Free College Football Picks Today: Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Penn State Nittany Lions 11/19/22

The No. 11 Penn State University Nittany Lions (8-2, 5-2 Big 10) are on the road to take on Rutgers, The State University of N.J. Scarlet Knights (4-6, 1-6 Big 10), who will be out to snap their losing run, at SHI Stadium on Saturday.

The Nittany Lions are 19-point favorites, and the total is 45.Penn State is coming off a runaway 30-0 win over Maryland at Beaver Stadium last Saturday. Sean Clifford threw for 139 yards and a touchdown. Nicholas Singleton ran 11 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Theo Johnson caught three passes for 44 yards.

Rutgers dropped a third straight game last Saturday, falling 27-21 to Michigan State at Spartan Stadium. Gavin Wimsatt was 20 of 34 for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Kyle Monangai carried 24 times for 162 yards. Johnny Langan had five receptions for 73 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Nittany Lions won the only game between the teams last season, a 28-0 victory in November, their fifth straight win against Rutgers. Christian Veilleux threw three touchdowns for Penn State.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Nittany Lions are averaging 34.0 points per game for the season, 29th in FBS, and they are facing a Scarlet Knights defense that has surrendered 25.9 PPG (64th). Meanwhile, Rutgers has scored 19.9 points a game this season, 114th in the nation, and Penn State is allowing 19.0 PPG (16th).

The Nittany Lions rank 43rd in the country in passing yards per game (255.5) and 48th in rushing (178.8). They can expect a tough test through the air, as the Scarlet Knights are 20th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (187.0).

Against the run, Rutgers is 46th (134.4).Rutgers has been one of the nation’s least successful passing teams, averaging 164.0 passing yards per game (120th), while ranking 73rd in rushing yards (144.3). The Nittany Lions are allowing 218.9 passing yards (54th) and 120.4 rushing yards per game (26th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through 10 games, Sean Clifford has thrown for 17 touchdowns (7 INT) and 218.4 yards per game to lead Penn State in passing. In four away games this season, he has four TDs (2 INT) and an average of 202.2 yards passing.

Nicholas Singleton leads the team in rushing with an average of 80.1 yards a game over 10 games. He has 10 touchdowns on the ground. Parker Washington is the Nittany Lions’ leading receiver with 61.1 yards a game and two TDs.

Evan Simon has four passing touchdowns (6 INT) with 123.3 yards per game through six games to lead Rutgers. In three home games this season, he has thrown for three TDs (5 INT) and an average of 183.7 yards.

Kyle Monangai has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 39.1 yards a game through 10 games. He has two touchdowns. Aron Cruickshank has been a key target in the Scarlet Knights’ passing game. He has two touchdowns and a 36.2 yard per game average through 10 appearances.