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How to watch Penn State-Illinois; spread, pregame info, kick time, more: Gameday Central

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•09/16/23•

GregPickel

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Penn State head football coach James Franklin. (Credit: USA Today Sports Network)

It is game day again, Penn State fans! The No. 7 Nittany Lions go on the road to open Big Ten play today. They face Illinois this afternoon in Champaign, Ill., as a sizable favorite. Head coach James Franklin’s team is 2-0. Head coach Bret Bielema’s side is 1-1.

“[Penn State is] just experts of opening on the road, whether it’s the first game, the second game, the third game, the fourth game, not only in my 10 years, but I think over the last 15 years,” Franklin joked about his team’s eighth straight conference opener away from Beaver Stadium. “We’re experts. So, I think we’re going to put an offseason clinic on how to open in the Big Ten.”

Bielema praised the Nittany Lions earlier in the week.

“One of the trademarks of James’ teams is they play a lot of skill [players],” Bielema said. “They’re deep. They do a tremendous job in recruiting and they’re allowed to do things there at Penn State that allow them to get a lot of skill players in the program. It seems like as soon as you have one leave, another one stands up right behind him. That’s the thing about Penn State. The volume of skill that can be on the field and be fresh is a challenge.”

GameDay Central gets you ready for kickoff below.

Game time, how to watch: Penn State football vs. Illinois

Venue: Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill

Kick time: Noon ET

TV: FOX

Stream: FOX Live

On the call: Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (color commentary), and Jenny Taft (sideline reporter).

Penn State radio: Steve Jones, Jack Ham, and Brian Tripp will call the Penn State Sports Network radio broadcast on Saturday. It airs on 99.5 & 103.7 FM/1450 AM locally and at GoPSUSports.com online.

Series facts: This is the 27th meeting between the two schools. Penn State owns a 20-6 all-time advantage. The Nittany Lions lost their last meeting with Illinois, though, in nine overtimes back in 2021 at Beaver Stadium.

Penn State-Illinois betting line

Penn State opened as a 15-point favorite. The line briefly went to 15.5 but has seemingly settled at 14.5 ahead of kickoff. The over/under betting total is 48.5 points.

Blue-White Illustrated predictions

Nate Bauer: PSU 42, ILL 17
Sean Fitz: PSU 38, ILL 14
Thomas Frank Carr: PSU 35, ILL 20
Matt Herb: PSU 34, ILL 17
Greg Pickel: PSU 38, ILL 17
Ryan Snyder: PSU 48, ILL 17

Weather report

It will be a bit humid on Saturday. But, no rain is in the forecast. Wind is not likely to be a factor, either. Temps will be in the mid 70s before and after kickoff. It should be an average mid-September day in Champaign for the players and any Penn State fans who are making the trip.

Pregame reading

Projected Penn State depth charts: Offense | Defense

Penn State’s three things: What to know about Illinois

Penn State Friday 5: Bold predictions for the Lions’ matchup with Illinois

Inside Lasch: Latest on DL Ernest Willor and other 2024 prospects, plus emerging 2025 prospects to know

Mid-week practice reports: Offense | Defense

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