Get ready for Week 4 of Penn State football with picks, rosters, notable games and more

Matt Hymowitz
·3 min read

After a big road win, Penn State returns home this week to wrap up the nonconference schedule

The 3-0 Nittany Lions will host 1-2 Central Michigan, out of the MAC, at noon at Beaver Stadium.

The teams are playing for the second time; Penn State won the previous matchup in 2005 by the score of 40-3. The Nittany Lions are 31-2 all time against MAC teams.

Central Michigan is coming off a 41-0 home win against Bucknell. The Chippewas began the season with losses to Oklahoma State and South Alabama. Jim McElwain is in his fourth season as head coach at Central Michigan, where he is 21-15.

Penn State will honor the 1982 national championship team Saturday. The Nittany Lions defeated Georgia in the Sugar Bowl to win their first national championship. Michael Zordich, who was on that team, will return to Beaver Stadium as Central Michigan’s defensive backs coach.

The game will be broadcast on BTN, with some familiar faces on the call. Mark Followill will be joined by analyst Matt Millen and sideline reporter Matt McGloin.

Game conditions should be pleasant, with mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the mid-60s.

Picking this week’s games

Josh Moyer has the best overall record of the CDT’s game pickers after going 9-1 last week. This week, the group expects Penn State to cruise to victory, and all picked Ohio State, Kansas, Baylor and Texas to win.

Check out the full slate of picks below:

Picks
Picks

Week 4 games: How to watch

This week’s Big Ten action began Thursday, when Illinois hosted Chattanooga, while the rest of the conference’s teams will play Saturday. Here’s a look at those matchups, plus some others to watch.

  • Maryland at Michigan, noon (Fox)

  • Clemson at Wake Forest, noon (ABC)

  • Baylor at Iowa State, noon (ESPN2)

  • Florida at Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. (CBS)

  • Minnesota at Michigan State, 3:30 p.m. (BTN)

  • Texas at Texas Tech, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)

  • Indiana at Cincinnati, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

  • Notre Dame at North Carolina, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)

  • Oregon at Washington State, 4 p.m. (Fox)

  • Arkansas at Texas A&M, 7 p.m. (ESPN)

  • Iowa at Rutgers, 7 p.m. (FS1)

  • Wisconsin at Ohio State, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)

  • Florida Atlantic at Purdue, 7:30 p.m. (BTN)

  • Miami (Ohio) at Northwestern, 7:30 p.m. (BTN)

  • Kansas State at Oklahoma, 8 p.m. (Fox)

  • USC at Oregon State, 9:30 p.m. (Pac-12)

Penn State schedule/results

Schedule
Schedule

Penn State roster

Central Michigan roster

What to know before kickoff

Around the conferences: Big Ten RB tradition alive and well | ACC off to strong start | Big 12 teams finding identities | SEC breakthrough

Future opponents: Minnesota’s Autman-Bell needs season-ending surgery | Northwestern hosting Redhawks

Picks: SEC test for A&M; Hoops powers clash

Analysis: Venues, dates, TV, NFL: How to assemble CFP expansion puzzle

Redevelopment: Nebraska takes step to creating Memorial Stadium of future | Iowa St. announces ‘CYTown’ mixed-use development