West Virginia vs Penn State Week 1 Betting Predictions

West Virginia vs Penn State Week 1 Betting Predictions

Deborah
Date: September 2, 7:30 pm
Location: Beaver Stadium
TV: NBC

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Penn State -21
Total: 48.5

West Virginia Mountaineers are road-tripping to square off against the Penn State Nittany Lions on September 2, 2023, at Beaver Stadium. Bet365 sets the stage with Penn State as -21 point spread favorites and a total line at 48.5.

Comprehensive Statistical Analysis

Overall Team Stats (Last Season)

  • West Virginia (WVU)
    • Points/Game: 27.5 (#63)
    • Yards/Game: 378.5 (#67)
  • Penn State (PSU)
    • Points/Game: 35.8 (#15)
    • Yards/Game: 433.8 (#32)

🎯 Edge: Penn State clearly has the advantage in both scoring and offensive yards.

Yards Per Point, Pass, and Rush

  • WVU: Yards/Play: 5.2 (#83)
  • PSU: Yards/Play: 6.1 (#26)

🎯 Edge: Penn State dominates in offensive efficiency, converting yards to points more effectively.

Conversion and Scoring Percentages (Last Season)

  • WVU
    • 3rd Down Conversion %: 39.51% (#52)
    • Red Zone Scoring %: 89.47% (#19)
  • PSU
    • 3rd Down Conversion %: 37.78% (#76)
    • Red Zone Scoring %: 89.80% (#17)

🎯 Edge: West Virginia holds a slight advantage in 3rd down conversions, while both are equally effective in the Red Zone.

Turnovers and Penalties (Last Season)

  • WVU
    • Turnover Margin/Game: -0.8 (#124)
    • Penalties/Game: 6.5 (#87)
  • PSU
    • Turnover Margin/Game: +0.9 (#6)
    • Penalties/Game: 5.3 (#37)

🎯 Edge: Penn State, with a far better turnover margin and fewer penalties, has the clear upper hand here.

Kicking and Other Metrics (Last Season)

  • WVU: FG Conversion %: 92.86% (#9)
  • PSU: FG Conversion %: 72.22% (#79)

🎯 Edge: WVU takes this one. If it comes down to kicking, WVU is the better bet.

Additional Categories

Betting Odds Trends

  • Penn State Nittany Lions
    • 6-0-1 ATS in its last 7 games
    • 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
  • West Virginia Mountaineers
    • 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
    • 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

🎯 Edge: Penn State, again, looks stronger based on recent betting trends.

Team Last 5 Games

  • West Virginia Mountaineers: 2 Wins, 3 Losses
  • Penn State Nittany Lions: 5 Wins

🎯 Edge: Penn State, riding a 5-game winning streak, has momentum on their side.

WVU at PSU Free Picks

  1. PSU -21: With Penn State's statistical and trend advantages, this looks like a solid bet.
  2. UNDER 48.5: Recent trends and defensive stats suggest a lower-scoring affair.
  3. Penn State Moneyline: Given PSU's strong ATS and SU records, this is a safer bet.
Free Pick: Take Penn State -21 and the Under 48.5
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