Penn State Odds: Maryland Spread is Out

Originally posted on Nittany Sports Now | By Joe Smeltzer | Last updated Nov 24, 2024 8:47 PM ET

In the wonderful land of odds, Penn State has one more game before it can rightfully claim a College Football Playoff spot, and the betting line is in for that game.

Considering Penn State is 10-1 and ranked No. 4 while Maryland is 4-7 and ranked nowhere, many expected Penn State to be a massive favorite.

This is exactly the case. Penn State is a 24.5-point favorite for its regular season finale per DraftKings Sportsbook.

Since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014– which is also the first year James Franklin spent as Penn State’s coach— the Terps have just two wins over Penn State in 10 tries. One of them was over Franklin’s first Penn State team in 2014. The other was during the wild COVID year of 2020. Maryland hasn’t beaten a top Penn State team.

‘NOW WE’VE GOT BAD BLOOD’

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 16: Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin on the sidelines during the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Penn State Nittany Lions on November 16, 2024, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire)

God only knows if Franklin listens to Taylor Swift, but regardless, her 2015 hit may be applicable to how the coach feels about Maryland. Franklin was an assistant there for a total of eight seasons over two separate stints (2000-04, 2008-10). By 2010, Franklin was Maryland’s assistant head coach. But when head coach Ralph Fridgen was fired, Franklin was passed over for the Maryland job. He ended up going to Vanderbilt, and the rest of history.

So does Franklin have hard feelings toward Maryland? Maybe. Maybe not. What’s a proven fact, though, is that five of Franklin’s eight wins against Maryland have been by 30 points or more.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 23: Penn State Nittany Lions celebrate with the trophy after the college football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 23rd, 2024, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire)

It’s quite simple. If Penn State beats Maryland, it will punch its ticket to the College Football Playoff and likely host a game. If it loses, that won’t happen. It’s all scheduled to begin at 3:30 on the Big Ten Network. Odds are, Penn State will win.

Penn State has won 10 games three years in a row for the first time since 1980-82.

This article first appeared on Nittany Sports Now and was syndicated with permission.

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