Nebraska at Penn State - 2025 Matchup Preview
Nebraska logo Nebraska Cornhuskers at Penn State Nittany LionsPenn State logo
Saturday, November 22nd 2025 (7:00 PM EST)
Penn State -7.5 (45.5) (-260)  Open: -9.5 | 44.5
Penn State 37 - Nebraska: 10  (Big Ten)

 
Cornhuskers (7 - 5) (4 - 8 - 0)
Coach Matt Rhule (11 - 13)
Avg Score : 29 - 23 (20 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7 - 5 (#59)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 2) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
NEB coming off BYE
PSU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Penn State -16  (SP+ PSU -9)

Projected Score: NEB: 15 - PSU: 31 (47)
PSU Win prob: 73% | Cover: 49%
NEB Travel: 984 miles, 1 hrs behind
Nittany Lions (6 - 6) (4 - 8 - 0)
Coach Terry Smith (Int) (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 32 - 21 (34 - 15 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6 - 6 (#74)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 4) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
 
Nebraska's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Nebraska vs Cincinnati-6.552.5W 20 - 17UN
Sat 9/6 Nebraska vs Akron-34.047.5W 68 - 0OY
Sat 9/13 Nebraska vs Houston Christian-48.558.5W 59 - 7OY
Sat 9/20 Nebraska vs Michigan+1.547.5L 27 - 30ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Nebraska vs Michigan State-12.548.5W 38 - 27ON
Sat 10/11 Nebraska at Maryland-7.047.5W 34 - 31ON
Fri 10/17 Nebraska at Minnesota-7.047.5L 6 - 24UN
Sat 10/25 Nebraska vs Northwestern-7.544.5W 28 - 21ON
Sat 11/1 Nebraska vs USC+4.559.5L 17 - 21UY
Sat 11/8 Nebraska at UCLA+1.545.5W 28 - 21OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Nebraska at Penn State+7.545.5L 10 - 37ON
Fri 11/28 Nebraska vs Iowa+5.538.5L 16 - 40ON
Wed 12/31 Nebraska vs Utah+14.549.5

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

Predictions for Nebraska's Schedule
Penn State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Penn State vs Nevada-45.558.5W 46 - 11UN
Sat 9/6 Penn State vs Florida International-42.053.5W 34 - 0UN
Sat 9/13 Penn State vs Villanova-46.557.5W 52 - 6ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Penn State vs Oregon-4.552.5L 24 - 30ON
Sat 10/4 Penn State at UCLA-24.548.5L 37 - 42ON
Sat 10/11 Penn State vs Northwestern-20.546.5L 21 - 22UN
Sat 10/18 Penn State at Iowa+3.541.5L 24 - 25OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 Penn State at Ohio State+17.545.5L 14 - 38ON
Sat 11/8 Penn State vs Indiana+13.550.5L 24 - 27OY
Sat 11/15 Penn State at Michigan State-7.048.5W 28 - 10UY
Sat 11/22 Penn State vs Nebraska-7.545.5W 37 - 10OY
Sat 11/29 Penn State at Rutgers-14.555.5W 40 - 36ON
Sat 12/27 Penn State vs Clemson+3.048.5

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

Predictions for Penn State's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 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#76 (.16)47% (27)29.348% (22)3.19 (27)14746% (31)2283.91 (55)#83 (.18)42% (74)2346% (112)37% (22)4.19 (115)44.20.81.1
PSU#30 (.25)48% (20)31.848% (24)3.14 (33)17847% (29)1824.46 (24)#55 (.13)42% (69)21.444% (93)40% (51)3.44 (48)37.50.81.1
 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)48% (22)3.21 (40)12143% (55)2103.38 (114)#44 (.13)40% (50)39% (24)42% (82)3.06 (11)48.91.31.2
PSU#11 (.32)51% (4)52% (9)3.42 (10)17651% (4)2094.69 (9)#9 (.05)38% (21)39% (27)37% (25)3.22 (18)41.40.81.3



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEB Offense1229.319.546.9%3.910.8213751472284.349%49%48%46%13%.16
PSU Defense1221.415.141.8%3.441.1 - - - - - 53%46%44%40%15%.13
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEB Defense122328.342%4.191.1 - - - - - 55%43%46%37%15%.18
PSU Offense1231.83447.6%4.460.8203591781824.956%42%48%47%13%.25

