Penn State-Northwestern: Start time, channel, how to watch and stream

No. 6 Penn State (4-0) hits the road as overwhelming favorites this week against the Northwestern Wildcats (2-2) Saturday afternoon on the Big Ten Network.

Through four games, the Nittany Lions have outscored their opponents 162-35, including a 31-0 blowout against a ranked Iowa team last week, the first time the Hawkeyes have been held scoreless in 23 seasons.

Penn State is the only team in the country without a turnover allowed this season and is averaging more than 40 points a game, tops in the Big Ten. Despite that, the Nittany Lions remain underrated across college football, according to veteran ESPN college football writer (and Northwestern grad) Adam Rittenberg.

“The Nittany Lions rightfully will be judged by how they fare against Ohio State (Oct. 21, road) and Michigan (Nov. 11, home), but they have outscored their first four opponents 162-35 and boast a roster, or at least a defense, that might be the most talented in coach James Franklin’s tenure,” Rittenberg wrote this week, pointing to a stout defense that might end up producing three first-round picks — cornerback Kalen King and defensive ends Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac.

There’s also sophomore quarterback Drew Allar, who has shown composure in the pocket in his first season as a starter. While Penn State’s offense has lacked explosiveness, Allar has completed more than 67% of his passes, tossed eight touchdowns in four games, and has yet to throw an interception. He’s also only been sacked twice.

“I think we need to be able to show that we can grind it out to win, which we have. But I also think we need to show that we can be explosive to win as well,” Penn State head coach James Franklin told reporters this week. “We’ve done that at times, but probably not as much as we’ve grinded it out.”

Here’s everything you need to know to watch or stream the Penn State-Northwestern matchup:

Saturday’s Penn State-Northwestern game will kick off at noon Eastern on the Big Ten Network.

Calling the game will be Mark Followill and Jake Butt, with Brooke Fletcher reporting from the sideline at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill.

You also can tune into 1210 WPHT. Calling the game on the radio will be longtime play-by-play announcer Steve Jones, joined by NFL Hall of Famer and former Nittany Lions linebacker Jack Ham.

Penn State-Northwestern can also be heard on Sirius/XM channels 83/113.

» READ MORE: A big part of Penn State’s coaching approach this season? Patience.

Penn State-Northwestern will stream on the Fox Sports app, though you’ll need a cable login.

The game also will stream on any so-called skinny bundle that carries the Big Ten Network, including fuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and DirecTV Stream. Most offer a free trial.

The Nittany Lions enter the game as huge favorites against the Wildcats. Overall, Penn State is 15-5 against Northwestern, and Saturday’s matchups certainly don’t favor the Wildcats, but history isn’t all on Penn State’s side.

Northwestern has defeated Penn State twice in their last four games, including a tough 23-21 loss at Ryan Field in 2015. Penn State also struggled against Northwestern last season, narrowly slushing pass the Wildcats in a game made sloppy by the remnants of Hurricane Ian.

Here are the results from the five most recent Penn State-Northwestern games:

» READ MORE: Penn State readies to bring its ‘own juice’ on the road against Big Ten foe Northwestern

Temple played on Thursday, suffering a blowout loss to Tulsa in their first AAC matchup. The Owls will be back at the Linc on Oct. 7 to take on the University of Texas at San Antonio.

The University of Delaware has a bye week. The Blue Hens (3-1) will host the Duquesne Dukes on Oct. 7 at 3 p.m.

Here are the rest of the Philadelphia-area college football teams in action Saturday:

» READ MORE: Penn football looks to keep momentum going in Ivy and home opener vs. Dartmouth