Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley plays his collegiate finale and has broken nearly every school record at the position in his stellar career.
It’s two very different teams facing off in the New Year’s Day Citrus Bowl from Orlando as No. 14 Kentucky of the SEC takes on No. 12 Penn State of the Big Ten.
Citrus Bowl Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
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Opening 3 Dec 3:06pm | UK | -4.5 -110 | O +48 -110 |
Closing 1 Jan 4:07pm | UK | -5 -110 | O +47.5 -110 |
The top bowls are the New Year’s six games, while the Citrus Bowl is atop the next tier down. The Citrus has been played since New Year’s Day 1947 and was a minor bowl for years. When the BCS era began, the Citrus made a push to become the fifth BCS game but wasn’t chosen. It has paired a SEC and Big Ten school for more than two decades with the exception of the 2016 season when Louisville of the ACC faced LSU from the SEC.
Kentucky, which doesn’t have much of a football history, is in the Citrus Bowl for the first time. It’s the third straight bowl game for the Cats under Mark Stoops and they lost the previous two – last year by just a point to Big Ten school Northwestern in the Music City Bowl. UK’s last bowl win was the 2008 Liberty.
Penn State plays in the Citrus Bowl for the sixth time and first since New Year’s Day 2010. It’s the fifth straight bowl game for the Lions under fifth-year coach James Franklin. They are 2-2 in them, winning last year’s Fiesta Bowl over Washington.
It’s the sixth all-time meetings between the schools and first since the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day 1999.
Kentucky Wildcats
Stoops entered this season fighting for his job but that’s no longer an issue as Kentucky was in position to play in the SEC Championship Game for the first time in school history. However, the Wildcats lost an East Division winner-take-all game home to Georgia and then lost again the next week at Tennessee before closing the season with two easy wins. It’s a very conservative, run-heavy offence, led by All-SEC running back Benny Snell and his 1,305 yards and 14 touchdowns on 263 carries. QB Terry Wilson is a dual-threat, throwing for 1,768 yards and 11 scores while rushing for 518 and four more TDs. Kentucky largely wins on defence, allowing just 16.3 ppg. The Cats are better against the pass (No. 16 nationally) than the run (44th). Linebacker Josh Allen was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year (also winning Bednarik and Nagurski Awards nationally), while fellow LB Jordan Jones, fifth on the team with tackles, is ineligible for the bowl game. Kentucky looks for its first 10-win season since 1977.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Even after losing star running back Saquon Barkley as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft, the Lions entered this season with national title aspirations. Those vanished with back-to-back crushing home losses – by a combined four points – to Ohio State and Michigan State. PSU’s other loss wasn’t close as it was routed at Michigan. It’s not easy playing in the Big Ten East, the nation’s toughest division. Quarterback Trace McSorley plays his collegiate finale and has broken nearly every school record at the position in his stellar career. He threw for 16 scores and rushed for 11 this year. Miles Sanders capably replaced Barkley in rushing for 1,223 yards and nine scores. PSU is looking for a 10-win season for a third straight year, something the program hasn’t accomplished since 1980-82.
