What is the initial Penn State-Rutgers point spread? It, and the first total, are out

Penn State finishes its 2025 regular season on Saturday. The Nittany Lions head to Rutgers then for a matchup that will determine which team will reach the postseason. Head coach Greg Schiano’s team is 5-6 and fresh off a loss to Ohio State. Interim Lions leader Terry Smith, meanwhile, guided his team to a 37-10 demolition over Nebraska yesterday at Beaver Stadium. It was his second straight win after PSU knocked off Michigan State on the road last weekend.

Following the win over the Cornhuskers, fans at Beaver Stadium chanted Smith’s name while players carried signs calling for the Lions to hire him as the replacement for the fired James Franklin.

“I’m very motivated by the support,” Smith said. “My players love me unconditionally. I love them unconditionally. Their support means everything. The fans were unbelievable again tonight; this is back-to-back Beaver Stadium turnouts from our fans… just incredible support. You know, we all like support. It encourages us, [and] it motivates us. It gives us energy and it gave our guys energy tonight. We have a game next week against Rutgers. I want our fans to show up and support these guys as we try to get bowl eligible.”

What is the Penn State-Rutgers point spread?

Penn State is a 10.5-point favorite at BetMGM. The initial total is 55.5. The Lions hold a 32-2 all-time series lead. And, they have won the last 17 meetings.

Despite bowl eligibility being on the line, Schiano said Saturday night that it won’t change the way his team approaches this matchup.

“Yeah, I mean, the approach is the same as it always is,” Schiano said. “Circumstance cannot dictate your behavior. Is it exciting that you have a game that if you win you keep playing and if you don’t, ooh, yeah, that’s fun as a competitor. You love that. But the preparation, if you let circumstance dictate your behavior, you’re going to have a tough life.

“And that’s what I try to teach these kids. You have to react to things. There’s no doubt about that. But you can’t let that be the impetus to what you do. Otherwise, you’re going to be chasing things the rest of your life. You have to learn how to put your feelings aside and make choices, and that’s what we have to do.

“We have to lock in and focus and get better, and there will be stuff from this game that we can improve on and evaluate what Penn State’s doing and come up with a plan and go practice all week and get ready to go play.”