Penn State at Rutgers - 2025 Matchup Preview
Penn State logo Penn State Nittany Lions at Rutgers Scarlet KnightsRutgers logo
Saturday, November 29th 2025 (3:30 PM EST)
Penn State -14.5 (55.5) (-700)  Open: -10.5 | 55.5
Penn State 40 - Rutgers: 36  (Big Ten)

 
Nittany Lions (7 - 6) (5 - 8 - 0)
Coach Terry Smith (Int) (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 31 - 21 (29 - 30 on Road)
Record Prediction: 6.6 - 6.4 (#74)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 4) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 1)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
PSU is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Penn State -14  (SP+ PSU -16)

Projected Score: PSU: 34 - RUTG: 20 (55)
PSU Win prob: 85% | Cover: 47%
PSU Travel: 179 miles
Scarlet Knights (5 - 7) (6 - 6 - 0)
Coach Greg Schiano (26 - 33)
Avg Score : 29 - 32 (35 - 30 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#86)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 4) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
 
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: 0, Avg 4, Bad 1, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 4, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 1, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 2, Bad: 0, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 4, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 1, Poor: 0

Predictions for Penn State's Schedule
Rutgers's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Rutgers vs Ohio-11.546.5W 34 - 31ON
Sat 9/6 Rutgers vs Miami (OH)-15.545.5W 45 - 17OY
Sat 9/13 Rutgers vs Norfolk State-44.556.5W 60 - 10OY
Fri 9/19 Rutgers vs Iowa+2.546.5L 28 - 38ON
Sat 9/27 Rutgers at Minnesota+3.551.5L 28 - 31OY
BYE WEEK
Fri 10/10 Rutgers at Washington+9.562.5L 19 - 38UN
Sat 10/18 Rutgers vs Oregon+17.562.5L 10 - 56ON
Sat 10/25 Rutgers at Purdue+2.560.5W 27 - 24UY
Sat 11/1 Rutgers at Illinois+13.563.5L 13 - 35UN
Sat 11/8 Rutgers vs Maryland-1.556.5W 35 - 20UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Rutgers at Ohio State+29.054.0L 9 - 42UN
Sat 11/29 Rutgers vs Penn State+14.555.5L 36 - 40OY

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 4, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 1, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 4, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 0

Predictions for Rutgers'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
PSU#31 (.24)46% (26)3147% (26)3.15 (34)16445% (34)1684.32 (26)#50 (.12)41% (61)20.544% (94)38% (39)3.33 (40)34.60.81
RUTG#38 (.21)47% (23)28.746% (41)3.03 (54)14247% (18)2663.38 (102)#134 (.31)47% (128)31.847% (116)49% (132)4.45 (131)32.60.91
 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
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
RUTG#84 (.16)43% (67)44% (69)2.92 (88)16442% (63)1894.19 (44)#106 (.23)43% (85)48% (113)40% (59)4.03 (92)33.80.60.9



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
PSU Offense133128.646.5%4.320.8183311641684.955%43%47%45%14%.24
RUTG Defense1231.830.347.4%4.451 - - - - - 50%49%47%49%12%.31
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
PSU Defense1320.530.241.2%3.331 - - - - - 51%48%44%38%16%.12
RUTG Offense1228.735.446.8%3.380.9234081422663.749%50%46%47%16%.21

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
Penn State1326:5718.142%63%3.834.60.815.72.1231.9
Rutgers1232:3123.343%62%4.132.60.913.90.9328.1
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
PSU Offense1355% (30)47% (26)33.4163.84.930 (26).22 (21)3.15 (34)76% (43)9% (49)1.01 (53)
RUTG Defense1250% (65)47% (116) - - - - .26 (134)3.15 (110)66% (29)9% (106)1.13 (129)
 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
PSU Defense1351% (85)44% (94) - - - - .11 (75)2.97 (85)69% (54)11% (35)0.93 (55)
RUTG Offense1249% (73)46% (41)38.8141.53.719 (49).09 (80)3.03 (54)75% (48)9% (46)0.86 (117)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
PSU Offense1343% (109)45% (34)15.623.4167.67.210.714 (86)7 (60).28 (52)1.4 (110)26% (14)32% (51).37 (42)5% (25)2 (72)
RUTG Defense1249% (74)49% (132) - - - - - - 5 (100).44 (134)1.6 (66)30% (95)34% (118).36 (100)4% (133)2.1 (93)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
PSU Defense1348% (61)38% (39) - - - - - - 6 (55).18 (42)1.5 (27)30% (98)27% (32).23 (49)5% (101)1.9 (34)
RUTG Offense1250% (61)47% (18)19.531.5266.18.513.722 (42)7 (60).34 (38)1.5 (88)29% (36)36% (19).33 (58)7% (110)1.8 (129)

Penn State's Power Ratings
Penn State's Power Rating: 19.62  #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: 6.6 - 6.4
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

Power Ratings Matchup
Penn State: 19.62   Rutgers: 3.695

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Penn State: 15.8   Rutgers: 0.0




Rutgers's Power Ratings
Rutgers's Power Rating: 3.695  #59
Rutgers's Offense Rating: 20.13  #18
Rutgers's Defense Rating: 17.74  #123
2025 Talent Rating: 836.00  #45
Blue Chip Ratio: 3  #65
Rutgers's 2025 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Rutgers's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 0.0  #73
Rutgers's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.8  #43
Rutgers's Defense SP+ Rating: 31.8  #98

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


Penn State Scoring
Offense: 31 PPG
Offense on Road: 28.6
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 30.2

Penn State's 2025 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 5 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 8 - 5
Record on Road: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 7 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Penn State 34
Rutgers 20


