The No. 11 Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2) and No. 8 Utah Utes (10-3) meet in the Rose Bowl on Monday in Pasadena, Calif. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Penn State vs. Utah odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Big Ten representatives will have to make do without the services of leading receiver WR Parker Washington (46 receptions, 611 yards, 2 TDs). He missed the final 2 games due to injury, and he won’t play in Pasadena. On the defensive side of the ball, CB Joey Porter Jr. has also opted out. He made 23 total stops with 6 passes defensed and a fumble recovery in 10 games.
For Utah, leading receiver TE Dalton Kincaid opted out because of an undisclosed injury. That leaves WR DeVaughn Vele (50-595-5) as the next best receiver available. RB Tavion Thomas also has opted out after declaring for the NFL Draft. Thomas led the team with 687 rushing yards and 7 TDs.
Utah’s offense has scored 110 total points in the last 2 games, including a 47-24 win over USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game. However, the offense should be a little less effective without its leading rusher and receiver.