Eckel picks the Big Ten: Rutgers vs Penn State where a strange line prompts different thinking

Rutgers at Penn State (-5), 7 p.m.

From strictly a betting standpoint this is a strange one.

Despite three-quarters, or more, of the money being wagered on the home team Nittany Lions (20-7, 10-6), the line dropped from minus six as of Wednesday morning to minus five by Wednesday afternoon.

I’m not exactly sure what that means.

I am very sure that both teams are slumping and need a win Wednesday night.

Rutgers (18-10, 9-8) has lost three of its last four, five of its last seven and since beating Penn State, 72-61, at the RAC to move to 12-3 on the season, is just 6-7. Once ranked in the top 20 the Scarlet Knights are now not assured a spot in the NCAA tournament.

Penn State, ranked 16th in the latest poll, has dropped two straight to Illinois and at Indiana.

The telling stat in this one is the home/road records. Penn State is 13-2 at home overall and 10-5 at home against the spread. The Nitts have also covered in eight of their last 10 games.

Rutgers is a dismal 1-7 on the road, although it is 4-3-1 on the road ATS.

The Pick: This line is a little tricky, so we’re staying away and suggesting you take the over 137 total instead.