Penn State vs. Purdue picks, predictions: Who wins Week 1 college football game?
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The Penn State Nittany Lions and Purdue Boilermakers play Thursday in a Week 1 college football game.
Which team will win the game?
Check out these picks and predictions for the game, which is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. MST and can be seen on Fox.
Penn State is a 3.5-point favorite in the game, according to Tipico Sportsbook.
College football Week 1 picks, predictions:
Fansided: Lean with Purdue with the points vs. Penn State
Reed Wallach writes: "This should be a strong Purdue team based on preseason expectations. The team has a win total of 7.5, but can the team make up for the loss of do-it-all receiver David Bell (93 catches, 1,286 yards last season)? The Boilermakers bring back Aidan O'Connell under center, who passed for 3,712 yards last season, but there are questions as to who he is passing and handing it off to. Penn State returns quarterback Sean Clifford, who was banged up for most of the second half of the season, but the team must also replace an NFL receiver in Jahan Dotson. So while both offenses have returning quarterbacks, there are question marks."
Pac-12 football Week 1 picks, predictions:
Sports Chat Place: Take Purdue with the points against Penn State
Randy Chambers writes: "The Penn State Nittany Lions are getting all the hype in this game because of their returning starters and their name brand. Many believe this is going to be a big year for the Nittany Lions. However, the Purdue Boilermakers have been an improved program over the last few years and the talent level has improved. O’Connell is far from a pushover, and the Boilermakers defense could surprise some folks. This is a big opening contest, and it can be tough to start the season in a tough environment. Purdue should be up to the ask to make this thing competitive. I’ll take a shot with the home dog in a big, big Thursday night spot."
More: Pac-12 football Week 1 picks, predictions: Oregon vs. Georgia, Utah vs. Florida key games
College Football News: Penn State 30, Purdue 24
Pete Fiutak writes: "Is the Purdue offense going to keep up the momentum from the second half of last season when it ripped through everyone? QB Aidan O’Connell and the passing game will always seem like they’re in control, right up until the moment they’re not. The Penn State defense will come up with a few big stops late – and Clifford will hit on the one big deep shot – to pull this off. It won’t be a pretty win, but it’s the Big Ten road opener – take it and get out no matter how it looks."
The Sports Geek: Penn State 27, Purdue 20
It writes: "Do-it-all wide receiver David Bell was selected in the third round of the NFL draft. He racked up 1,286 yards last year and was O’Connell’s favorite weapon in the offense. Bell is gone while his second target, Milton Wright, is academically ineligible. Wright accounted for 732 yards and 7 touchdowns and was expected to be the next No. 1 at Purdue. O’Connell will target his trusty tight ends, but the receivers are largely made up of transfers. This isn’t the best formula for success against a talented Penn State defense. Expect Penn State to make a critical stop late to leave Purdue with a 27-20 win."
More: Pac-12 football Week 1 odds: Point spreads, money lines, over/under for conference games
Predictem.com: Take Purdue to upset Penn State
Jay Horne writes: "Again, I think early season games can be tricky, especially until teams understand what they have on the field. When I handicap early games, I always look for paths to victory. In my opinion, I believe Purdue has the most paths to victory in this game primarily because of the play of the offense. Penn State is going to need to show improvement, and I’m not convinced they will get that type of improvement out of the gates. I’m taking the Boilermakers for the outright victory. The points are just extra!"
Big on Sports: Penn State will cover against Purdue in Week 1
George Newman writes: "After their surprising last season Purdue won’t be overlooked by anyone. And with additional time to prepare for the offense they’re about to face, the Lions will be ready. They won’t stop O’Connell and the Boilermakers from scoring some points, but they will come up with key stops allowing them to overcome the home team in what should be a high scoring affair."
More: Pac-12 football Week 1 schedule: Game dates, times, television channels, how to watch
ESPN: Penn State has a 60.2% chance to win the game vs. Purdue
The site gives Purdue a 39.8% shot at picking up the victory in the Week 1 college football game.
Odds Shark: Purdue 28.9, Penn State 27.5
The site predicts that the Boilermakers will win the game and that the total will go over.
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Penn State vs. Purdue football picks, predictions Week 1 college game
