Penn State vs. Northwestern – Game Time, TV Schedule, Line, Preview, Predictions

After coasting to a win over UMass last week, one where its backups played for most of the second half, Penn State kicks off its Big Ten home schedule against Northwestern this Saturday. The Nittany Lions are the only undefeated team in the Big Ten East, and should come into the game against the Wildcats rested and focused, as the squad is two wins away from being bowl eligible for the first time since the 2011 season.

As for Northwestern, the Wildcats have not looked good this year. The team lost to Cal and Northern Illinois to start the season, and was outgained by Western Illinois in its 24-7 win over the Leathernecks last week. Quarterback Trevor Siemian is still working his way back from an ankle injury, and while he has looked better, facing the PSU defense is a daunting task. While the two sides have had some great games in recent years, it's hard to imagine that the Wildcats will give the Nittany Lions issues in 2014.

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2014 

Time: 12:00 PM EST 

TV Channel: Big Ten Network

Location: Beaver Stadium (State College, PA)

Betting Line: Penn State -10.5 (via 5Dimes)

Prediction: It would be a surprise if Penn State lost this week. The Nittany Lions haven't been great this year, but last week the squad had its best all-around game this season, mostly because its running game was excellent. If the team can run for 200+ yards on a consistent basis, it will open up a dimension that Penn State's offense hasn't had this year, and make life a lot easier for quarterback Christian Hackenberg.

As for Northwestern, the team has struggled on offense as Siemian has worked his way back from injury, and it has not found a way to replace star RB/WR/KR Venric Mark, who transferred before the season started. The defense has some nice pieces, namely LB Chi Chi Ariguzo and safety Ibraheim Campbell, but across the board, this hasn't resembled some of the defenses that Pat Fitzgerald built when he first came to Evanston.

Give us Penn State to win and cover. The Nittany Lions are better than Northwestern across the board, it's a game at home, and it's Penn State's last game before a bye. We expect James Franklin's squad to come out aggressive and to smother a Wildcats side that has been subpar this year, and for Penn State to walk out of Beaver Stadium on Saturday with its fifth win of the season.