Penn State cannot help but be thinking about next week’s colossal matchup with Ohio State and, on a late weeknight conference game on the road, is vulnerable to a mini-scare. Illinois coach Lovie Smith’s track record as a big underdog is impressive, and he welcomes back five players coming off three-game suspensions. The Nittany Lions are explosive, favoring long-distance touchdowns, so the Illini defense will be geared toward preventing big gains. Take the points Friday.

My projections see the high-powered Lions beating the Illini by at least 30 points in the majority of simulations, providing a cover of the massive number by the road favorite. look for Heisman candidate Trace McSorley to have another huge game, with at least 250 passing yards and two touchdowns. Illinois has been known to be stubborn as a home underdog but could be in a letdown spot Friday after they battled South Florida to the wire last week, but eventually fell 25-19 as a two-touchdown home underdog.