Bodog Beat

Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions host Illinois on Saturday. (AP Images)

The Big Ten is 13-17-1 ATS after four weeks of non-conference action. The No. 15 Penn State Nittany Lions were the only team in the conference to go unscathed at 4-0 SU and 3-0 ATS. The No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini are broke at 2-1 SU and 0-2 ATS, and they almost lost to UL-Lafayette (+25) two weeks ago.

Just about the only good news for the Illini going into Saturday night’s matchup at Beaver Stadium is that they’re coming off a bye week, while the Nittany Lions were crushing Temple. From a handicapping standpoint, Illinois supporters can also hope the running game employed by both teams will chew up enough clock to cash the Illini in as 15-point puppies.

That’s not my pick. Penn State is playing far better than No. 15 in the nation, while Illinois is only ranked because the team somehow made it to the Rose Bowl last season. PSU all the way. Get all your NCAA College Football Odds in the Bodog Sportsbook today!