2024 Penn State Nittany Lions College Football Betting
Penn State head coach James Franklin is known derisively as “Big Game James.” That is because Franklin struggles against the Big Ten’s top teams. Penn State has been able to dominate most of the Big Ten on a consistent basis. But their perpetual failures against Ohio State and Michigan have become a source of frustration in Happy Valley. In 2021, Franklin was touted to be the man who would save the USC Trojans. It was the latest of many silly season rumors that had become an annual irritant to Penn State. To shut down the future speculation, Penn State signed Franklin to a long-term contract. But while Franklin has been a good coach, he has not been close to a national championship.
College Football Futures Lines
2024 Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Preview
The last time he replaced both offensive and defensive coordinators in the same offseason, coach James Franklin led Penn State to the 2016 Big Ten title. There are no promises toward a repeat, but there is promise. The Big Ten is in flux, and the Nittany Lions return an experienced roster. The development of quarterback Drew Allar and the receiving corps under new coordinator Andy Kotelnicki could hold the key to the '24 season. After missing every College Football Playoff in the four-team era, Penn State should host a game this December in the inaugural 12-team version.
After a season in which Penn State averaged 36.2 points per game overall but 13.5 against Ohio State and Michigan, James Franklin pried offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas. He gave him a primary mission: Score points against the schedule’s best teams.
Kotelnicki’s offense thrives with creative formations, motions, and shifts, which is good news for quarterback Drew Allar. The junior was among the safest bets in college football last season, with his 25:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. But Franklin wants more than a safe bet.
Penn State allowed the fewest total yards and fewest yards per play in 2023 while also posting the most sacks, so new coordinator Tom Allen has a high bar to clear. Allen shifted 6-foot-3, 250-pound linebacker Abdul Carter from linebacker to end, a move Carter suggested. Carter will team with Dani Dennis-Sutton to form an imposing edge threat. Carter and Dennis-Sutton combined for eight sacks last season.
2024 Penn State Nittany Lions Football Schedule
| DATE |
OPPONENT |
SCORE |
RECORD |
| Aug 31 |
at West Virginia |
- |
- |
| Sep 7 |
vs. Bowling Green |
- |
- |
| Sep 14 |
OFF |
| Sep 21 |
vs. Kent State |
- |
- |
| Sep 28 |
vs. Illinois |
- |
- |
| Oct 5 |
vs. UCLA |
- |
- |
| Oct 12 |
at USC |
- |
- |
| Oct 19 |
OFF |
| Oct 26 |
at Wisconsin |
- |
- |
| Nov 2 |
vs. Ohio State |
- |
- |
| Nov 9 |
vs. Washington |
- |
- |
| Nov 16 |
at Purdue |
- |
- |
| Nov 23 |
at Minnesota |
- |
- |
| Nov 30 |
vs. Maryland |
- |
- |
The Penn State Nittany Lions have a troubled history of triumph and tragedy. And most of it is tied to the late head coach Joe Paterno.
Penn State won its only two national championships under Paterno in 1982 and 1986. Additionally, the Nittany Lions had three other unclaimed nattys under Joe Pa. Paterno won four Big Ten titles after moving his program into that league after decades in independent status.
Paterno went 409-136-3 at Penn State but was forced out in disgrace. In 2011, Penn State had a sexual abuse scandal blow up on the national news. It regarded former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky raping boys.
Paterno admitted he should have done more about the situation when he learned of it. Although he reported what he knew to his superiors, he did not follow up. A cover-up ensued, and Paterno’s career and reputation were ruined.
Great former Penn State players include John Cappelletti, Mike Reid, Chuck Fusina, Kerry Collins, LaVar Arrington, Shane Conlan, Jack Ham, Lydell Mitchell, Curt Warner, and Larry Johnson.
The Nittany Lions have had a long tradition of being “Linebacker U.” Penn State has been a perennial power in that position.
Since 2014, James Franklin has been the head coach of the Nittany Lions. He led Penn State to the 2016 Big Ten title and won the Rose Bowl in the 2022 season. Penn State has finished in the Top Ten four times under Franklin. Still, Nittany Lion fans want more, and Franklin continues to frustrate them with seasons that are often close but with no cigar.
2024-2025 College Football Schedule
Log into BookMaker Sportsbook and get the best NCAA Football Betting Odds, NCAA Football Betting Articles and information about this and all other sports betting events!