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Nebraska1230:2920.645%36%4.644.20.81.151.6232.7
Penn State1229:1219.642%63%4.237.50.81.16.22.3232.1
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 Offense1249% (71)48% (22)34146.84.318 (60).11 (70)3.19 (27)76% (43)9% (53)0.78 (130)
PSU Defense1253% (109)44% (93) - - - - .12 (76)2.95 (82)68% (44)11% (33)0.95 (67)
 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 Defense1255% (122)46% (112) - - - - .24 (132)3.23 (121)78% (114)10% (47)1.14 (129)
PSU Offense1256% (24)48% (24)36.2177.54.930 (26).23 (20)3.14 (33)75% (54)9% (53)1.02 (52)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEB Offense1249% (71)46% (31)20.429.2228.27.811.222 (14)6 (60).24 (77)1.4 (124)25% (7)33% (40).41 (34)4% (14)2 (82)
PSU Defense1246% (33)40% (51) - - - - - - 6 (55).22 (58)1.4 (22)29% (105)28% (42).26 (57)5% (120)1.9 (26)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEB Defense1243% (11)37% (22) - - - - - - 6 (100).15 (28)1.4 (21)31% (70)33% (116).39 (113)5% (120)1.9 (46)
PSU Offense1242% (115)47% (29)16.925.3181.67.210.714 (86)7 (60).29 (54)1.4 (125)25% (9)32% (45).34 (54)5% (22)1.9 (100)

Nebraska's Power Ratings
Nebraska's Power Rating: 1.51  #64
Nebraska's Offense Rating: 6.53  #83
Nebraska's Defense Rating: 5.02  #46
2025 Talent Rating: 986.00  #14
Blue Chip Ratio: 27%  #22
Nebraska's 2025 Expected Record: 7.0 - 5.0
Nebraska's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 6.6  #46
Nebraska's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.9  #60
Nebraska's Defense SP+ Rating: 22.3  #39

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 1.51   Penn State: 20.21

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 6.6   Penn State: 15.8




Penn State's Power Ratings
Penn State's Power Rating: 20.21  #18
Penn State's Offense Rating: 19.85  #19
Penn State's Defense Rating: 0.23  #30
2025 Talent Rating: 1078.00  #4
Blue Chip Ratio: 53  #10
Penn State's 2025 Expected Record: 6.0 - 6.0
Penn State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 15.8  #20
Penn State's Offense SP+ Rating: 35.9  #21
Penn State's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.8  #31

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Nebraska Scoring
Offense: 29.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 19.5
Defense: 23 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.3

Nebraska's 2025 Record
Record: 7 - 5
Record vs Spread: 4 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 9 - 3
Record on Road: 3 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 1 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Penn State 31
Nebraska 15


Total Points: 47

Based on Last 4 Games
Penn State 23
Nebraska 22

Total Points: 45

Based on Entire Season
Penn State 29
Nebraska 21

Total Points: 50
Penn State Scoring
Offense: 31.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 34
Defense: 21.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.1

Penn State's 2025 Record
Record: 6 - 6
Record vs Spread: 4 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 8 - 4
Record at home: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 5 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 7 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 1 - 5 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/22Penn State37Nebraska10Penn State -7.5Penn State45.5Over
202011/14Nebraska30Penn State23Penn State -2Nebraska57.5Under
201711/18Penn State56Nebraska44Penn State -27.5Nebraska59.0Over
201311/23Penn State20Nebraska23Penn State -2.5Nebraska0
201211/10Nebraska32Penn State23
201111/12Penn State14Nebraska17
200309/13Nebraska18Penn State10
200209/14Penn State40Nebraska7
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Penn State312 Overs
Nebraska531 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams6 - 22 - 21 - 21 - 0
Road Teams2 - 62 - 20 - 12 - 1

