Huntington Bank Stadium transforms into the battleground where history meets high stakes in Week 13. The fourth-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions clash with the determined Minnesota Golden Gophers in a game loaded with implications.
For Penn State, this is far more than just another matchup—it’s a defining moment in their pursuit of greatness. Boasting a 9-1 record, with their lone stumble coming against Ohio State, the Nittany Lions remain firmly in the hunt for a College Football Playoff berth. Two more victories could cement their spot among the nation’s elite.
Dive deeper into this pivotal showdown with our Penn State vs. Minnesota prediction and preview.
Penn State vs. Minnesota Betting Preview
All Penn State vs. Minnesota odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. The CFN spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Penn State -8.5 - Spread
Penn State -11.5 - Moneyline
Penn State -425, Minnesota +330 - Over/Under
45 points - Game time
3:30 p.m. ET - Location
Huntington Bank Stadium | Minneapolis - Predicted Weather at Kick
36 degrees, mostly cloudy, 8 mph winds - How To Watch
CBS
Penn State opened as a 10-point favorite, and that number has already climbed as high as -13, but some action on the underdog Gophers has dropped it back to -12. This number is likely to see more movement before kickoff on Saturday.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
The total opened at 47.5 and has fallen to 45, where it currently stands. It hasn’t drifted outside of those two numbers and is likely to remain within a point of 45.5.
Penn State’s Winning Probability
According to CFN’s Football Playoff Meter, the Nittany Lions have a 74.5% chance of defeating the Gophers on Saturday.
If the win probabilities hold, Penn State will finish 11-1 and earn a spot in the first-ever 12-team college football playoff. This would mark the fourth time in 11 seasons under James Franklin that Penn State has won 11 games.
- at Minnesota: 74.5%
- vs. Maryland: 95.1%
Minnesota’s Winning Probability
According to the FPM, Minnesota has a 25.5% chance of defeating Penn State on Saturday.
If the win probabilities hold, the Golden Gophers will finish 6-6, but their road finale at rival Wisconsin sits as a true coin flip. Either way, Minnesota will be bowl-eligible for the fourth straight season under P.J. Fleck. The Gophers have been 7-0 in their last seven bowl appearances.
- vs. Penn State 25.4%
- at Wisconsin: 49.2%
Prediction for Penn State vs. Minnesota
The Penn State Nittany Lions have been a powerhouse this season, roaring to seven straight wins to kick off their campaign. They breezed past West Virginia, Bowling Green, and Kent State before dismantling Big Ten foes Illinois, UCLA, USC, and Wisconsin.
After a stumble against Ohio State, Penn State wasted no time getting back on track, delivering a decisive win over Washington.
Last weekend, the Nittany Lions showcased their dominance with a commanding 49-10 blowout against Purdue. Drew Allar turned in a stellar performance, throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns, while Tyler Warren was unstoppable as a dual threat, amassing 63 rushing yards and 127 receiving yards, each capped off with a score.
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Minnesota, now 6-4, fields a defense ranked fifth in the Big Ten, allowing just 17.7 points per game. However, the Golden Gophers hit a snag last week in a 26-19 loss to Rutgers. Despite their strong defensive effort, the Gophers’ run game faltered, managing a mere 35 rushing yards and falling short in the end.
Historically, Penn State has controlled this matchup, winning 10 of the 16 meetings, including a decisive 45-17 victory two years ago. On Saturday, Minnesota will aim to slow the game down with their defense and deliberate ground attack.
The Gophers have the defensive talent to challenge Penn State and keep things competitive, potentially creating hurdles for the Nittany Lions. While Penn State remains the clear favorite, Minnesota’s ability to disrupt the tempo makes them an intriguing pick to cover the spread.
Prediction: Penn State 27, Minnesota 17
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