Penn State is an early 18.5-point favorite in its season opener against West Virginia, set for Sept. 2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Although this game is more than six months away, it’s expected that Penn State will stay heavily favored until the game rolls around.
Penn State is coming off an 11-2 season that ended with a win over Utah in the Rose Bowl and No. 7 national ranking.
West Virginia is coming off a 5-7 year that ended with no bowl game and many fans wanting coach Neal Brown fired. Brown’s still the boss in Morgantown, and West Virginia is still picking up the pieces from what have been a rough past four years. Penn State football, on the other hand, is the healthiest it’s been in awhile. Many key contributors— including running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen and linebacker Abdul Carter— are set to return. People are also over the moon for the anticipated debut of Drew Allar as QB1. A lot can happen in six-plus months. But it looks like, on paper at least, this game will be a mismatch come September’s first Saturday.
The game could be a bloodbath. But its something that both fanbases are excited about.
Once upon a time, PSU and WVU were regional foes that played every season. But times changed.
The schools haven’t played since 1991. Penn State leads the all-time series 48-9-2. This year’s matchup will be round 1 of a home and home series that concludes with a game in Morgantown in 2024.
In other early betting line news, Penn State is an underdog in its games against Big Ten powers Ohio State (Oct. 21 in Columbus) and Michigan (Nov. 11 in Happy Valley).
