penn state 2025 football schedule

2 min read 22-11-2024

The 2025 Penn State football season is still a ways off, but speculation and anticipation are already building among Nittany Lion fans. While the official schedule hasn't been released by the NCAA, we can make some educated predictions based on past scheduling patterns and future conference matchups. This article will explore what we might expect from Penn State's 2025 campaign, offering a potential schedule and highlighting key games.

Predicting the 2025 Penn State Football Schedule: Conference & Non-Conference Games

Predicting a complete schedule this far out is challenging. However, we can anticipate certain aspects based on the Big Ten's structure and Penn State's typical non-conference opponents.

Big Ten Conference Games: The Core of the Season

The Big Ten's divisional structure is likely to remain in place for 2025, though its exact format is subject to change. Assuming a similar format to recent years, expect Penn State to face a mix of home and away games against teams within their division and cross-divisional matchups. Potential opponents could include (but aren't limited to):

East Division Rivals: Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Maryland, Rutgers, Indiana
West Division Matchups: A rotation of teams from the West Division, which could include Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Purdue, Illinois, and Nebraska.

The exact matchups and home/away designations won't be known until the official release, but expect a tough conference slate for the Nittany Lions.

Non-Conference Games: The Wildcards

Penn State typically schedules a mix of Power 5 opponents, Group of 5 teams, and potentially an FCS opponent for their non-conference games. Past scheduling trends suggest that we might see something like this:

Power 5 Matchup: A game against a strong opponent from another Power 5 conference is highly likely. Past opponents have included teams from the SEC, ACC, and Pac-12.
Group of 5 or FCS: To balance the schedule, expect one or two games against teams from the Group of 5 or potentially an FCS opponent. These games provide a chance for the team to build confidence and work on their game plan.

Key Games to Watch in the (Predicted) 2025 Penn State Schedule

While the official 2025 schedule remains unknown, certain matchups will undoubtedly draw significant attention. The rivalry games against Michigan and Ohio State will be pivotal for the team's overall success. These games usually determine the Big Ten East champion and play a significant role in College Football Playoff contention.

Where to Find the Official 2025 Penn State Football Schedule

As the 2025 season draws closer, the official schedule will be released by the Big Ten Conference and Penn State Athletics. Keep an eye on the official Penn State Athletics website, their social media channels, and major sports news outlets for updates.

Conclusion: Anticipating an Exciting Season

The 2025 Penn State football season promises to be an exciting one, regardless of the final schedule. The Nittany Lions have a history of strong performance, and with the right preparation and execution, they will be competitive in both the Big Ten and nationally. Stay tuned for updates and get ready for another thrilling season of Penn State football!