One of the keys to Penn State’s success this season has been their play early in games. The ninth-ranked Nittany Lions are 17-3 when they lead at the half (3-2 when they do not) and have gone into nine consecutive intermissions ahead on the scoreboard, the last eight of those resulting in a victory.
But take a look at the Lions’ margin after 20 minutes in their last four home games:
+14
+14
+15
+14
That screams First Half Alternate Spread to us. And Parx has a -8.5 posted at +220, which seems just about perfect.
The Illini have not won a road game since before the Super Bowl and lost at Rutgers (17-0 at home) on Saturday.
We couldn’t find whether Illinois headed back to school after losing to the Scarlet Knights or stayed in the East, but either they (a) will be looking ahead to getting home or (b) will be staring at their fourth plane ride in six days.
Sounds like the Illini may be toast before the third TV timeout.
Penn State –
First Half -8.5 (+220) . . . $10/$22