Simulation Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Understanding Public and Money
Read More
Expert Picks
Go ahead and think of an important player on Penn State. They aren't playing today. Seriously, aside from Sean Clifford, the Nittany Lions will be without nearly all of their key players. Jahan Dotson is the team's release valve on offense, and he's sitting this one out, alongside nearly every difference maker on the Penn State defense. The Razorbacks will be without stud receiver Treylon Burks, but are much closer to full strength than a Penn State team that's ready to get this season over with.
Let’s take roll call of the opt-outs. For Penn State, five defensive players will call in sick, compared to one on offense (WR Jahan Dotson). For Arkansas, it’s an even split, with one on offense (WR Trelon Burks) and one on defense (DE Tre Williams.) The Nittany Lions also lose defensive coordinator Brent Fry, the new head honcho at Virginia Tech. Though each side is minus a key receiver, the offenses should lean toward the pass, making half a hundred points probable.
OUTBACK BOWL -- I originally thought Penn State would win this game but no longer do. While Arkansas did lose leading receiver Treylon Burks to an opt-out, the Nittany Lions have now lost maybe their three best defensive players in linebackers Ellis Brooks and Brandon Smith and safety Jaquan Brisker, who was a team captain, defensive MVP, All-American and a semifinalist for the Thorpe and Bednarik awards this year. PSU receiver Jahan Dotson, who had 91 receptions for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, also has passed on the bowl. No reason to bother giving 1 point; we'll take the moneyline.