As college football heats up in Week 13, the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions (9-1, 6-1) are set to clash with the Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-4, 4-3) on Saturday in a game airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Penn State is riding high after a dominating 49-10 victory over Purdue last week, which solidifies their position in the race for the College Football Playoffs. On the flip side, Minnesota is eager to bounce back after a loss to Rutgers, having had a bye week to regroup and prepare for this challenge at home.
This matchup will mark the first encounter between these teams since their last meeting in 2022, where Penn State secured a convincing 45-17 win. As teams prepare for the game, both squads report no injury concerns, making this an intriguing showdown.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The Nittany Lions enter the game as 11.5-point favorites, with a total score over/under set at 45 points.
Minnesota poses a significant threat in this contest. The Golden Gophers boast a strong defensive lineup, allowing only 296.4 total yards per game and ranking sixth in the Big Ten in passing defense. This performance could test Penn State’s quarterback Drew Allar as he looks to maintain his impressive passing accuracy. Despite a run-heavy offense, Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer offers a balanced threat through the air, which may catch Penn State off guard.
From Penn State’s perspective, a psychological edge looms large as they have a favorable all-time series record against Minnesota, winning 10 of their matchups. Additionally, the Nittany Lions have covered the spread in three of their last four games this season.
As the game approaches, forecasts suggest a high-scoring affair, with SportsLine’s model predicting a total of 47 combined points. Their analysis points toward one side of the spread hitting in over 50% of simulations, making for an exciting betting environment.
Whatever the outcome, fans can anticipate a thrilling game as both teams aim for victory while setting the stage for potential postseason glory. This matchup not only highlights the excitement of college football but also the perseverance of teams striving for excellence in the final weeks of the season.