2025 Penn State Nittany Lions CFB Betting Lines
In 2024, the Penn State Nittany Lions advanced to the College Football Playoff Final Four before falling 27-24 to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, one step short of the national championship game. Although the season was a success, head coach James Franklin lost to a Top 5 opponent for the 13th consecutive time. Thus, his “Big Game James” reputation continues into 2025. Indeed, Franklin is known derisively as “Big Game James.” That is because Franklin struggles against the Big Ten’s top teams. Penn State has consistently dominated most of the Big Ten. But their perpetual failures against Ohio State and Michigan have become a source of frustration in Happy Valley. In 2021, Franklin was touted to be the man who would save the USC Trojans. It was the latest of many silly season rumors that had become an annual irritant to Penn State. To shut down future speculation, Penn State signed Franklin to a long-term contract. However, while Franklin has been a good coach, he has yet to lead his team to a national championship.
College Football Betting Lines
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2025 Penn State Nittany Lions Preview
If the Nittany Lions are going to break through under head coach James Franklin, the 2025 season is their best opportunity. A team that fell just short of a trip to the national title game is stocked with experience. And Penn State’s stoutest competitors in the Big Ten — Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan — are rebuilding in ‘25.
Quarterback Drew Allar passed on the NFL, and three transfer additions — Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross, and Kyron Hudson — upgrade the receiving corps and alleviate the loss of tight end Tyler Warren to the NFL. Running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen also passed on the next level to chase a national title, a goal made easier with a stalwart offensive line returning.
The Nittany Lions owned one of the nation’s top defenses last season, holding teams to 16.5 points per game. But this unit could be even better in ’25, as veteran play-caller Jim Knowles left the archrival Buckeyes to take over defensive coordinator duties in Happy Valley. An experienced roster held together through offseason roster retention paid off for Michigan in 2023 and Ohio State in ’24 to win national titles. The Nittany Lions could be the next team to fit that mold.
2025 Penn State Nittany Lions Football Schedule
| DATE |
OPPONENT |
SCORE |
RECORD |
| Aug 30 |
vs. Nevada Wolf Pack |
- |
- |
| Sep 6 |
vs. FIU Panthers |
- |
- |
| Sep 13 |
vs. Villanova Wildcats |
- |
- |
| Sep 20 |
OFF |
| Sep 27 |
vs. Oregon Ducks |
- |
- |
| Oct 4 |
at UCLA Bruins |
- |
- |
| Oct 11 |
vs. Northwestern Wildcats |
- |
- |
| Oct 18 |
at Iowa Hawkeyes |
- |
- |
| Oct 25 |
OFF |
| Nov 1 |
at Ohio State Buckeyes |
- |
- |
| Nov 8 |
vs. Indiana Hoosiers |
- |
- |
| Nov 15 |
at Michigan State Spartans |
- |
- |
| Nov 22 |
vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers |
- |
- |
| Nov 29 |
at Rutgers Scarlet Knights |
- |
- |
The Penn State Nittany Lions have a troubled history of triumph and tragedy. And most of it is tied to the late head coach Joe Paterno.
Penn State won its only two national championships under Paterno in 1982 and 1986. Additionally, the Nittany Lions had three other unclaimed national titles under Joe Paterno. Paterno won four Big Ten titles after moving his program into that league after decades in independent status.
Paterno went 409-136-3 at Penn State but was forced out in disgrace. In 2011, Penn State had a sexual abuse scandal blow up on the national news. It regarded former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky raping boys.
Paterno admitted that he should have taken more action about the situation when he learned of it. Although he reported what he knew to his superiors, he did not follow up. A cover-up ensued, and Paterno’s career and reputation were ruined.
Great former Penn State players include John Cappelletti, Mike Reid, Chuck Fusina, Kerry Collins, LaVar Arrington, Shane Conlan, Jack Ham, Lydell Mitchell, Curt Warner, and Larry Johnson.
The Nittany Lions have had a long tradition of being “Linebacker U.” Penn State has been a perennial power in that position.
Since 2014, James Franklin has been the head coach of the Nittany Lions. He led Penn State to the 2016 Big Ten title and won the Rose Bowl in the 2022 season. Penn State has finished in the Top Ten four times under Franklin. Still, Nittany Lion fans want more, and Franklin continues to frustrate them with seasons that are often close but with no cigar.
2025-2026 College Football Schedule
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