Penn St Nittany Lions at Virginia Cavaliers
Scott Stadium – Charlottesville, Virginia
Saturday, September 8, 2012, 12:00 pm Eastern, TV: ABC
Opening Line: Virginia -7
Current Line: Virginia -9 1/2
Opening Total: 44
Current Total: 45
Opening Money Line: Virginia -360 / Penn St +300
Current Money Line: Virginia -415 / Penn St +345
Penn St and Virginia meet for the 8th time ever Saturday in Charlottesville. The Nittany Lions lead the series 5-2, but the two teams haven’t played since 2002. Penn St won the last meeting 35-14 in Charlottesville, but that win was vacated earlier this year by NCAA sanctions. Virginia will play at Penn St in 2013.
The Bill O’Brien era at Penn St did not get off to good start last week. The Nittany Lions were playing their first game since long time coach Joe Paterno passed away in January and since the NCAA leveled heavy sanctions against the programs. Penn St took a 14-3 lead at halftime against the Ohio Bobcats. However, the Bobcats scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to win 24-14. Penn St was a 5.5 point favorite and the total was 44.5.
Penn St had 352 total yards, including 260 yards passing from quarterback Matt McGloin. McGloin was 27 for 48 passing with 2 touchdowns and an interception. It was one of 3 turnovers for the Nittany Lions, and the Bobcats had none. Ohio gained 499 total yards including 324 passing yards, and held the ball for 34:55.
Penn St Running back Bill Belton had 13 carries for 53 yards, and also caught a six yard touchdown pass. He is probable for the Virginia game with an ankle injury. Receiver Allen Robinson had 9 catches for 97 yards. Tight end Kyle Carter had 6 catches for 74 yards.
Virginia is coached by Mike London. The Cavaliers opened the season with a 43-19 win over Richmond last week. Virginia jumped out to a 22-0 lead in the first half. Richmond scored a touchdown just before halftime but missed the extra point to make it 22-6. In the second half Virginia took a 43-12 lead, but Richmond scored with 35 seconds left to make the final 43-19. The spread was 24, so that late touchdown created a push on the betting line. There was no total.
Virginia rolled up 545 total yards including 361 passing yards. Quarterback Michael Rocco was 25/37 passing for 311 yards with a touchdown. Receiver Tim Smith had 6 catches for 96 yards. Darius Jennings had 5 catches for 84 yards and a 51 yard touchdown catch in the first quarter.
The Cavaliers rushed for 184 yards, but no player rushed for more than 52 yards. Perry Jones and Khalek Shepherd each rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown. Kevin Parks rushed for 49 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Virginia defense held Richmond to 266 total yards including just 28 rushing yards. The Cavaliers also recorded a safety. Neither team had a turnover.
Penn St is 2-5 ATS in road games, 2-6-1 after failing to cover, 1-3-1 after scoring 20 points or less, 2-6 after allowing 280 passing yards or more, 5-16 in September, 3-11-1 after allowing 450 total yards or more, 3-12-1 overall, 2-9-1 on grass, 2-10-1 against teams with a winning record, 1-5 after gaining less than 100 yards rushing, 2-12 in non-conference games, and 1-7 in road games against teams with winning home records. Virginia is 4-1-1 on grass, 9-4 after allowing less than 100 yards rushing, 2-5-1 after gaining more than 450 yards, 1-5 after allowing 20 points or less, 0-4-1 in non-conference games, and 0-3-1 in September games.
It was an upset last week when Penn St lost at home to Ohio last week. However, Ohio is a very good team from the MAC. Virginia is no slouch either as they won 8 games last year in the ACC. I think Penn St will struggle to score this week, and Virginia covers the number.
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