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Penn State at Northwestern Betting Tips – Take Wildcats & Free Points In Friday College Football Clash

leigh-copson
Editor
Last updated: Mon 28 Sep 2026 09:59
Northwestern are favored to cover the spread as home underdogs against Penn State. The Wildcats, now 2-1 after a narrow loss to defending national champions Indiana, have performed strongly against the spread, covering in all three games this season and four of the past six meetings with Penn State. Meanwhile, Penn State enters the matchup coming off a disappointing home upset by Wisconsin and is yet to cover on the road this year. The recommendation is to back Northwestern and the points in this Big Ten clash.
Leigh Copson 1 hour ago
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  • Northwestern have covered the spread in all 3 games this season
  • Penn State comes off a shock home loss and hasn't covered on the road
  • Recommendation: Back Northwestern as confident home underdogs
(Getty Images)

Northwestern are tipped to cover as a betting underdog at home.

The Wildcats are off to an impressive start and put up a very credible performance in the one-score loss to Indiana, while Penn State just got embarrassed at home by Wisconsin. 

Key Numbers – Will Wildcats Maintain 100% Spread Record?

  • Northwestern have covered in all 3 games
  • Penn State failed to cover in their only road game so far
  • Northwestern have covered in 4 of the previous 6 meetings
  • The Under has cashed in 3 of the last 4 meetings

Penn State Lead All-Time Head-To-Head; Northwestern Won Last Meeting

  • Penn State leads the all-time series 16-6
  • Northwestern won 22-21 when the two teams last met in October 2025

Penn State 3-1 Following Shock Defeat

Penn State go into this game looking to rebound from a shock defeat that dropped them to 3-1.

The Nittany Lions opened the 2026 season at home to Marshall, and they posted a shutout as they won the matchup 45-0.

They backed that up in their road opener as they travelled to Temple and recorded a 27-9 victory.

Penn State made it three-in-a-row a week later, as they recorded another home blowout in the form of a 55-13 demolition of Buffalo.

However, the Nittany Lions' perfect start was brought to a shuddering halt in their Big Ten opener, as they suffered a 24-20 home defeat to Wisconsin.

Northwestern 2-1 After First Loss Of 2026

Northwestern enter this matchup on the back of their first defeat of the season, which dropped them to 2-1.

The Wildcats kicked off the campaign with back-to-back non-conference games at home, and ran out convincing winners in both.

They kicked things off with a 34-18 victory when they played host to South Dakota State.

Northwestern then followed that up with a 41-7 blowout of Colorado, before heading out on the road for their Big Ten opener.

The Wildcats could not have asked for a tougher conference opener, but they earned plenty of plaudits as they ran defending national champions Indiana close in a 29-23 defeat.

Verdict

Northwestern lost last weekend, but they were far from disgraced as they took defending national champions Indiana team to the wire.

They now face a Penn State team that just got embarrassed at home and are yet to cover on the road this season, so give us the confident Wildcats and the points.

Best Bet1: Northwestern +2.5 Spread @9/10 at bet365 - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Under 45.5 Total Points @9/10 at dabble - 3 Units
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leigh-copson
Leigh Copson

Sports Editor • 25+ Years Experience, US & Combat Sports Specialist

US sports writer covering the NFL, NBA, NHL, boxing and MMA, with previews, predictions and betting tips across the major American leagues.

During his career at the Press Association and online sports sites including FreeTips and ExpertPicks.com, he has covered some of the biggest sporting events on the planet, including the Super Bowl, the Champions League Final and the World Cup Final.

He has also covered almost every major boxing match and UFC fight card during this time.. His specialist sports are American Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Football.

Follow more of Leigh's work on Muckrack and connect with him on LinkedIn.

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