(#64) NEB at (#18) PSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNEBPSU
Power RatePwr #64 #18
SP+SP+ #46 #20
Perf GradeGrade #35 #23
OffenseOff #43 #35
DefenseDef #60 #32
Spec TeamsST #2 #5
TalentTal #14 #4
Blue ChipsBC% #22 #10
Nebraska Notes
(12/1) DC John Butler fired after only one season
(11/29) Neb has lost 4+ games every season for 22 years
(11/28) Rhule 2-4 since raise, 7 pt W's vs NW/UCLA. Yikes
(11/28) QB TJ Lateef dreadful vs Iowa. Neb needs portal QB '26
(11/28) Matt Rhule is 2-10 in November at Nebraska
(11/26) QB Raiola threatening portal again. Neb better w/o him
(11/22) Loss to Penn St a huge setback. Program going ?
(11/2) Rhule 0-19 vs top 25, Neb streak is now 0-29
(11/2) QB1 Raiola out for season (broken fibula).
(11/1) Hard L vs USC, Raiola inj, Run Def mauled
(10/29) Rhule signs extension, will remain at Nebraska
(10/18) Off fell apart @ Minn, 213 total yds, sacked 9 times
Nebraska Injury Report
Penn State Notes
(12/5) Hired ISU HC Matt Campbell, bailed out PSU & AD
(12/4) Still no coach, crootin a disaster. Program a mess.
(11/22) Still fighting, killed Nebraska. 5-6, could bowl
(11/9) Credit due, even with IU. Still fighting
(10/22) OC Kotelnicki says 2 QB's will be used forward
(10/19) QB Grunkemeyer doesn't look like he can play
(10/12) James Franklin fired. CFB HC market will be crazy
(10/12) Interim is AHC Terry Smith, was def ass.
(10/11) Lost to Northwestern, Allar out for the year. Woof
(10/4) Def torched, Run Off awful in horrific L @ UCLA
(10/4) Suddenly people calling for Franklin's job post UCLA
(10/1) LB Tony Rojas out indefinitely w/ 'significant injury'
Penn State Injury Report
Nebraska on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffPSU Def
Perf GradePerf #43 #32
SuccessSuc #27 #69
ExplosiveExp #134 #17
PPAPPA #76 #55
PowerPwr #83 #30
SP+SP+ #60 #31
Pts POPPO #55 #48
HavocHav #27 #72
Nebraska Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffPSU Def
Run GameRun #79 #63
Run SuccessRSuc #22 #93
Run ExplRExp #130 #67
PPAExp #70 #76
Run BlockR Blk #22 -
OL YdsOLY #27 #82
Stuff RateStuff #17 #70
TackleTak -  #53
Nebraska Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffPSU Def
Pass GamePass #93 #39
Pass SuccessPSuc #31 #51
Pass ExplPExl #124 #22
PPAExp #77 #58
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #18 #17
F7 HavocF7 #53 #33
DB HavocDB #14 #120
Penn State on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatPSU OffNEB Def
Perf GradePerf #35 #60
SuccessSuc #20 #74
ExplosiveExp #108 #84
PPAPPA #30 #83
PowerPwr #19 #46
SP+SP+ #21 #39
Pts POPPO #24 #115
HavocHav #39 #93
Penn State Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffNEB Def
Run GameRun #23 #68
Run SuccessRSuc #24 #112
Run ExplRExp #52 #129
PPAExp #20 #132
Run BlockR Blk #13 -
OL YdsOLY #33 #121
Stuff RateStuff #25 #108
TackleTak -  #23
Penn State Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatPSU OffNEB Def
Pass GamePass #89 #32
Pass SuccessPSuc #29 #22
Pass ExplPExl #125 #21
PPAExp #54 #28
Pass Block/RushP Blk #11 #126
F7 HavocF7 #53 #47
DB HavocDB #22 #120
Program Comparison
PSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'25 Profile: Down to Top 25 Contenders

NEB 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Beaver Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 13
Penn State -7.5 (45.5)
Penn State won vs Nebraska this year (37-10)

No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
NEB's OC Dana Holgorsen (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dylan Raiola18125072%20001868.0
TJ Lateef599562%722407.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Emmett Johnson2511451125.870
Kwinten Ives1611927.428
TJ Lateef279833.614
Isaiah Mozee198304.421
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nyziah Hunter (Tr)43617514.364
Jacory Barney Jr.43463410.852
Dane Key (Tr)35424512.140
Emmett Johnson4637038.056

View Nebraska's Full Roster

NEB's DC John Butler (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Javin Wright838223
DeShon Singleton704124
Rex Guthrie602001
Vincent Shavers Jr.528110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Williams Nwaneri (Tr)275351
Kade Pietrzak145231
Dasan Mccullough (Tr)215231
Marques Watson-Trent (Tr)353200
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ceyair Wright251105
DeShon Singleton704124
Donovan Jones512004

PSU's OC Andy Kotelnicki (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Drew Allar10315965%1100836.9
Ethan Grunkemeyer10014469%1079647.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kaytron Allen2101303156.267
Nicholas Singleton123549134.559
Drew Allar3617214.827
Trebor Pena (Tr)116906.316
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Trebor Pena (Tr)44452110.343
Devonte Ross (Tr)28417514.975
Kyron Ware-Hudson23288212.531
Luke Reynolds2422909.522

View Penn State's Full Roster

PSU's DC Jim Knowles (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Amare Campbell (Tr)9610330
Zakee Wheatley742031
Dominic DeLuca636233
King Mack (Tr)561113
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dani Dennis-Sutton3810683
Zane Durant255412
Amare Campbell (Tr)9610330
Tony Rojas255221
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Elliot Washington II180003
Daryus Dixson222103
Dominic DeLuca636233