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ASAwins – Penn State +240 to Win the Big Ten: 2025 Sports Betting Preview

Penn State enters the 2025 college football season as a legitimate contender for the Big Ten title, with odds of +240 and a chance to more than double our investment. The Lions have a strong roster, favorable schedule, and elite coaching staff. With one of the deepest teams in the nation, a proven track record under head coach James Franklin, and key additions to the coaching staff, the Nittany Lions are well-positioned to make a run at the conference crown and a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP).

Why Bet on Penn State at +240?

1. Elite Roster Depth and Returning Talent – Penn State boasts one of the most talented and experienced rosters in college football for 2025. The Nittany Lions return key players at nearly every position, including quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, and a stout offensive line with four returning starters. Defensively, they return starters at all three levels, including star defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton and cornerback A.J. Harris.

Running Back Duo: Singleton and Allen form the nation’s premier backfield, both surpassing 1,000 rushing yards in 2024 (Singleton: 1,099 yards, 12 TDs; Allen: 1,108 yards, 8 TDs). ESPN ranks them as the No. 2 and No. 3 running backs in college football for 2025, respectively. Their complementary styles—Singleton’s explosive speed and Allen’s physical, chain-moving power—make them a nightmare for opposing defenses. Both are also effective in the passing game, with Singleton recording 375 receiving yards and 5 TDs in 2024.

Offensive Line: Penn State returns four of five starters on the offensive line, including tackles Drew Shelton and Anthony Donkoh, guard Vega Ioane, and center Nick Dawkins. This unit allowed just 8 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2024 while paving the way for 3,237 rushing yards. Their experience and cohesion should provide ample protection for Allar and open lanes for Singleton and Allen.

Quarterback Stability: Drew Allar, a former five-star recruit, returns for his senior season after showing improvement in 2024 under offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. Allar’s health and decision-making will be critical, but with a strong supporting cast, he’s poised for a breakout year.

Transfer Portal Additions: Penn State addressed its wide receiver struggles by adding Devonte Ross, Kyron Hudson, and Trebor Peña via the transfer portal. These additions provide Allar with reliable targets, potentially elevating the passing game.

2. Proven Track Record Under James Franklin – Franklin’s tenure at Penn State has been marked by consistent success, with a 101-42 record (.706 winning percentage) and seven top-12 CFP rankings in the last nine seasons. Since 2016, Penn State is 82-12 straight-up (SU) as a favorite, with an average margin of victory of +21 points per game (PPG). This is a critical stat, as the Nittany Lions are projected to be favored in every game except their road matchup against Ohio State.

Recent Success: In 2024, Penn State reached the Big Ten Championship Game and secured two CFP victories, finishing with a 12-2 record.

However, Franklin’s 1-15 SU record against Top 5 teams is a concern. The Ohio State game looms large, but the Buckeye’s face a tougher schedule and will likely have to win in Michigan in their final game of the season.

3. Favorable 2025 Schedule – Penn State’s path to the Big Ten title is manageable, with only one projected underdog game (at Ohio State). Key games include:

Home vs. Oregon: A marquee matchup that could decide the Big Ten pecking order. Playing at Beaver Stadium, where Penn State is 45-5 SU since 2016, gives them a significant edge. The Lions also get Nebraska at home who is the only other preseason Top 25 team on their schedule.

The Lions avoid Michigan and USC which are two major obstacles avoided on their way to a Big Ten Championship.

4. Elite Coaching Staff – Penn State’s coaching staff is among the best in college football, with offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles leading the charge.

Andy Kotelnicki (Offense): In his second year at Penn State, Kotelnicki has transformed the offense into a dynamic unit. In 2024, Penn State ranked first in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (over 200 YPG), thanks to Kotelnicki’s creative play-calling and utilization of Singleton and Allen. His Kansas offense in 2023 averaged 206 rushing yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry, and with a more talented roster in 2025, expect similar production. Kotelnicki’s ability to incorporate tight ends and running backs into the passing game could offset the loss of star tight end Tyler Warren.

Jim Knowles (Defense): Knowles, hired from Ohio State, brings a proven track record of elite defensive performance. In 2024, his Ohio State defense led the nation, allowing just 264 yards per game (YPG) and 12.9 PPG. Knowles’ aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme should mesh well with Penn State’s talented front seven, led by Dennis-Sutton (4.5 sacks in 2024 CFP games) and emerging linebacker Tony Rojas (58 tackles, 3 INTs in 2024). Knowles’ defenses have ranked first in the nation for four consecutive years, and Penn State’s 2024 defense already ranked No. 17 in rushing defense.

5. Did we forget to mention the defense? – Penn State returns 70% of its defensive production from 2024, including key contributors like safety Jaylen Reed (98 tackles, 3 INTs) and defensive tackle Zane Durant (42 tackles, 11 TFL). The addition of transfers like Michigan’s Owen Wafle and Texas A&M’s Enai White bolsters the defensive line.

6. Betting Value at +240 – At +240, Penn State offers strong value compared to favorites like Ohio State (-110) and Oregon (+200). The Nittany Lions’ depth, coaching, and schedule give them a realistic path to 11 or 12 wins, which could be enough to win the Big Ten, especially if they upset Ohio State on the road. The +240 odds imply a 28.6% chance of winning the Big Ten, but Penn State’s metrics suggest their true probability is closer to 33-35%, making this a value bet.

Key Stats Recap

Franklin’s Record: 101-42 at Penn State, 125-57 overall.

As Favorite: 82-12 SU since 2016, +21 PPG average margin.

Running Backs: Singleton (1,099 yards, 12 TDs) and Allen (1,108 yards, 8 TDs) in 2024.

Offensive Line: 4 returning starters, allowed 8 sacks in 2024.

Knowles’ Defense (2024 at Ohio State): 264 YPG, 12.9 PPG, No. 1 nationally.

2024 Team Stats: No. 1 in Big Ten rushing (200+ YPG), No. 17 rushing defense nationally.

With a loaded roster, elite coaching, and a favorable schedule, Penn State is poised for a breakout season. Bet on the Nittany Lions to roar in 2025.