Where does BetMGM set Penn State football's win total for 2021?
Penn State is coming off a truly messy 2020 season. After limping out to a historically bad 0-5 start, Penn State did end the season on a winning note with four consecutive wins to close out the regular season. But the page has been turned and all eyes are now on the upcoming 2021 season. And BetMGM has a much more optimistic view of what to expect out of the Nittany Lions this fall. The most recent win totals for the upcoming season have been projected by BetMGM for just about every FBS team this season. The sportsbook has Penn State pegged for a win total of nine wins in 2021. And, judging by the lines, taking the over 9 wins (+110) seems to be the lean from BetMGM compared to going with the under 9 wins (-130). Odds courtesy of BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks. The win total being set at nine wins seems rather fair from BetMGM. More importantly, BetMGM does not seem to be too heavily influenced by recentcy bias in its projection. As rough as the 2020 season was for Penn State, a win total of nine wins suggests the Nittany Lions are still well respected by the oddsmakers. Taking into consideration that Penn State faces one of its toughest schedules in years, getting to nine wins would be a worthy accomplishment. Penn State is already a road underdog to start the year at Wisconsin, and Penn State is scheduled for two of the most difficult road trips in Big Ten play; at Ohio State and at Iowa. Penn State also must make a trip to Maryland, who bullied them at the start of the game last season in Beaver Stadium and never relinquished a lead. On top of that, Penn State has home games against an Indiana team that wasnt a fluke in 2020 and upset Penn State to open the Big Tens 2020 season, and a Michigan team that is as equipped to give Penn State a battle as any. Of course, there is also a nationally-televised primetime game in week 3 against the Auburn Tigers that everyone is looking forward to as well. If you have to choose one way or the other, taking the over isnt necessarily the bad option to take. Penn State has gone over 9 wins three out of the last five seasons (Penn State only played nine games in total in 2020). With a full 12-game regular-season schedule on tap and a team expected to have a solid rebound year, the over feels attainable. But it should be tough to get more than nine wins this season. Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion. Gallery PHOTOS: Penn State starting QB Sean Clifford View 11 photos