Northwestern’s new stadium in Evanston, IL got almost as much discussion as the game itself. Colby called it “just a soccer stadium,” like an MLS venue, complete with a noise ordinance that has the guys wondering if the crowd gets shut down after the third quarter. Kickoff for Penn State at Northwestern is Friday, October 2 at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET, with Penn State favored by 2.5. That setting didn’t stop the guys from splitting on this one, discussed on the College Football Picks Week 5 episode: two on the home dog, one staying with the bounce-back favorite.
Penn State vs Northwestern Odds
Penn State is favored on the road at -2.5, with the total set at 45.5.
Our Picks
- Ryan Kramer (@KramerCentric): Northwestern +2.5
- Sean Green (@SeanTGreen): Penn State -2.5
- Colby Dant (@thecolbyd): Northwestern +2.5
Colby led with the stadium, not the numbers, before getting to the football: Penn State blew a big lead last week, and its offense managed only 233 yards at home against Wisconsin. Sean answered with Penn State’s defense, number one in the nation on third down even with its red-zone problems, and pointed out Northwestern has covered every single game, which to him means they’re due for a letdown. Colby wasn’t moved. He’s watched three of Northwestern’s games and thinks they look good.
Ryan joined Colby on his own Chip Kelly theory: Kelly, he said, is “much, much better at maximizing lesser talent than he is working with the top talent,” and Northwestern is a perfect spot for him. Add a home dog on a Friday night and a Penn State program “in shambles,” and Ryan was in. Sean stayed put, trusting the gambling gods to balance things out and taking Penn State to bounce back in a short number.
Hear the full breakdown on the College Football Picks Week 5 episode, or listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Watch every game on YouTube, and download the SGPN app at sg.pn/links. See all our College Football Picks.
