Nebraska at Penn State - 2025 Matchup Preview
Nebraska logo Nebraska Cornhuskers at Penn State Nittany LionsPenn State logo
Saturday, November 22nd 2025 (12:00 AM EST)
Beaver Stadium - University Park, PA  (Big Ten)

 
Cornhuskers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Matt Rhule (11 - 13)
Avg Score : 24 - 20 (16 - 26 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8 - 4 (#30)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 3) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 4)
NEB coming off BYE
PSU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Penn State -20.5   (SP+ PSU -19)
Projected Score: NEB: 12 - PSU: 33 (46)
PSU Win prob: 94% | Cover: 54%
NEB Travel: 984 miles, 1 hrs behind
Nittany Lions (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach James Franklin (99 - 41)
Avg Score : 33 - 17 (34 - 11 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 10.6 - 1.4 (#4)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 4) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 4)
 
Nebraska's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Nebraska vs Cincinnati-7.050.5
Sat 9/6 Nebraska vs Akron-33
Sat 9/13 Nebraska vs Houston Christian-35
Sat 9/20 Nebraska vs Michigan+7.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Nebraska vs Michigan State-10.5
Sat 10/11 Nebraska at Maryland-12
Sat 10/18 Nebraska at Minnesota+1
Sat 10/25 Nebraska vs Northwestern-16
Sat 11/1 Nebraska vs USC-2.5
Sat 11/8 Nebraska at UCLA-9
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Nebraska at Penn State+20.5
Fri 11/28 Nebraska vs Iowa-2.5

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Nebraska's Schedule
Penn State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Penn State vs Nevada-45.560.5
Sat 9/6 Penn State vs Florida International-46.5
Sat 9/13 Penn State vs Villanova-52.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Penn State vs Oregon-5
Sat 10/4 Penn State at UCLA-26.5
Sat 10/11 Penn State vs Northwestern-33.5
Sat 10/18 Penn State at Iowa-15
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 Penn State at Ohio State+4.5
Sat 11/8 Penn State vs Indiana-19
Sat 11/15 Penn State at Michigan State-23.5
Sat 11/22 Penn State vs Nebraska-20.5
Sat 11/29 Penn State at Rutgers-20

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Penn State's Schedule

Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NEB#74 (.18)45% (37)23.548% (22)3.21 (40)12143% (55)2103.38 (114)#44 (.13)40% (50)19.539% (24)42% (82)3.06 (11)48.91.31.2
PSU#11 (.32)51% (4)33.152% (9)3.42 (10)17651% (4)2094.69 (9)#9 (.05)38% (21)16.539% (27)37% (25)3.22 (18)41.40.81.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NEB0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
PSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEB Offense1323.516.445%3.381.3203311212103.848%51%48%43%16%.18
PSU Defense1616.51137.9%3.221.3 - - - - - 48%52%39%37%18%.05
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEB Defense1319.525.640.3%3.061.2 - - - - - 47%52%39%42%18%.13
PSU Offense1633.133.551.3%4.690.8203851762095.354%46%52%51%10%.32

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Nebraska1329:4320.143%32%5.748.91.31.25.72327.2
Penn State1626:5120.448%70%4.441.40.81.35.52.3428.9
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NEB Offense1348% (80)48% (22)31.7121.13.820 (67).18 (38)3.21 (40)83% (8)10% (71)0.89 (105)
PSU Defense1648% (43)39% (27) - - - - -.01 (12)2.37 (3)75% (75)12% (26)0.92 (42)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NEB Defense1347% (29)39% (24) - - - - -.01 (9)2.72 (26)69% (40)12% (33)0.9 (32)
PSU Offense1654% (38)52% (9)33.2176.25.331 (17).24 (20)3.42 (10)76% (51)7% (8)0.92 (90)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEB Offense1351% (57)43% (55)20.331209.56.810.312 (118)11 (72).21 (91)1.4 (132)28% (18)34% (45).31 (79)6% (67)1.8 (125)
PSU Defense1652% (96)37% (25) - - - - - - 15 (18).1 (16)1.7 (91)36% (14)27% (25).2 (29)6% (57)2.1 (95)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEB Defense1352% (101)42% (82) - - - - - - 11 (52).28 (88)1.6 (89)33% (52)31% (80).37 (96)6% (55)2.2 (98)
PSU Offense1646% (95)51% (4)16.724.3208.88.612.527 (20)9 (48).41 (11)1.5 (107)26% (3)35% (31).46 (20)3% (5)2 (85)

Nebraska's Power Ratings
Nebraska's Power Rating: 13.63 #22
Nebraska's Offense Rating: 20.92 #31
Nebraska's Defense Rating: 7.29 #25
2025 Talent Rating: 960.00 #16
Blue Chip Ratio: 23% #23
Nebraska's 2025 Expected Record: 8.0 - 4.0
Nebraska's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 8.9 #34
Nebraska's Offense SP+ Rating: 26.3 #75
Nebraska's Defense SP+ Rating: 17.4 #17

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 886.56
Average Power Five Talent: 858.6
Average FBS Talent: 681.96

Power Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 13.63   Penn State: 31.565

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 8.9   Penn State: 27.7




Penn State's Power Ratings
Penn State's Power Rating: 31.565 #4
Penn State's Offense Rating: 30.98 #2
Penn State's Defense Rating: 0.55 #8
2025 Talent Rating: 1124.00 #2
Blue Chip Ratio: 47 #12
Penn State's 2025 Expected Record: 10.6 - 1.4
Penn State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 27.7 #3
Penn State's Offense SP+ Rating: 40.6 #3
Penn State's Defense SP+ Rating: 12.9 #6

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 886.56
Average Power Five Talent: 858.6
Average FBS Talent: 681.96


