Penn State Nittany Lions vs #21 Arkansas Razorbacks 2022 Outback Bowl
Our Penn State vs Arkansas prediction is for the 2022 Outback Bowl which will be played on Saturday, January 1. The Penn State Nittany Lions (7-5) finished fourth in the Big Ten East with an 3-5 record. Over their last five games, the Nittany Lions were 2-3. In the SEC West, the #21 Arkansas Razorbacks (8-4) ended up with a 4-4 record, tying them with Mississippi State and Texas A&M for third. Over their final five games, the Razorbacks lost one game. That was to #2 Alabama 35-42.
Outback Bowl Spread and Totals Odds
We have the Nittany Lions as the underdog at +2.5 (-110). On the other hand, Arkansas is favored at -1.5 (-110). The total comes in at 48.5. The over is -115 and under -105. The 2022 Outback Bowl will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 pm ET. It can be found on ESPN2.
Nittany Lions vs Razorbacks Pick - Stats
In our Penn State vs Arkansas prediction, the Razorbacks are out scoring the Nittany Lions 31.5-to-26.1. The Backs also top the Lions in offensive yards (440.9-380.8) and rushing yards (217.3-106.4). PSU is averaging 274.4 passing YPG, while Arkansas is recording 223.6 per game.
On defense, the Nittany Lions are allowing 16.8 PPG. On the other hand, Arkansas is giving up 24.0 PPG. PSU is holding teams to 208.3 passing YPG and 135.7 rushing YPG. The Razorbacks are allowing opponents 215.1 air YPG and 156.3 ground YPG. The PSU defense comes to this game with three pick sixes. The Razorbacks have none.
Penn State vs Arkansas Prediction - Key Players
The Nittany Lions will be dealing with some big losses, as star wideout Jahan Dotson has decided to opt out, as have big time linebackers Brandon Smith and Ellis Brooks, premium safety Jaquan Brisker, and top-notch defensive end Arnold Ebiketie. All have declared for the NFL Draft. PSU’s depleted receiving unit will include wideouts Parker Washington and KeAndre Lambert-Smith and tight end Brenton Strange. Together, they have a total of nine TD catches. Dotson recorded 12 scores this season. QB Sean Clifford has thrown 20 TD passes and six picks while being sacked 29 times. In order for the Lions to be competitive, running backs Keyvone Lee (104 ATT, 495 YDs, 4.6 AVG, 2 TDs) and Noah Cain (101 ATT, 322 YDs, 3.2 AVG, 4 TDs) will need to be effective.
The Razorbacks will be without NFL Draft hopefuls wide receiver Treylon Burks and defensive end Tre Williams. QB KJ Jefferson (2,578 YDs, 66.9 COMP%, 21 TDs, 3 INTs, 22 SCKs) has an accurate arm. Plus, he’s averaging 4.4 YP rush and has scored five ground TDs. Running backs Trelon Smith, Raheim Sanders, and Dominique Johnson have totaled 15 TDs, and over 1,200 yards. The loss of Burks (1,104 YDs, 11 TDs) is huge. Wide receivers Tyson Morris and Warren Thompson and tight end Blake Kern have each grabbed two TD passes.
Penn State vs Arkansas Prediction
Our Penn State vs Arkansas prediction for the Outback Bowl finds that the Razorbacks are much deeper than the Nittany Lions. Thus, we’re taking the Backs at -1.5 (-110). Also, we’re going with under 48.5 (-105).
Sports Betting Smarts is previewing and predicting every one of this season’s 41 college football bowl games. In the first two weeks, we went 22-10 (69%).
2022 Outback Bowl - Penn State vs Arkansas Summary
Spread - Arkansas -1.5 (-110)
Over/Under - Under 48.5 (-105)
