Penn State Football Kaytron Allen #13 and Caedan Wallace #73 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Penn State Football Opens a Favorite in Two Key Away Games, One Home Underdog

Originally posted on Nittany Central | Last updated 5/17/24

Penn State Football won’t kick off the 2024 season for several more months, and Penn State is focused on retaining its roster through the beginning of next season, but that hasn’t stopped Vegas from setting odds for pivotal matchups for the Nittany Lions next fall.

Earlier this offseason, FanDuel set the over/under for Penn State Football in 2024 at 9.5 wins, the same win total over/under as 2023.

Now, with almost four months until the 2024 season kicks off, DraftKings has set the line for three pivotal matchups for the Nittany Lions this fall.

Penn State Football AT USC: PSU -4.0

Penn State heads to USC to face the Trojans in the Nittany Lions’ first road test of the new Big Ten schedule in 2024.

USC had a horrific defense in 2023 which led to the Trojans winning only 8 games with the number one overall pick Caleb Williams and a historic offense. In 2024, the Trojans defense looks to be improved and Miller Moss steps in to lead the Trojan offense after a six-touchdown bowl performance.

Penn State opened as four-point favorites over the Trojans for the tilt at the Coliseum.

Penn State AT Wisconsin: PSU -6.5

Immediately after Penn State’s first Big Ten away game in 2024, the Lions will travel to Wisconsin to face the Badgers at Camp Randall.

In the Nittany Lions last trip to Wisconsin, Penn State escaped with a narrow season-opening win in 2021. This season, the Nittany Lions are nearly a touchdown favorite (Penn State -6.5) on the road against Luke Fickell and the Badgers in year two.

Penn State Football vs. Ohio State: PSU +3

Penn State Football Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin (right) shakes hands with Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day (Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports)

As usual, Penn State is a home underdog to the Ohio State Buckeyes this season.

The line is a very small three points at the moment for the pivotal matchup that may determine who represents the Big Ten in the Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis next season. The last time Penn State defeated Ohio State (2016) the Nittany Lions were a 19.5 point underdog.

So far, DraftKings has released the line for four Penn State games this fall, with Penn State being the favorite in three of the four.

In order to reach the expectation of a first College Football Playoff berth this fall, the Nittany Lions must avoid losing as an away favorite in the two key matchups against USC and Wisconsin.