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Penn State-Ilinois game day essentials: Can the Lions take care of the road-tested Illini?

Penn State-Ilinois game day essentials: Can the Lions take care of the road-tested Illini?

Vaseline 1 month ago

Penn State’s Nov. 2 Big Ten showdown with Ohio State at Beaver Stadium is the biggest home Saturday on the Nittany Lions’ schedule.

Today feels like second place when it comes to the big Saturdays in State College.

James Franklin’s undefeated Nittany Lions versus one of the conference’s first surprise teams, undefeated Illinois.

It will also sell out with “White Out Energy”.

And it’s coming home.

Additionally, Penn State will honor the Lions’ 1994 national championship team.

What more could a PSU fan want? (Here’s a hint: a win.)

No. No. 9 PENN STATE (3-0) vs. No. 19 ILLINOIS (4-0, 1-0)

Kick-off: Tonight at 7:30 PM at Beaver Stadium.

TV: NBC (Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge and Kathryn Tappen).

Radio: Penn State Radio Network (Steve Jones, Jack Ham and Brian Tripp).

Web: GoPSUSports.com.

Spread/total: Oddsmakers favor Penn State by 18 points. The total is 48.

Blauw-Wit Breakdown podcasts: How good is Luke Altmyer? James Franklin praises WRs; Can Illinois stun Penn State again at Beaver Stadium?

Required reading for Penn State fans: PennLive’s Johnny McGonigal on PSU’s undefeated 1994 team and the national championship that came away.

Series: Penn State leads 21-6.

Last meeting: Penn State defeated Illinois 30-13 in Champaign in 2023.

Last week: Penn State shutout Kent State 56-0 at Beaver Stadium; Illinois defeated Nebraska 31-24 in overtime in Lincoln.

Key concerns about PSU injuries: TE Andrew Rappleyea (undisclosed injury) and S Kevin Winston Jr. (undisclosed) are disabled indefinitely; LB Dom DeLuca’s status (undisclosed) is uncertain.

Did you know? Penn State will play at home in its Big Ten opener for the first time since 2015.

He said it: “I know no one can run with me. If it’s one on one, they better pray or something. – Penn State clears Omari Evans on its ability to expand the field.

Prediction: Penn State 27, Illinois 20.