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 - 6) (4 - 9 - 0)
Coach Matt Rhule (11 - 13)
Avg Score : 29 - 25 (20 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.1 - 5.9 (#69)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
NEB coming off BYE
PSU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Penn State -17.5  (SP+ PSU -12)

Projected Score: NEB: 15 - PSU: 33 (48)
PSU Win prob: 73% | Cover: 49%
NEB Travel: 984 miles, 1 hrs behind
Nittany Lions (7 - 6) (5 - 8 - 0)
Coach James Franklin (99 - 41)
Avg Score : 31 - 21 (34 - 15 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.6 - 6.4 (#74)
'25 Opponents: (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+13.551.5L 22 - 44ON

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+2.547.5W 22 - 10UY

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 (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)28.748% (22)3.21 (40)12143% (55)2103.38 (114)#44 (.13)40% (50)24.639% (24)42% (82)3.06 (11)48.91.31.2
PSU#11 (.32)51% (4)3152% (9)3.42 (10)17651% (4)2094.69 (9)#9 (.05)38% (21)20.539% (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 Offense1328.719.545%3.381.3203311212103.848%51%48%43%16%.18
PSU Defense1620.515.137.9%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 Defense1324.628.340.3%3.061.2 - - - - - 47%52%39%42%18%.13
PSU Offense16313451.3%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: 0.48  #67
Nebraska's Offense Rating: 11.28  #80
Nebraska's Defense Rating: 10.80  #50
2025 Talent Rating: 986.00  #14
Blue Chip Ratio: 27%  #22
Nebraska's 2025 Expected Record: 7.1 - 5.9
Nebraska's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 6.2  #46
Nebraska's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.8  #56
Nebraska's Defense SP+ Rating: 22.7  #44

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: 0.48   Penn State: 20.735

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 6.2   Penn State: 18.1




Penn State's Power Ratings
Penn State's Power Rating: 20.735  #13
Penn State's Offense Rating: 23.64  #17
Penn State's Defense Rating: 5.27  #24
2025 Talent Rating: 1078.00  #4
Blue Chip Ratio: 53  #10
Penn State's 2025 Expected Record: 6.6 - 6.4
Penn State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 18.1  #15
Penn State's Offense SP+ Rating: 35.1  #17
Penn State's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.8  #22

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


Nebraska Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 19.5
Defense: 24.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.3

Nebraska's 2025 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 4 - 9 - 0
Over/Under Record: 10 - 3
Record on Road: 3 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 1 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 5 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Penn State 33
Nebraska 15


Projected Total Points: 48
Penn State Scoring
Offense: 31 PPG
Offense at Home: 34
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.1

Penn State's 2025 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 5 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 8 - 5
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

(#67) NEB at (#13) PSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNEBPSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #67 #13
SP+SP+ #46 #15
Perf GradeGrade #40 #23
OffenseOff #39 #29
DefenseDef #84 #38
Spec TeamsST #4 #13
TalentTal #14 #4
Blue ChipsBC% #22 #10
Nebraska Notes
(12/31) Has lost 30 straight games to ranked opponents.
(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
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
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #39 #38
SuccessSuc #37 #21
ExplosiveExp #129 #81
PPAPPA #74 #9
PowerPwr #80 #24
SP+SP+ #56 #22
Pts POPPO #114 #18
HavocHav #62 #38
Nebraska Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffPSU Def
Run GameRun #63 #67
Run SuccessRSuc #22 #27
Run ExplRExp #105 #42
PPAExp #38 #12
Run BlockR Blk #9 -
OL YdsOLY #40 #3
Stuff RateStuff #7 #1
TackleTak -  #36
Nebraska Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffPSU Def
Pass GamePass #106 #37
Pass SuccessPSuc #55 #25
Pass ExplPExl #132 #91
PPAExp #91 #16
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #11 #31
F7 HavocF7 #71 #26
DB HavocDB #67 #57
Penn State on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatPSU OffNEB Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #29 #84
SuccessSuc #4 #50
ExplosiveExp #116 #89
PPAPPA #11 #44
PowerPwr #17 #50
SP+SP+ #17 #44
Pts POPPO #9 #11
HavocHav #3 #40
Penn State Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffNEB Def
Run GameRun #20 #77
Run SuccessRSuc #9 #24
Run ExplRExp #90 #32
PPAExp #20 #9
Run BlockR Blk #18 -
OL YdsOLY #10 #26
Stuff RateStuff #24 #24
TackleTak -  #22
Penn State Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatPSU OffNEB Def
Pass GamePass #70 #53
Pass SuccessPSuc #4 #82
Pass ExplPExl #107 #89
PPAExp #11 #88
Pass Block/RushP Blk #15 #129
F7 HavocF7 #8 #33
DB HavocDB #5 #55
Program Comparison
PSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Title Contenders
'25 Profile: Down to CFP Hopefuls

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Beaver Stadium
Conditions: Clear
Temp: 38°
Rematch from Week 13
Penn State -7.5 (45.5)
Penn State won vs Nebraska this year (37-10)

Previous Matchups
Penn State beat Nebraska last year (37-10)

  
NEB's OC Dana Holgorsen (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dylan Raiola18125072%20001868.0
TJ Lateef7412360%904517.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Emmett Johnson2511451125.870
Mekhi Nelson2714725.438
Kwinten Ives2013326.728
TJ Lateef4012043.016
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nyziah Hunter (Tr)43617514.364
Jacory Barney Jr.45484510.852
Dane Key (Tr)39452511.640
Emmett Johnson4637038.056

View Nebraska's Full Roster

NEB's DC John Butler (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Javin Wright869324
DeShon Singleton704124
Rex Guthrie632001
Vincent Shavers Jr.618110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Javin Wright869324
Williams Nwaneri (Tr)275351
Kade Pietrzak166231
Dasan Mccullough (Tr)215231
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ceyair Wright291105
Donovan Jones592005
Javin Wright869324

PSU's OC Andy Kotelnicki (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Ethan Grunkemeyer12317869%1339847.5
Drew Allar10315965%1100836.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kaytron Allen2101303156.267
Nicholas Singleton123549134.559
Drew Allar3617214.827
Quinton Martin Jr.2010305.221
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Trebor Pena (Tr)49552211.373
Devonte Ross (Tr)36501513.975
Kyron Ware-Hudson23288212.531
Luke Reynolds2625709.922

View Penn State's Full Roster

PSU's DC Jim Knowles (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Amare Campbell (Tr)10310341
Zakee Wheatley742031
Dominic DeLuca667243
King Mack (Tr)581113
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dani Dennis-Sutton4212883
Zane Durant255412
Amare Campbell (Tr)10310341
Dominic DeLuca667243
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Daryus Dixson242106
Elliot Washington II180003
Dominic DeLuca667243