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Penn State vs. Auburn Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 3

By Reed Wallach

Sep 10, 2022; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Robby Ashford (9) runs a play during
Sep 10, 2022; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Robby Ashford (9) runs a play during / John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
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Auburn and Penn State are slated to play for the second time in as many years after their thriller in Happy Valley last season.

The Tigers welcome Penn State to SEC country on Saturday afternoon as home underdogs. The team has faced Mercer and San Jose State to start the season, but will look to avenge their close loss to the Nitany Lions on Saturday and make an early statement win.

Penn State will be playing their second road game, but is the team's 35-31 win at Purdue replicable in this spot? Let's break it all down and give it our best bet:

Penn State vs. Auburn Odds, Spread and Total

Penn State vs. Auburn Betting Trends

  • Auburn is 12-6 against the spread (ATS) as a home underdog dating back to 2011, 10-8 straight up (SU)
  • Auburn is 33-29-1 ATS at Jordan-Hare Stadium since 2013
  • This is the third time Penn State is a non conference road favorite under James Franklin, they are 1-1 ATS

Penn State vs. Auburn Prediction and Pick

As discussed on this week's 'Early Reed', I'm playing Auburn as a home underdog. I believe that the physicality in the trenches on both sides of the ball will be the crux to the Tigers controlling the game script against an unproven Penn State defense.

The Nitanny Lions need to replace seven starters from last season and are under first year defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. The team allowed Purdue to score 31 points in the opening game, the only test they have faced so far, and while this may be a different game script I favor the SEC talent to win out.

On offense, I expect Tank Bigsby and change of pace quarterback Robby Ashford (13 rushes for 129 yards in two games) to give the Penn State defensive line fits on the ground and control the tempo.

Meanwhile, the defense should be able to put quarterback Sean Clifford into difficult situations all afternoon. Last season, Auburn was top 10 in the country in tackles for loss and top third in defensive line yards against SEC competition. If Penn State is playing from behind the sticks, Clifford will make mistakes.

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