The 2025 Penn State football schedule is set to be released soon, and fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement. The Nittany Lions are coming off a successful 2024 season, in which they finished 11-2 and won the Rose Bowl. Expectations are high for the 2025 season, and the schedule will play a big role in determining whether the Nittany Lions can meet those expectations.
Penn State will open the 2025 season at home against the West Virginia Mountaineers. This will be the first meeting between the two schools since 2016. The Mountaineers are coming off a 6-7 season in 2024, but they have a talented roster and could be a tough opponent for the Nittany Lions.
After the opener against West Virginia, Penn State will travel to face the Auburn Tigers. This will be the first meeting between the two schools since 2012. The Tigers are coming off a disappointing 5-7 season in 2024, but they have a lot of talent and could be a tough opponent for the Nittany Lions. Penn State will then have a bye week before hosting the Maryland Terrapins. The Terrapins are coming off a 7-6 season in 2024, and they could be a tough opponent for the Nittany Lions. Penn State will then travel to face the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes are coming off a 12-1 season in 2024, and they are one of the favorites to win the national championship in 2025. This will be a tough test for the Nittany Lions, but it will also be a great opportunity for them to prove themselves against one of the best teams in the country.
Nittany Lions Face Challenging Slate in 2025
Returning Home for a Rematch
The Nittany Lions will have a chance to avenge last year’s tough loss to the Maryland Terrapins when they host the Big Ten East rival at home. Maryland has been a thorn in the side of Penn State in recent years, posting an impressive 3-2 record against the Nittany Lions since 2014. With the Terrapins’ high-powered offense, led by quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, Penn State’s defense will be tested once again.
Looking ahead to the rest of the schedule, Penn State will face a daunting task with three road games against top-10 opponents: Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The Ohio State matchup holds particular significance, as it will mark the 100th anniversary of the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Penn State will also host two other Big Ten East opponents, Indiana and Michigan State, at Beaver Stadium.
In addition to the conference schedule, Penn State will face four non-conference opponents: Ball State, St. Francis, West Virginia, and Pitt. The game against Pitt will serve as the final game of the regular season and will be played at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| August 30 | Ball State | Beaver Stadium |
| September 6 | St. Francis | Beaver Stadium |
| September 13 | Maryland | Beaver Stadium |
| September 20 | West Virginia | Beaver Stadium |
| September 27 | at Ohio State | Ohio Stadium |
| October 4 | Indiana | Beaver Stadium |
| October 11 | at Michigan | Michigan Stadium |
| October 18 | BYE | |
| October 25 | at Wisconsin | Camp Randall Stadium |
| November 1 | Michigan State | Beaver Stadium |
| November 8 | BYE | |
| November 15 | Rutgers | SHI Stadium |
| November 22 | at Pitt | Acrisure Stadium |
Key Matchups in the Penn State Football Schedule
Highlighting Key Conferences Clash
Within the Big Ten Conference, Penn State has several crucial games that will shape their season. The annual rivalry game against Ohio State on October 25th at home will be a pivotal matchup. The Buckeyes have been a consistent contender for the College Football Playoff, and the Nittany Lions will need to play their best to pull off an upset.
The Michigan game on November 15th in Ann Arbor will also be a major test. The Wolverines are coming off a College Football Playoff appearance and will pose a formidable challenge for Penn State.
The Nittany Lions will also face tough road games against Wisconsin on October 18th and Purdue on November 8th. Both teams have been competitive in recent years and will pose challenges for Penn State on the road.
Early Season Tests
Penn State’s non-conference schedule features some intriguing matchups that could provide early season tests. The Nittany Lions open the season at home against West Virginia on September 6th. The Mountaineers are a traditional rival and will provide a solid test for Penn State’s defense.
Penn State will also travel to Auburn on September 13th in a battle of two Power Five programs. The Tigers are expected to be a competitive team in 2025, and this game will be an early opportunity for the Nittany Lions to prove their worth.
The Nittany Lions will then host Ball State on September 20th in their final non-conference game. Ball State is a mid-major program, but they have upset major conference teams in the past.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| September 6 | West Virginia | Beaver Stadium |
| September 13 | Auburn | Jordan-Hare Stadium |
| September 20 | Ball State | Beaver Stadium |
Penn State’s Home and Away Matchups Revealed
The Nittany Lions will open the 2025 season at home against Fresno State on Aug. 30. They will then face Army at home on Sept. 6 before hitting the road for a matchup with West Virginia on Sept. 13.
Penn State will return home to face Ball State on Sept. 20 before traveling to Michigan on Sept. 27. The Nittany Lions will then host Ohio State on Oct. 4 before facing Indiana on the road on Oct. 11.
Penn State will have a bye week on Oct. 18 before facing Maryland at home on Oct. 25. The Nittany Lions will then travel to Rutgers on Nov. 1 before hosting Michigan State on Nov. 8.
Penn State will face Minnesota on the road on Nov. 15 before hosting Purdue on Nov. 22. The Nittany Lions will close out the regular season at Michigan State on Nov. 29.
Here is a detailed look at Penn State’s 2025 schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 30 | Fresno State | Beaver Stadium |
| Sept. 6 | Army | Beaver Stadium |
| Sept. 13 | West Virginia | Milan Puskar Stadium |
| Sept. 20 | Ball State | Beaver Stadium |
| Sept. 27 | Michigan | Michigan Stadium |
| Oct. 4 | Ohio State | Beaver Stadium |
| Oct. 11 | Indiana | Memorial Stadium |
| Oct. 18 | Bye | |
| Oct. 25 | Maryland | Beaver Stadium |
| Nov. 1 | Rutgers | SHU Stadium |
| Nov. 8 | Michigan State | Beaver Stadium |
| Nov. 15 | Minnesota | Huntington Bank Stadium |
| Nov. 22 | Purdue | Beaver Stadium |
| Nov. 29 | Michigan State | Spartan Stadium |
Impact of New Conference Partnerships on Schedule
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team will compete in the Big Ten Conference in 2025, as the school is set to join the conference that year. The move to the Big Ten will have a significant impact on the Nittany Lions’ schedule, as they will now face a new set of opponents each year.
New Opponents
With the move to the Big Ten, Penn State will face a number of new opponents on a regular basis. These opponents include:
| School | Location |
|---|---|
| Illinois | Champaign, IL |
| Indiana | Bloomington, IN |
| Maryland | College Park, MD |
| Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI |
| Michigan State | East Lansing, MI |
| Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN |
| Nebraska | Lincoln, NE |
| Northwestern | Evanston, IL |
| Ohio State | Columbus, OH |
| Purdue | West Lafayette, IN |
| Rutgers | Piscataway, NJ |
| Wisconsin | Madison, WI |
In addition to these new regular season opponents, Penn State will also face a new set of opponents in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Big Ten Championship Game is played between the winners of the Big Ten East and West divisions, and Penn State will now be eligible to compete in this game.
Scheduling Challenges
The move to the Big Ten will also present some scheduling challenges for Penn State. The Nittany Lions will now have to play nine conference games each year, which will leave less room for non-conference games. Additionally, Penn State will now have to travel to a number of new locations, which will add to the team’s travel costs.
Overall Impact
The move to the Big Ten will have a significant impact on the Penn State football schedule. The Nittany Lions will now face a new set of opponents each year, and they will have to travel to a number of new locations. Additionally, Penn State will now be eligible to compete in the Big Ten Championship Game. While the move to the Big Ten will present some scheduling challenges, it will also give Penn State the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the country.
Strength of Opponent Analysis for Penn State’s 2025 Season
Overall Strength of Schedule
Penn State’s 2025 schedule is a challenging one, with five Power Five opponents and three Group of Five teams. The Nittany Lions are ranked 26th in ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) for the 2025 season, which puts them in the middle of the pack among Power Five teams.
Strength of Non-Conference Opponents
Penn State’s non-conference schedule features games against West Virginia, Temple, and UMass. West Virginia is a perennial contender in the Big 12, and they will be a tough test for the Nittany Lions. Temple is a Group of Five team, but they are a well-coached program that has been competitive in recent years. UMass is a rebuilding program, but they will be looking to make a statement against Penn State.
Strength of Conference Opponents
Penn State’s conference schedule includes games against Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Wisconsin, and Maryland. Ohio State is the perennial favorite in the Big Ten, and they will be a major challenge for Penn State. Michigan and Michigan State are both rising powers in the Big Ten, and they will be tough opponents for the Nittany Lions. Indiana, Purdue, and Wisconsin are all solid teams, and they will be looking to upset Penn State. Maryland is a rebuilding program, but they have some talented players, and they will be looking to make a statement against Penn State.
Key Matchups
Penn State’s most challenging games in 2025 will be against Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State. These are all top-25 teams, and they will be tough tests for the Nittany Lions. Penn State will need to play their best to win these games.
Projected Win-Loss Record
Based on the strength of their schedule, Penn State is projected to finish the 2025 season with a record of 9-3. This would be a solid season for the Nittany Lions, but they will need to play well to achieve this record.
| Opponent | Record |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | 6-6 |
| Temple | 4-8 |
| UMass | 2-10 |
| Ohio State | 11-1 |
| Michigan | 10-2 |
| Michigan State | 9-3 |
| Indiana | 7-5 |
| Purdue | 8-4 |
| Wisconsin | 9-3 |
| Maryland | 6-6 |
Penn State’s Non-Conference Tests in 2025
Georgia State
The Nittany Lions will open the 2025 season at home against Georgia State. The Panthers are coming off a 6-6 season in 2022 and will be looking to make a statement against a Power Five opponent.
Villanova
Penn State will then travel to Villanova to take on the Wildcats. Villanova is a member of the FCS and is coming off a 10-3 season in 2022. The Wildcats will be looking to pull off a major upset against the Nittany Lions.
East Carolina
The Nittany Lions will return home to face East Carolina in their third non-conference game of the season. The Pirates are coming off a 7-5 season in 2022 and will be looking to make a statement against a Power Five opponent.
Pittsburgh
Penn State will travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers in their fourth non-conference game of the season. The Panthers are coming off a 9-4 season in 2022 and will be looking to make a statement against their in-state rival.
Non-Conference Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| August 29 | Georgia State | Beaver Stadium |
| September 6 | Villanova | Villanova Stadium |
| September 13 | East Carolina | Beaver Stadium |
| September 20 | Pittsburgh | Heinz Field |
Cincinnati
In the sixth game of their 2025 season, the Nittany Lions will host the Cincinnati Bearcats. The Bearcats are coming off a 9-4 season in 2022 and will be looking to make a statement against a Power Five opponent. Penn State and Cincinnati have not met since 2010, when the Nittany Lions won 31-26. The game will be a rematch of the 2022 Fenway Bowl, which Cincinnati won 24-13.
The Bearcats are led by head coach Luke Fickell, who is entering his seventh season at the helm. Fickell has led Cincinnati to three consecutive 10-win seasons and has the Bearcats ranked in the top 25 for most of his tenure. Cincinnati is known for its physical and aggressive style of play, and they will be a tough test for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State will need to be at their best to beat Cincinnati. The Nittany Lions will need to control the line of scrimmage and force the Bearcats into making mistakes. Penn State will also need to take advantage of its opportunities in the red zone, as Cincinnati has a strong defense that will make it difficult to score points.
Top Performers to Watch in 2025
Sean Clifford (QB)
The veteran quarterback enters his fifth season as a starter for the Nittany Lions.
Nick Singleton (RB)
The five-star running back from Governor Mifflin High School is poised to have a breakout season.
Kaytron Allen (RB)
The speedy back from IMG Academy will provide a dynamic complement to Singleton.
Drew Allar (QB)
The talented freshman will be looking to earn playing time behind Clifford.
Parker Washington (WR)
The electric wide receiver is one of the best pass-catchers in the country.
Olu Fashanu (DT)
The massive defensive tackle will be a force in the middle of the Penn State defense.
Dani Dennis-Sutton (DE)
The speedy edge rusher is coming off a breakout season and should be even better in 2025.
Penn State Football’s Playoff Hopes in 2025
With a talented roster and a favorable schedule, Penn State has a realistic chance of making the College Football Playoff in 2025.
10. Indiana (Home)
The Hoosiers have been a perennial bottom-feeder in the Big Ten, but they are slowly improving under head coach Tom Allen. Penn State should still be favored in this matchup, but it’s a trap game that the Nittany Lions can’t afford to overlook.
Here’s a closer look at Penn State’s 2025 football schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| August 30 | West Virginia | Beaver Stadium |
| September 6 | at Syracuse | Carrier Dome |
| September 13 | Kent State | Beaver Stadium |
| September 20 | at Purdue | Ross-Ade Stadium |
| September 27 | Ohio State | Beaver Stadium |
| October 4 | at Michigan State | Spartan Stadium |
| October 11 | Indiana | Beaver Stadium |
| October 18 | at Minnesota | Huntington Bank Stadium |
| October 25 | Maryland | Beaver Stadium |
| November 1 | Michigan | Beaver Stadium |
| November 8 | at Wisconsin | Camp Randall Stadium |
| November 15 | Rutgers | Beaver Stadium |
