Coronavirus has caused major sports to readjust their schedules. College football is following suit, but not in a uniform way.
So far, only two (the Big Ten and Pac-12) of the Power 5 conferences have decided to play a conference-only schedule. The rest plan to decide by the end of July.
What does it mean for college football in Pennsylvania? Fewer games, obviously.
Here’s a breakdown of where plans for a college football season for PA-based teams stand and current early-season betting lines and futures bets.
Penn State football plans for conference-only 2020
The biggest program in the commonwealth got news early about its upcoming season. The Big Ten was the first FBS conference to reveal its plans for playing games in a pandemic. Penn State and its Big Ten brethren will only play nine scheduled conference opponents this season.
What it means for Penn State betting
Penn State’s first three games — Kent State, Virginia Tech and San Jose State — are canceled. The Nittany Lions start their season at home on Sept. 26 against Northwestern.
But in the words of ESPN’s College GameDay analyst Lee Corso, “Not so fast, my friend.” It’s worth noting that Penn State’s website does not list a schedule for the 2020 season. It skips to 2021.
Big Ten Conference Commissioner Kevin Warren gave a somber statement on July 10:
“One thing we have to realize is that this is not a fait accompli that we’re gonna have sports in the fall. We may not have sports in the fall. We may not have a college football season in the Big Ten.”
Still, PA sports gambling apps are offering futures and some single-game wagering.
Penn State Nittany Lions 2020 National Championship odds
- FanDuel: +3,000
- DraftKings: +5000
- Fox Bet: +5,000
Penn State Heisman odds (via FanDuel)
- Sean Clifford : +6,000
- Journey Brown: +10,000
- Micah Parsons: +20,000
Big Ten Conference winner odds at Fox Bet
- Penn State: +700
Penn State early 2020 betting lines (via FanDuel)
Week 5:
- Michigan vs. Penn State (+1)
Week 8:
- Penn State (+4.5) vs. Ohio State
Pittsburgh Panthers 2020 season plans
In a statement on July 10, ACC Commissioner Jim Swofford said the conference has prepared numerous scenarios related to the fall athletics season. They anticipate making a decision in late July.
According to CBS Sports‘ Dennis Dodd, the ACC is considering a conference-only schedule.
What does it mean for Pitt Panthers betting?
For now, nothing. But if the Panthers play a conference-only season, their first three games, against Miami (Ohio), Marshall and Richmond, would be wiped from the schedule. They would begin their season by hosting Duke on Sept. 26.
Pittsburgh Panthers 2020 National Championship odds
- FanDuel: +23,000
- DraftKings: +25,000
- Fox Bet: +27,500
ACC Conference winner odds at Fox Bet
- Pitt: +5,000
Pitt Panthers early 2020 betting lines (via FanDuel)
Week 3:
- Pittsburgh (-9.5) vs. Duke
Week 10:
- Pittsburgh (-1) vs. Virginia Tech
Week 11:
- North Carolina vs. Pittsburgh (+7)
Temple Owls 2020 season plans
The American Athletic Conference, home of the Temple Owls, made an announcement on July 22 about fall sports. However, it will not impact the start of football season. The rest of the fall Olympic sports will be pushed back.
What it means for Temple football betting:
Temple’s full 11–game slate starts Sept. 5 in Miami.
Temple Owls 2020 National Championship odds
- FanDuel: +75,000
- DraftKings: +25,000
- Fox Bet: +30,000
American Athletic Conference winner odds at Fox Bet
- Temple: +4,000
Temple early 2020 betting lines (via FanDuel)
- UCF Knights vs. Temple (+18.5)
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