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Preview · college football

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Penn State Nittany Lions vs Northwestern Wildcats Prediction & Preview

Penn State Nittany Lions at Northwestern Wildcats in college football, Friday, October 2. Goalorithm's model makes a Penn State Nittany Lions win the likelier result at 74.5%. The preview covers the records and recent results.

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Published September 28, 2026 · By the Goalorithm model desk

Final: Northwestern Wildcats 34–13 Penn State Nittany Lions. Read the game analysis →

Preview

The Penn State Nittany Lions visit the Northwestern Wildcats in college football on Friday, October 2, with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. ET. Goalorithm's model makes the Penn State Nittany Lions the likelier winner, while projecting a game with points from both teams.

What the model expects

The model's figures are estimates, not certainties. It gives the Northwestern Wildcats 25.5% to win and the Penn State Nittany Lions 74.5%; its likelier result is a Penn State Nittany Lions win.

The projected score is Northwestern Wildcats 20.5, Penn State Nittany Lions 29, with 49.5 points in all. The projected margin is the Penn State Nittany Lions by 8.5 points.

Records and recent results

The Northwestern Wildcats are 2-1 overall this season, with 98 points scored and 54 allowed in 3 games. The Penn State Nittany Lions are 3-1, with 147 points scored and 46 allowed in 4 games; the Penn State Nittany Lions have the better record.

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American footballPreview· college football

New Mexico State Aggies vs Florida International Panthers Prediction & Preview

New Mexico State Aggies at Florida International Panthers in college football, Wednesday, October 7. Goalorithm's model makes a Florida International Panthers win the likelier result at 78%. The preview covers the records and recent results.

Wed, Oct 7 · 7:30 PM ET

American footballPreview· college football

Missouri State Bears vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Prediction & Preview

Missouri State Bears at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in college football, Thursday, October 8. Goalorithm's model makes a Missouri State Bears win the likelier result at 65.2%. The preview covers the records and recent results.

Predictions
Games
Standings

The Northwestern Wildcats lost 29-23 on the road to the Indiana Hoosiers on September 25, and before that beat the Colorado Buffaloes 41-7 at home on September 19. Their latest result followed a win over the Colorado Buffaloes. The Penn State Nittany Lions lost 24-20 at home to the Wisconsin Badgers on September 26, and before that beat the Buffalo Bulls 55-13 at home on September 19. That loss followed a win over the Buffalo Bulls.

See every number for this game in the Game Center →

How this was written: an AI writer drafts the words from Goalorithm's own data. Every figure is filled in from our model and game records, never by the writer, and nothing we don't hold is guessed. Probabilities are model estimates, not certainties.

For informational/entertainment purposes only — not betting or financial advice. 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

college football

Northwestern Wildcats vs Penn State Nittany Lions

Fri, Oct 2 · 8:00 PM ET

Goalorithm's model

Northwestern Wildcats
25.5%
Penn State Nittany Lions
74.5%

Projected points

Northwestern Wildcats
20.5
Penn State Nittany Lions
29
Total
49.5
Projected margin
Penn State Nittany Lions by 8.5

The margin and total are the model's own lines, not bookmakers'.

Open the Game Center

Thu, Oct 8 · 7:00 PM ET

American footballPreview· college football

Sam Houston Bearkats vs Liberty Flames Prediction & Preview

Sam Houston Bearkats at Liberty Flames in college football, Thursday, October 8. Goalorithm's model makes a Liberty Flames win the likelier result at 78.7%. The preview covers the records and recent results.

Thu, Oct 8 · 7:00 PM ET

American footballPreview· college football

South Florida Bulls vs UTSA Roadrunners Prediction & Preview

South Florida Bulls at UTSA Roadrunners in college football, Thursday, October 8. Goalorithm's model makes a South Florida Bulls win the likelier result at 73.8%. The preview covers the records and recent results.

Thu, Oct 8 · 7:30 PM ET