What crazy stuff will happen this time against Rutgers? taken in Piscataway, N.J. (Penn State)

Mark Selders / Penn State Athletics

Keyvone Lee stretches the ball out for a touchdown during Penn State's win over Rutgers last season at Beaver Stadium.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- It's always something against Rutgers. Something unusual or bizarre. Something memorable, despite the fact that the Scarlet Knights have always been a forgettable opponent.

Last year at Beaver Stadium, a bunch of Penn State players were puking because of a team-wide flu outbreak. Sean Clifford got it and tried to play but had to replaced early on by Christian Veilleux. The Collegian has this fantastic piece looking back on that wacky day.

Penn State still won, 28-0.

Two years ago at Rutgers was the crazy Will Levis running game. The backup quarterback didn't actually play quarterback when he was on the field, and was instead a running back as he carried the ball 17 times and didn't attempt a pass. If you're looking for reasons why Levis eventually transferred, that whole situation was part of it -- that the coaches really didn't even see him as a quarterback capable of throwing.

Penn State won, 23-7.

In 2019, Clifford was banged up and couldn't play, so Levis got the start. Wouldn't you know it, Levis was the Nittany Lions' leading rusher that day with 108 yards, on 17 carries, which is ironic (he had 17 carries two straight years, as the QB).

Penn State won, 27-6.

Back in 2018, Trace McSorley had a sore knee, and the Lions slogged through with an unimpressive performance in Piscataway.

Penn State still won easily, 20-7.

The one constant through the years has been that, no matter what goofy stuff is happening, Penn State always beats Rutgers easily. These are the last seven meetings:

2021: PSU 28-0
2020: PSU 23-7
2019: PSU 27-6
2018: PSU 20-7
2017: PSU 35-6
2016: PSU 39-0
2015: PSU 28-3

In those seven games, Penn State has outscored Rutgers, 200-29.

The 2014 game, in Rutgers' debut as a Big Ten member, the Scarlet Knights actually led 10-0 at the half. But Penn State fought back and barely escaped with a 13-10 win.

So, the Lions are 8-0 against Rutgers since it joined the Big Ten. And all but the first meeting was a blowout.

You know what else has happened in all eight meetings? The under has been the way to bet the game, hitting in every single matchup, in large part because the Scarlet Knights have never been able to solve Penn State's defense.

HOW TO BET THE GAME

I'm bumping this section way up near the top this week, for two reasons. First, we were just talking about the over/under. And second, well, it's time to do some bragging.

I have hit on seven in a row in my weekly Penn State best bets, which is no small achievement. Here's the breakdown:

• W Maryland: PSU -9.5
• W Indiana: PSU -13.5
• W Ohio State: PSU +15
• W Minnesota: PSU -5
• W Michigan: Michigan -6
• W Northwestern: NW +28
• W Central Mich: CMU +28
• L Auburn: Auburn +3
• L Ohio: Ohio +27
• W Purdue: over 53.5

Penn State is favored by 19 points, and the over/under is 45. If you'll notice up above, these teams haven't combined for more than 41 points in any game since Rutgers joined the Big Ten. Rutgers hasn't reached double figures in the past seven meetings. The average score in the eight meetings is: Penn State 26.6, Rutgers 4.9.

The under is the obvious play here. I doubt Rutgers gets to double digits. And even if it does score 10, Penn State would have to score more than 35, which it has done just once in the past eight meetings.

So yeah, go for under 45.

THE ESSENTIALS

Who: No. 11 Penn State (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten) at Rutgers (4-6, 1-6)
When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: SHI Stadium (52,454)
WeatherSunny 40°, 0% chance rain, 10 mph wind
TV: BTN (national)
Radio: WPIT 96.5 FM
Satellite: Sirius XM 83, online 966
Box score: Stat Broadcast
Media notes: Penn State | Rutgers

TWO REASONS

Two reasons Penn State will win:

1. C'mon. It's Rutgers. Penn State is 30-2 all-time, with one of the losses coming in 1918.

2. The Lions' defense will have complete control of this game.

Two reasons Rutgers could win:

1. 

2. 

I got nothing. I mean, the Lions won last year, 28-0, despite playing a backup QB and while half the team had the flu. So ...

FIVE KEYS

My five keys for Penn State:

1. Don't have everybody puking to where they can't play.

2. Don't run the quarterback 17 times.

3. Don't turn the ball over, which is always a huge key in a game like this where the only way the opponent can succeed is if you keep making mistakes.

4. In all seriousness, Rutgers plays hard. No, there may not be a ton of talent on the team, but Greg Schiano (a Penn State assistant from 1990-95) does get his guys to give a max effort, particularly on defense.

"Obviously there is history with Coach Schiano, got a ton of respect for him," James Franklin said. "Watching them on tape, their team plays really hard. Got 16 years of coaching experience at the college and NFL levels, and now at Rutgers."

5. There is value in this game from a recruiting standpoint, and a lot of players on the two teams will know each other from their prep days. That tends to make these kinds of matchups a little closer than expected. While the under has hit in the last eight meetings, Rutgers has covered in four of the eight. Can the Scarlet Knights cover the 19-point spread here?

PREDICTION

No, Rutgers won't cover. Penn State will win comfortably.

And since something crazy always happens ... I'll predict something so bizarre occurs that, for the first time in college football history, the officials decide to award one extra point, giving each team a half. So, my score prediction is:

Penn State 31 1/2, Rutgers 6 1/2.

Enjoy the game!

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