Injuries
Jordan Jones (LB)
Zy'Aire Hughes (WR)
Dorian Baker (WR)
Darius West (S)
Benny Snell Jr. (RB)
Naasir Watkins (T)
Kash Daniel (LB)
Sihiem King (RB)
Keaton Upshaw (TE)
Landon Young (T)
Tommy Stevens (QB)
Brandon Polk (WR)
Trace McSorley (QB)
Ricky Slade (RB)
DeAndre Thompkins (WR)
Pat Freiermuth (TE)
Juwan Johnson (WR)
Ellison Jordan (DT)
Antonio Shelton (DT)
KJ Hamler (WR)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
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Jordan Jones (LB) | Out Tues | Eligibility - 18 / 12 / 18 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Jones will not suit up against Penn State in the Citrus Bowl as he has been deemed ineligible by the NCAA. |
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Zy'Aire Hughes (WR) | Out Tues | Suspension - 03 / 12 / 18 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Hughes has been suspended by the team following an arrest on assault charges and will not play in the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Penn State. |
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Dorian Baker (WR) | Prob Sat | Suspension - 12 / 11 / 18 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
Baker has served his suspension and is expected to be available against Middle Tennessee on Saturday. |
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Darius West (S) | Ques Sat | Suspension - 04 / 11 / 18 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
West has been suspended for the first half of Saturday's game against Tennessee and it is unclear if he will play in the second half. |
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Benny Snell Jr. (RB) | Prob Sat | Foot - 21 / 10 / 18 | 2-4 | 3-3 | + - |
Snell Jr. is expected to suit up against Missouri on Saturday despite a foot injury. |
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Naasir Watkins (T) | Ques Sat | Knee - 01 / 10 / 18 | - | - | + - |
Watkins missed the last game with a knee injury and it is unknown if he will line up Saturday against Missouri. |
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Kash Daniel (LB) | Ques Sat | Suspension - 30 / 09 / 18 | - | - | + - |
Daniel has been suspended for the first half of Saturday's game against Texas A&M and it is unknown if he will be available for the second half. |
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Sihiem King (RB) | out for season | Redshirt - 30 / 09 / 18 | - | - | + - |
King is expected to sit out the remainder of the season as he is expected to redshirt. |
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Keaton Upshaw (TE) | out for season | Lower Body - 17 / 09 / 18 | - | - | + - |
Upshaw is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a lower-body injury. |
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Landon Young (T) | out for season | Knee - 26 / 08 / 18 | - | - | + - |
Young is expected to miss the entire 2018 season with a major knee injury. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tommy Stevens (QB) | Out Tues | Undisclosed - 26 / 12 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Stevens will not play in the VRBO Citrus Bowl due to an unspecified injury. |
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Brandon Polk (WR) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 17 / 11 / 18 | 2-1 | 0-3 | + - |
Polk missed the previous three games with an unspecified ailment and it is unknown if he will play in the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Kentucky. |
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Trace McSorley (QB) | Ques Sat | Lower Body - 28 / 10 / 18 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
McSorley has a lower-body injury and it is uncertain if he will be in Saturday's lineup against Michigan. |
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Ricky Slade (RB) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 23 / 10 / 18 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
Slade has missed the last two games dealing with an unspecified injury and it is unknown if he will take the field Saturday against Wisconsin. |
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DeAndre Thompkins (WR) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 22 / 10 / 18 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
Thompkins is nursing an undefined injury and it is uncertain if he will take part in Saturday's contest against Iowa. |
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Pat Freiermuth (TE) | Ques Sat | Lower Body - 21 / 10 / 18 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
Freiermuth missed the last game with a lower-body injury and it is undetermined if he will suit up Saturday against Michigan. |
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Juwan Johnson (WR) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 21 / 10 / 18 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
Johnson is dealing with a left ankle injury but is expected to play Saturday against Iowa. |
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Ellison Jordan (DT) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 08 / 10 / 18 | - | - | + - |
Jordan has been sidelined with a knee injury and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup. |
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Antonio Shelton (DT) | Ques Sat | Suspension - 08 / 10 / 18 | - | - | + - |
Shelton will serve a suspension for targeting during the first half of Saturday's game against Michigan State. |
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KJ Hamler (WR) | Prob Sat | Head - 30 / 09 / 18 | - | - | + - |
Hamler has a head injury but it is likely he will play against Michigan State on Saturday. |
Wildcats vs. Nittany Lions Prediction
-
WILDCATS
27 -
NITTANY LIONS
30
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 3 Dec 3:06pm UK -4.5 -110 O +48 -110 Closing 1 Jan 4:07pm UK -5 -110 O +47.5 -110 -
Injuries
Jordan Jones (LB)
Out Tues Eligibility - 18 / 12 / 18Zy'Aire Hughes (WR)
Out Tues Suspension - 03 / 12 / 18Dorian Baker (WR)
Prob Sat Suspension - 12 / 11 / 18Darius West (S)
Ques Sat Suspension - 04 / 11 / 18Benny Snell Jr. (RB)
Prob Sat Foot - 21 / 10 / 18Naasir Watkins (T)
Ques Sat Knee - 01 / 10 / 18Kash Daniel (LB)
Ques Sat Suspension - 30 / 09 / 18Sihiem King (RB)
out for season Redshirt - 30 / 09 / 18Keaton Upshaw (TE)
out for season Lower Body - 17 / 09 / 18Landon Young (T)
out for season Knee - 26 / 08 / 18Tommy Stevens (QB)
Out Tues Undisclosed - 26 / 12 / 18Brandon Polk (WR)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 17 / 11 / 18Trace McSorley (QB)
Ques Sat Lower Body - 28 / 10 / 18Ricky Slade (RB)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 23 / 10 / 18DeAndre Thompkins (WR)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 22 / 10 / 18Pat Freiermuth (TE)
Ques Sat Lower Body - 21 / 10 / 18Juwan Johnson (WR)
Prob Sat Ankle - 21 / 10 / 18Ellison Jordan (DT)
Out indefinitely Knee - 08 / 10 / 18Antonio Shelton (DT)
Ques Sat Suspension - 08 / 10 / 18KJ Hamler (WR)
Prob Sat Head - 30 / 09 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jordan Jones (LB) Out Tues Eligibility - 18 / 12 / 18 1-0 1-0 + - Jones will not suit up against Penn State in the Citrus Bowl as he has been deemed ineligible by the NCAA.