Nebraska Scoring
Offense: 23.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 16.4
Defense: 19.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 25.6

Nebraska's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Penn State 33
Nebraska 12

Projected Total Points: 46
Penn State Scoring
Offense: 33.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 33.5
Defense: 16.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 11

Penn State's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202011/14Nebraska30Penn State23NebraskaPenn State -2Nebraska57.5Under
201711/18Penn State56Nebraska44Penn StatePenn State -27.5Nebraska59.0Over
201311/23Penn State20Nebraska23NebraskaPenn State -2.5Nebraska0
201211/10Nebraska32Penn State23Nebraska
201111/12Penn State14Nebraska17Nebraska
200309/13Nebraska18Penn State10Nebraska
200209/14Penn State40Nebraska7Penn State
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Penn State201 Overs
Nebraska531 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams5 - 21 - 20 - 21 - 0
Road Teams2 - 52 - 10 - 12 - 0

(#22) Nebraska Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 13.63 #22
Offense Rating: 20.92 #31
Defense Rating: 7.29 #25
Overall SP+ Rating: 8.9 #34
Offense SP+ Rating: 26.3 #75
Defense SP+ Rating: 17.4 #17
Talent Rating: 960.00 #16
Blue Chip Ratio: 23% #23
Expected Record: 8.0 - 4.0

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 48%
Good Offense Success Rate of 45%
Bad Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 3.38 PPO
Great Run Success 48%
Avg Pass Success 43%
Avg OL Grades, Good OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Avg Defense Success Rate of 40%
Great in Scoring Position 3.06 PPO
Good Run Def Success 39%
Bad Pass Def Success 42%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position


Nebraska Notes
(6/12) New DC Butler a journeyman, White gone (FSU)
(6/12) DL is a big concern, lost all 4 starters. 3 portals
(5/16) OL returns good prod, added 35% via portal
(4/5) WR Barney a weapon, Key (UK)/Hunter (Cal) big
(4/5) RB Johnson looks good, do they have depth?
(3/28) Holgo wants tempo/pace. Ball out quick
(3/19) QB Raiola, 13 TD/18 TO. Must improve TY
(3/19) OL 3/5 back. 2 portals (Bama/ND) help. Avg LY
(3/19) Def was good LY, 5 portal adds. New DC
(3/19) OC Holgorsen much better than Satterfield
Nebraska     Ratings Matchup     Penn State
Power #22
#4
Off #31
#2
Def #25
#8
Talent #16
#2
SP+ #34
#3
SP+ Off #75
#3
SP+ Def #17
#6

Weather Forecast
Playing in Beaver Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: NEB | PSU
Depth Chart: NEB | PSU
Rosters: NEB | PSU
(#4) Penn State Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 31.565 #4
Offense Rating: 30.98 #2
Defense Rating: 0.55 #8
Overall SP+ Rating: 27.7 #3
Offense SP+ Rating: 40.6 #3
Defense SP+ Rating: 12.9 #6
Talent Rating: 1124.00 #2
Blue Chip Ratio: 47 #12
Expected Record: 10.6 - 1.4

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 54%
Great Offense Success Rate of 51%
Great Offensive Explosiveness
Great in Scoring Position 4.69 PPO
Great Run Success 52%
Great Pass Success 51%
Avg OL Grades, Great OL Yds Per Rush
Great DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Great Defense Success Rate of 38%
Great in Scoring Position 3.22 PPO
Good Run Def Success 39%
Good Pass Def Success 37%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position


Penn State Notes
(6/6) Def still solid, DL a top 10 unit via PFF
(5/23) CBs Harris & Washington a top duo in CFB
(5/11) OL one of CFB's most exp'd, top of contenders
(4/4) CB AJ Harris a top 10 CB via PFF
(4/4) DE Dennis-Sutton/DT Durant top 10 via PFF
(3/18) QB Allar primed for breakout season.
(3/18) WR, are portals Ross/Hudson weapons?
(3/18) RB Allen/Singleton best duo in CFB?
(3/18) OL returns 4/5 starters, a top CFB unit.
(3/18) New DC Knowles hired from Ohio St.


  
Nebraska's OC Dana Holgorsen
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dylan Raiola27440967%280613116.9
Heinrich Haarberg101856%101015.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Emmett Johnson11759815.142
Jacory Barney Jr.10130313.031
Heinrich Haarberg2510214.113
Janiran Bonner21115.511
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Dane Key (Tr)47715215.242
Nyziah Hunter (Tr)40578514.560
Jacory Barney Jr.5544708.140
Emmett Johnson3827327.229

View Nebraska's Full Roster
Nebraska's DC John Butler
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Marques Watson-Trent (Tr)1188221
DeShon Singleton711003
Malcolm Hartzog452004
Ceyair Wright391116
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Marques Watson-Trent (Tr)1188221
Ceyair Wright391116
Mason Goldman51100
Vincent Shavers Jr.253100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ceyair Wright391116
Marques Buford351005
Malcolm Hartzog452004

Penn State's OC Andy Kotelnicki
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Drew Allar26239467%33272488.4
Ethan Grunkemeyer1250%9014.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kaytron Allen220110885.032
Nicholas Singleton1721099126.458
Drew Allar9630263.122
Corey Smith2215206.978
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Devonte Ross (Tr)7610441113.798
Trebor Pena (Tr)84941911.250
Kyron Ware-Hudson38462312.239
Nicholas Singleton4137559.127

View Penn State's Full Roster
Penn State's DC Jim Knowles
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zakee Wheatley863104
Amare Campbell (Tr)699632
Tony Rojas567254
Zane Durant4210341
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dani Dennis-Sutton4013993
Amare Campbell (Tr)699632
Zane Durant4210341
Tony Rojas567254
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Elliot Washington II251006
A.J. Harris413005
Zakee Wheatley863104