Penn State Football vs. Kent State Week 4 Betting Preview and Prediction

Penn State Football is a huge 7-touchdown favorite to come out of its bye week with a decisive victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes.

We take a look at the point spread, top players, and key stats, and we give our prediction for the final score.

PENN STATE FOOTBALL VS. KENT STATE

WEEK 4 BETTING LINE

Penn State Football
Sep 7, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Bowling Green Falcons at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Bowling Green 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

Point spread: Penn State -49. Money line: Off. Over/under: 55.5.

Penn State key numbers

Season record: 2-0 (0-0 Big Ten). Against the spread: 1-1. Scoring offense: 34.0 ppg (No. 44 nationally). Scoring defense: 19.5 ppg (No. 56). Passing offense: 219.5 ypg (No. 77). Rushing offense: 228.0 ypg (No. 23). Third downs (offense): 35.0% (No. 97). Third downs (defense): 39.3% (No. 90). Time of possession: 29:13 (No. 85).

Kent State key numbers

Season record: 0-3 (0-0 MAC). Against the spread: 0-3. Scoring offense: 13.7 ppg (No. 127). Scoring defense: 49.7 ppg (No. 133). Passing offense: 147.0 ypg (No. 123). Rushing offense: 54.3 ypg (No. 131). Third downs (offense): 16.7% (No. 133). Third downs (defense): 50.0% (No. 124). Time of possession: 28:46 (No. 91).

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PENN STATE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Penn State Football, Quinton Martin
Apr 13, 2024; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Quinton Martin Jr (25) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The White team defeated the Blue team 27-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

RB Nick Singleton: Singleton could go for 200-plus if the O-line opens the same lanes as Tennessee’s did last weekend. Also feels like a game where Cam Wallace and Quinton Martin get long looks.

Safety Dejuan Lane: The true freshman’s time is now, whether he’s ready or not, with K.J. Winston out with a long-term injury, per James Franklin. Coaches seem to love his make-up and maturity as a rookie.

KENT STATE PLAYERS TO WATCH

QB JD Sherrod: The only player performance of note in that 71-0 loss to Tennessee belonged to this redshirt freshman and Troy transfer. After rushing seven times for 56 yards, coaches could be eager to see more this week.

RB Ky Thomas: A former Minnesota Golden Gopher who rushed for 824 yards and scored seven total touchdowns as a freshman in 2021. He’s off to a slow start at Kent State with 36 rushes for 89 yards in three games.

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KEY THEMES

Safety plan: With K.J. Winston out, DeJuan Lane figures to lead a group auditioning for bigger roles at the safety spot. Franklin also said this week that Jaylen Reed will have to play a more traditional safety spot until depth develops and he could potentially move closer to the line of scrimmage.

PSU on Backup Watch: If Penn State can execute better early against Kent State, the possibilities are strong that we’re looking at a bunch of good developmental snaps. Among those we’d like to see: RB Quinton Martin, LB Ta’Mere Robinson and OL Cooper Cousins.

PREDICTION

Penn State keeps firing and making chunk plays happen on the ground. That’ll drive a rebound performance that could also see the Lions’ backups manhandle the Golden Flashes as well. The pick: PSU 63, Kent State 3.

MORE: Penn State Fans Should Take it Upon Themselves and Hold Second White Out

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