Columbia vs Penn Predictions, Start Time, Odds: NCAAF Picks for Friday – USFTB

October 16, 2026 4 Min Read

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The Columbia Lions take on the Penn Quakers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Friday, Oct. 16. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Penn is favored by -6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -235. Columbia, meanwhile, enters as a +6.5 underdog and is +186 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 47.5 total points.

Here’s my Columbia vs Penn prediction and college football pick for Friday, October 16.

My Columbia vs Penn best bet is on both teams to go over the total. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page and be sure to download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis.

Columbia vs Penn Odds, Spread

Columbia vs Penn point spread: Columbia +6.5 (-110), Penn -6.5 (-110)
Columbia vs Penn over/under: 47.5 (-106o / -114u)
Columbia vs Penn moneyline: Columbia +186, Penn -235

Columbia comes into this game at 3-1 after a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Marist last week. Its defense struggled badly against the pass, as Marist went up and down the field several times in the first half.

The Lions were fortunate to register two defensive touchdowns, as the offense also had a hard time in the first half.

Columbia has nice wins this season over Patriot League foes Georgetown and Lafayette and will now look to avoid an 0-2 start in Ivy League play on Friday night with a road bout at Penn.

Quarterback Chase Goodwin has thrown the ball fairly well this season, completing 61% of his passes for 1,252 yards and eight touchdowns.

The receiver group boasts three explosive playmakers in Bryce Coleman, Hutch Crow and Beckett Robinson, who have combined for 832 yards this season.

The ground attack has been middling, with running back Griffin Johnson serving as the primary ball-carrier. Johnson has rushed for 406 yards and has two rushing touchdowns this season, but the ground attack hasn’t produced chunk plays.

The offensive line has also played poorly while allowing too much Havoc. Backfield activity could become a problem on the road against Penn this week.

The defense played well in the opening pair of games against weak Patriot League teams, but Princeton and Marist have shredded the Lions over the last two weeks. The coverage unit was regularly out of position, as explosive passes were a major problem.

The Lions are giving up 5.3 yards per carry this season, which could be an issue against a Penn offense looking to finally find its footing on the ground.

Penn comes in at 2-2, but the Quakers have had two impressive showings in defeat against Lehigh and Dartmouth sandwiched between victories over Bucknell and Howard.

Last week against the Bison, starting quarterback Miles Teodecki was injured in the second quarter, but backup Karson Siqueiros-Lasky shined while leading a fourth-quarter comeback.

Siqueiros-Lasky threw for 226 yards and a pair of touchdowns while also catching a touchdown pass on a trick play.

Penn might have found something with the backup quarterback, as the offense had been stale all season prior to Siqueiros-Lasky taking over.

The ground game is still an issue, with Penn averaging just 107 yards per game on the ground and 3.3 yards per carry. Teodecki was the team’s leading rusher, and the running backs haven’t produced.

Penn’s defense has been stout this year, holding foes to just 225 yards per game and 3.9 yards per play. The front has registered 23 tackles for loss, including nine sacks, while holding opponents to just a 23% third-down conversion rate.

The pressure should frustrate Columbia, and Penn’s defensive front should have a strong say in what this game looks like on Friday night.

This line opened with Penn listed as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 46.5. I like the over in this matchup.

Penn has found something with Siqueiros-Lasky, who led two scoring drives in the fourth quarter to help Penn come back and defeat Howard last week.

KSL completed 19-of-29 passes for 226 yards and looked poised in the pocket despite heavy blitz pressure. You can argue the offense is in better hands with Siqueiros-Lasky, and I expect it to look more dynamic in this matchup against Columbia.

The Lions defense was shredded up and down the field against Marist last week, and the Red Foxes probably should have scored a couple more touchdowns than they did.

Columbia is giving up 352 yards per game and six yards per play on defense, and the last two weeks have been especially concerning. Penn will get red-zone opportunities, and I expect the Quakers to convert better than they have all season.

The Lions’ passing offense has been strong this season, so they should throw the ball here. Coleman, Crow and Robinson are explosive receivers, and this will be the best passing attack Penn has faced all season.

Goodwin has thrown multiple touchdowns in three of Columbia’s four games this season. In the game where Columbia scored just seven points against Princeton, the Lions racked up 422 offensive yards but scored on just 1-of-5 red-zone trips.

This group will move the ball, making red-zone conversions a key for Columbia to stay in this game.

We have a great quarterback matchup, and both teams should move the ball.

I think Penn is getting too much credit for its defense against poor offenses, and Columbia’s defense will keep being a liability, which should show up against a rejuvenated Penn offense.

Strap in for a fun Friday night Ivy League bout in which I expect points.

Pick: Over 46.5 (-110 or Better)