College Football Odds Week 5: Penn State vs Northwestern Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

2 minute read

Penn State looks to avoid an upset in Week 5 of college football this week as the Nittany Lions head to Evanston to face Northwestern. The Wildcats are heavy home underdogs after shocking Minnesota in overtime last week. Coverage begins from Ryan Field on Saturday, September 30 at 12:00 p.m. ET on BTN.

Here's everything you need to know about the college football odds Week 5 Penn State vs. Northwestern the opening lines, spreads, betting trends and more. Check back regularly for updates.

No. 6 Penn State vs Northwestern Odds

• Opening point spread: Penn State -26.5
• Opening moneyline: Penn State -4500/Northwestern +1550
• Opening total: Over/Under 46.5 points scored
• Time: Noon ET Saturday (Big Ten Network)

UPDATE 11:30 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Caesars Sports has moved this line around throughout the week in its college football odds Week 5 market. Penn State opened -26, initially backed up to -25.5, then peaked at -27 multiple times early in the week.

On Thursday, the Nittany Lions dipped to -26.5, but they returned to -27 this morning. Spread tickets are running 5/1 and spread money 2.5/1 on Penn State.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The Nittany Lions opened -25.5 in BetMGM's college football odds Week 5 market. Penn State peaked at -27.5 Tuesday, then went to -26.5 (-115) Thursday. Ticket count is 3/1-plus and money 2.5/1 on the Nittany Lions.

BetMGM's total was at 45.5 all week, then went to 46.5 this morning. Early tickets are almost 4/1 and early money beyond 9/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET MONDAY: Penn State is getting it down on the field and against the oddsmakers, sitting at 4-0 SU and ATS. The Nittany Lions were 14-point home favorites against Iowa and coasted to a 31-0 victory.

Northwestern (2-2 SU and ATS) notched an upset in Week 4. The Wildcats closed as 11-point home 'dogs to Minnesota and forced overtime on a final-seconds touchdown, tying the game at 31. Northwestern then won 37-34 in OT.

The Penn State-Northwestern spread went from -26. to -26.5 Sunday evening at Caesars Sports. The line then returned to -26 this morning. The total nudged down to 46.

Click here for Vegas Insider senior reporter Patrick Everson's full College Football Odds Week 5 Report containing spreads, lines, and trends for every Top 25 matchup.

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson