College Football: 1 Thought on Each 2025 Penn State Nittany Lions Opponent

Week 14 at Rutgers Scarlet Knights

There is nothing like the historic matchup of Penn State-Rutgers in the final week of the season. Kidding, Penn State needs a regular rival in the final week. Penn State has won the last 17 in the series. The Nittany Lions will either be playing for everything or nothing.

Week 1 vs. Nevada Wolfpack

This is the first-ever matchup between the two schools and will allow Penn State to start the season quickly. 

Spread: Penn State -45.5 (-110)

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Week 2 vs. FIU Panthers

FIU has experience playing in the Big Ten, but that’s about it. The Panthers are one of the worst Group of Five teams heading into 2025. 

Big Ten Championship Odds: +240

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Week 3 vs. Villanova Wildcats

The final non-conference game is an FCS foe. This is where depth can be developed for the rest of the Big Ten season.

National Championship Odds: +700

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Week 4 Bye Week

The Week 4 bye week comes ahead of an early season showdown with Oregon. That’ll be a long two weeks of hype.

2025 Season Win Total: 10.5 (Over +110/ Under -135)

Week 5 vs. Oregon Ducks

An early-season game with both Big Ten title and College Football Playoff implications. This will be Penn State’s ‘White Out’ game. The Nittany Lions should win this one if they want to accomplish their goals.

Week 6 at UCLA Bruins

Penn State took care of business 27-11 against UCLA last year, but this game is in the Rose Bowl, and UCLA is better. Not to mention the potential letdown coming off the Oregon game.

Week 7 vs. Northwestern Wildcats

A soft landing spot for the Nittany Lions after a long road trip. Penn State has won the last three matchups.

Week 8 at Iowa Hawkeyes

Penn State has seen their dreams die on trips to Kinnick before. Iowa always has an elite defense.

Week 9 Bye Week

The Nittany Lions get another bye week before one of, if not the, biggest regular-season game on the schedule.

Week 10 at Ohio State Buckeyes

The hill that James Franklin and Penn State have struggled to climb is Ohio State. Last year was supposed to be the year they beat the Buckeyes. Now they have to go into Columbus, where Ohio State will have had time to break in their young quarterback.

Week 11 vs. Indiana Hoosiers

Penn State has only lost to Indiana twice (2014, 2020) and has never lost to the Hoosiers at home. With a lot riding on the Ohio State game, this is a classic spot for a late season let down.

Week 12 at Michigan State

Penn State has won four of the last five in the series. They will be playing for more than Michigan State will at this point.

Week 13 vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

This is the first meeting since 2020 and just the second since 2017. There is nothing to take from past meetings. If Nebraska is improved, this could be a fun late-season game for Big Ten fans.

Week 14 at Rutgers Scarlet Knights

There is nothing like the historic matchup of Penn State-Rutgers in the final week of the season. Kidding, Penn State needs a regular rival in the final week. Penn State has won the last 17 in the series. The Nittany Lions will either be playing for everything or nothing.