Another big-time brawl between Big Ten rivals is set for the first week of the new football season with two ranked opponents pitted against one another. The No. 12 Wisconsin Badgers begin their campaign in higher regard than the 19th-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, but it’s the latter program that’s dominated the former in their head-to-head matchups from recent years.

Nitrobetting is ready to equip its bettors with all the latest previews and odds for Week 1 of the 2021 college football season. This time, we look at the season-opening matchup between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Wisconsin Badgers. Find out more about the teams and the key players, event information, the latest College Football odds, and of course, helpful betting trends and expert betting predictions. Don’t forget to check the latest 2021 College Football odds at out online Bitcoin sportsbook.

Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Wisconsin Badgers Game Information

Who's coming home this weekend? #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/MEsWvnKhqr

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) August 30, 2021

• When: Saturday, September 4, 2021, 12:00 PM ET
• Where: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
• TV: FOX
• Radio: WQWK 1450 AM (Penn State) / 101.5 FM WIBA (Wisconsin)
• Live Stream: CBS Sports
• College Football Odds: Penn State (+5.5) / Wisconsin (-5.5)

Why Bet on the Penn State Nittany Lions?

Due to the global pandemic, the 2020 Penn State Nittany Lions season was wrought with many challenges that ultimately resulted in the team opting out of participating at a Bowl game that year. The Nittany Lions would’ve been eligible to play in such a Bowl game at that, which means they’ll also have a chip on their shoulder this 2021 season in proving that they still belong amongst the FCS’ elite programs.

College football experts still hold Penn State in high regard, given the team’s No. 12 ranking from the preseason. The Lions are counting on former Texas offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich to further develop their starting quarterback in Sean Clifford. Clifford threw for 16 passing touchdowns last season but was also picked off nine times for his team that finished with a meager 4-5 record. On the opposite end of the ball, Penn State’s defense will still be anchored by the solid linebacking trio of Ellis Brooks, Jesse Luketa, and Jaquan Brisker, who combined for 176 tackles last season.

Why Bet on the Wisconsin Badgers?

Unlike the Nittany Lions, the Wisconsin Badgers made the most out of their trying 2021 campaign by finishing with a 4-3 record and winning the Mayo Bowl against Wake Forest to cap off their season. However, those results were far from Wisconsin’s lofty aspirations, considering that the team finished third in the West Division of the Big Ten for the first time in head coach Paul Chryst’s tenure.

But like Penn State, the Badgers are hoping for bigger things from sophomore QB Graham Mertz, who threw for a whopping five touchdowns in his college football debut against Illinois last year. Unfortunately, Mertz would go on to score just four more passing TDs along with five interceptions across six starts. And just like their Week 1 opponent, the Badgers are led on defense by a stud linebacker in Jack Sanborn, who’s the team’s leading tackler for the past two seasons with a total of 132 tackles. No. 19 Wisconsin may be the lower-ranked team in this Saturday’s matchup, but the current odds appear to be against that notion, as the Badgers are favorites to win this huge interconference season opener.

Penn State vs. Wisconsin Betting Trends

• The Nittany Lions went 4-0 to end their 2020 season (SU/ATS) after losing their first five games.
• The Nittany Lions have won four straight meetings and five of their last six against Wisconsin (SU/ATS).
• The totals have gone over in five of the Lions’ six head-to-head matchups against Wisconsin.
• The Badgers are 8-1 at home in the regular season since the 2019 campaign (5-4 ATS).
• The Badgers are just 1-3 in their last four games as favorites to win (0-4 ATS).
• The totals have gone under in all four of those recent games wherein the Badgers were favored to win.

Penn State vs. Wisconsin Expert Betting Predictions

Even though the Badgers are slightly favored to beat the Nittany Lions in Week 1, history would have it that it’s Penn State who has the actual edge in this matchup. What’s a bit more intriguing is how the over/under will pan out at the end of Saturday’s game given that both teams have fantastic defenses coupled with questionable quarterbacks under center. Regardless of the outcome, this Big Ten showdown is a game that can’t be missed by fans wanting to experience the official return of Saturday college football action.

Where to Bet On College Football with Bitcoin

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Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2022 College Football season. Stay tuned for more football previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest NCAAF betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All stated odds are subject to change without prior notice.

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