The No. 9 Penn State University Nittany Lions (10-2, 4-1 Away) travel to face the No. 7 University of Utah Utes (10-3, 6-0 Home) at Rose Bowl on Monday. The Utes are two-point favorites, and the total is 52.5.
Penn State is coming off an impressive 35-16 win over Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on November 26, their fourth consecutive victory. Sean Clifford was 19 of 24 for 202 yards and four touchdowns. Kaytron Allen ran 21 times for 82 yards.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith caught five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. Utah beat No. 4 USC 47-24 at Allegiant Stadium on December 2. Cameron Rising threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns. Ja’Quinden Jackson carried 13 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Money Parks added a touchdown of his own. He had four receptions for 88 yards.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Nittany Lions are averaging 35.8 points per game for the season, 20th in FBS, and they are facing a Utes defense that has surrendered 20.4 PPG (25th). Meanwhile, Utah has scored 40.0 points a game this season, seventh in the nation, and Penn State is allowing 18.0 PPG (10th).
The Nittany Lions rank 48th in the nation in passing yards per game (250.3) and 46th in rushing (182.1). They will face a tough test on the ground, as the Utes are 16th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (107.0).
Against the pass, Utah is 60th (218.3).Utah has been one of the nation’s top rushing teams, averaging 220.3 yards per game (10th), while ranking 46th in passing yards (252.5). Penn State’s defense has been equally impressive on the ground, as the Nittany Lions are 14th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (105.1). Against the pass, the Nittany Lions are 52nd (212.8).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through 12 games, Sean Clifford has thrown for 22 touchdowns (7 INT) and 211.9 yards per game to lead Penn State in passing. In five games away from home this season, he has five TDs (2 INT) and an average of 193.2 yards passing.
Nicholas Singleton leads the team in rushing with an average of 78.4 yards a game over 12 games. He has 10 touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Parker Washington is the Nittany Lions’ leading receiver with 61.1 yards a game and two TDs.
Cameron Rising has 25 passing touchdowns (7 INT) with 244.9 yards per game through 12 games to lead Utah. Tavion Thomas has been the team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 68.7 yards a game through 10 games.
He has seven touchdowns. Dalton Kincaid has been a key target in the Utes’ aerial attack. He has eight touchdowns and a 74.2 yard per game average through 12 appearances.
HOME AND AWAY
Utah is looking to remain unbeaten at home this season in six games.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Utah (+100)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our college football hub page for all your college football needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
