Auburn Tigers at Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Preview
17 September 2021

It’s another big weekend of college football games, and there are a number of key matchups that will shape the College Football Playoff race. Perhaps none bigger than the Saturday night game featuring the Auburn Tigers and the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Auburn has won each of the first two games of the season by an average of 56 points per game, but it has been a light schedule. The Tigers are trying to prove that they have what it takes to compete in the SEC, and picking up a win in this game would help.
Penn State has a pair of impressive wins up to this point, including a season-opening win over the Wisconsin Badgers. The Nittany Lions now have a decent path to winning the Big 10 Conference, but a win in this game puts the CFP in play.
The Penn State Nittany Lions are 6.5-point favorites over the Auburn Tigers on Saturday night.
Auburn Lighting it Up
The Auburn Tigers have been putting up ridiculous numbers on offense this season, but they have also been facing teams that are far inferior. Auburn is averaging 340 rushing yards per game, but they aren’t going to rack up those yards in this matchup.
Quarterback Bo Nix is starting to become a real threat for the Tigers as he has thrown five touchdown passes through two games. Auburn is going to play quick when they have the ball, and that will challenge Penn State.
The defense of Auburn has really stepped up as well, and that unit will be a big key in this game. The Tigers are giving up just 21.5 rushing yards per game, but that defensive line will be tested.
Penn State Getting Stops
Penn State gave up just 10 points to Wisconsin in the season opener, and the Badgers are expected to contend in the Big 10 Conference. The Nittany Lions have been gashed a bit in the passing game, but they have stood up tall in the Red Zone.
Quarterback Sean Clifford has thrown for 477 yards and two touchdowns this season, but he will have to find the end zone in this one. Penn State wants to run the football, but that is not going to be easy against Auburn.
Playing at home on Saturday night is usually a great thing for Penn State, and the home crowd will bring plenty of energy to this one.
Tigers Battle in Close Defeat
While both teams can really score, this is a game that will be won on the defensive end of the field. Each team is going to want to slow the pace down and control the clock, and that should make for a tight contest throughout.
Auburn has not had any challenges up to this point, but playing Penn State at night is not going to be fun. The Tigers are going to challenge the Nittany Lions all night long, but Penn State will be able to find a way to get the job done.
Take the 6.5 points and bet on the Auburn Tigers, but it will be the Penn State Nittany Lions that come away with this win.
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