Zy'Aire Hughes (WR) Out Tues Suspension - 03 / 12 / 18 1-0 1-0 + - Hughes has been suspended by the team following an arrest on assault charges and will not play in the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Penn State.
Dorian Baker (WR) Prob Sat Suspension - 12 / 11 / 18 1-2 2-1 + - Baker has served his suspension and is expected to be available against Middle Tennessee on Saturday.
Darius West (S) Ques Sat Suspension - 04 / 11 / 18 1-3 3-1 + - West has been suspended for the first half of Saturday's game against Tennessee and it is unclear if he will play in the second half.
Benny Snell Jr. (RB) Prob Sat Foot - 21 / 10 / 18 2-4 3-3 + - Snell Jr. is expected to suit up against Missouri on Saturday despite a foot injury.
Naasir Watkins (T) Ques Sat Knee - 01 / 10 / 18 - - + - Watkins missed the last game with a knee injury and it is unknown if he will line up Saturday against Missouri.
Kash Daniel (LB) Ques Sat Suspension - 30 / 09 / 18 - - + - Daniel has been suspended for the first half of Saturday's game against Texas A&M and it is unknown if he will be available for the second half.
Sihiem King (RB) out for season Redshirt - 30 / 09 / 18 - - + - King is expected to sit out the remainder of the season as he is expected to redshirt.
Keaton Upshaw (TE) out for season Lower Body - 17 / 09 / 18 - - + - Upshaw is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a lower-body injury.
Landon Young (T) out for season Knee - 26 / 08 / 18 - - + - Young is expected to miss the entire 2018 season with a major knee injury.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Tommy Stevens (QB) Out Tues Undisclosed - 26 / 12 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Stevens will not play in the VRBO Citrus Bowl due to an unspecified injury.
Brandon Polk (WR) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 17 / 11 / 18 2-1 0-3 + - Polk missed the previous three games with an unspecified ailment and it is unknown if he will play in the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Kentucky.
Trace McSorley (QB) Ques Sat Lower Body - 28 / 10 / 18 3-2 2-3 + - McSorley has a lower-body injury and it is uncertain if he will be in Saturday's lineup against Michigan.
Ricky Slade (RB) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 23 / 10 / 18 3-3 3-3 + - Slade has missed the last two games dealing with an unspecified injury and it is unknown if he will take the field Saturday against Wisconsin.
DeAndre Thompkins (WR) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 22 / 10 / 18 3-3 3-3 + - Thompkins is nursing an undefined injury and it is uncertain if he will take part in Saturday's contest against Iowa.
Pat Freiermuth (TE) Ques Sat Lower Body - 21 / 10 / 18 3-3 3-3 + - Freiermuth missed the last game with a lower-body injury and it is undetermined if he will suit up Saturday against Michigan.
Juwan Johnson (WR) Prob Sat Ankle - 21 / 10 / 18 3-3 3-3 + - Johnson is dealing with a left ankle injury but is expected to play Saturday against Iowa.
Ellison Jordan (DT) Out indefinitely Knee - 08 / 10 / 18 - - + - Jordan has been sidelined with a knee injury and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup.
Antonio Shelton (DT) Ques Sat Suspension - 08 / 10 / 18 - - + - Shelton will serve a suspension for targeting during the first half of Saturday's game against Michigan State.
KJ Hamler (WR) Prob Sat Head - 30 / 09 / 18 - - + - Hamler has a head injury but it is likely he will play against Michigan State on Saturday.