Total Points: 55

Based on Last 4 Games
Rutgers 25
Penn State 24

Total Points: 50

Based on Entire Season
Penn State 30
Rutgers 29

Total Points: 59
Rutgers Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 35.4
Defense: 31.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 30.3

Rutgers's 2025 Record
Record: 5 - 7
Record vs Spread: 6 - 6 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 5
Record at home: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 3 - 5 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/29Rutgers36Penn State40Penn State -14.5Rutgers55.5Over
202311/18Penn State27Rutgers6Penn State -19.5Penn State39.5Under
202211/19Rutgers10Penn State55Penn State -18.5Penn State45.0Over
202111/20Penn State28Rutgers0Penn State -14Penn State44.5Under
202012/05Rutgers7Penn State23Penn State -13.0Penn State51.0Under
201911/30Penn State27Rutgers6Penn State -38.5Rutgers50.5Under
201811/17Rutgers7Penn State20Penn State -28.5Rutgers52.5Under
201711/11Penn State35Rutgers6Penn State -31.5Rutgers56.5Under
201611/19Rutgers0Penn State39Penn State -22.5Penn State55.0Under
201509/19Penn State28Rutgers3Penn State -7Penn State47.5Under
201409/13Rutgers10Penn State13Penn State -4Rutgers0
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Rutgers052 Overs
Penn State1168 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams5 - 66 - 53 - 23 - 3
Road Teams6 - 55 - 63 - 32 - 3

(#18) PSU at (#59) RUTG
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatPSURUTG
Power RatePwr #18 #59
SP+SP+ #20 #73
Perf GradeGrade #23 #53
OffenseOff #35 #7
DefenseDef #32 #134
Spec TeamsST #5 #106
TalentTal #4 #45
Blue ChipsBC% #10 #65
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
Rutgers Notes
(12/5) Fired DC Robb Smith after 1 season, also Co-DC out
(9/23) Kaliakmanis leads CFB in big time throws vs TWP
(9/19) Pass Off & Kaliakmanis good but inconsistent
(9/19) WR have 3 solid weapons, RB Raymond good
(9/19) Defense torn to shreds by Iowa. Yes, Iowa
(8/29) Run Def alarmingly bad vs Ohio, lucky to win
(8/21) OT R Langsdale out for season, big loss
(6/10) OL 4/5 back. 5 portal adds, looks pretty good
(6/10) Def not great LY, returns a lot. 9 portal adds
(6/10) OL has top 10 exp, 87% of which returning
(5/15) DL added 5 portals, JMU's best DE & DT
(5/13) Def portals very productive, esp on the DL
Rutgers Injury Report
Penn State on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffRUTG Def
Perf GradePerf #35 #134
SuccessSuc #26 #128
ExplosiveExp #100 #114
PPAPPA #31 #134
PowerPwr #19 #123
SP+SP+ #21 #98
Pts POPPO #26 #131
HavocHav #38 #126
Penn State Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffRUTG Def
Run GameRun #23 #133
Run SuccessRSuc #26 #116
Run ExplRExp #53 #129
PPAExp #21 #134
Run BlockR Blk #13 -
OL YdsOLY #34 #110
Stuff RateStuff #31 #62
TackleTak -  #70
Penn State Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffRUTG Def
Pass GamePass #89 #119
Pass SuccessPSuc #34 #132
Pass ExplPExl #110 #66
PPAExp #52 #134
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #11 #120
F7 HavocF7 #49 #106
DB HavocDB #25 #133
Rutgers on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatRUTG OffPSU Def
Perf GradePerf #7 #32
SuccessSuc #23 #61
ExplosiveExp #90 #17
PPAPPA #38 #50
PowerPwr #18 #30
SP+SP+ #43 #31
Pts POPPO #102 #40
HavocHav #76 #62
Rutgers Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
RUTG OffPSU Def
Run GameRun #39 #63
Run SuccessRSuc #41 #94
Run ExplRExp #117 #55
PPAExp #80 #75
Run BlockR Blk #3 -
OL YdsOLY #54 #85
Stuff RateStuff #21 #80
TackleTak -  #53
Rutgers Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatRUTG OffPSU Def
Pass GamePass #12 #39
Pass SuccessPSuc #18 #39
Pass ExplPExl #88 #27
PPAExp #38 #42
Pass Block/RushP Blk #73 #17
F7 HavocF7 #46 #35
DB HavocDB #110 #101
Program Comparison
RUTG 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'25 Profile: Remains Top G5

PSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'25 Profile: Down to Top 25 Contenders

Weather Forecast
Playing in SHI Stadium
Conditions: Clear
Temp: 41° - Wind: 6 mph
Rematch from Week 14
Penn State 14.5 (55.5)
Penn State won at Rutgers this year (40-36)

Previous Matchups
Penn State beat Rutgers in 2023 (27-6)
Penn State beat Rutgers in 2022 (55-10)

  
PSU's OC Andy Kotelnicki (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Ethan Grunkemeyer12317869%1341847.5
Drew Allar10315965%1100836.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kaytron Allen2101303156.267
Nicholas Singleton123549134.559
Drew Allar3617214.827
Quinton Martin Jr.2010105.121
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Trebor Pena (Tr)49552211.373
Devonte Ross (Tr)36501513.975
Kyron Ware-Hudson23288212.531
Luke Reynolds26259010.022

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

RUTG's OC Kirk Ciarrocca (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Athan Kaliakmanis22936862%31242078.5
AJ Surace4944%58206.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Antwan Raymond2441241135.151
Ja'shon Benjamin6832824.819
CJ Campbell2211905.422
Samuel Brown V163802.49
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
KJ Duff601084718.172
Ian Strong52762514.745
DT Sheffield (Tr)44577513.154
Kenny Fletcher2623609.139

View Rutgers's Full Roster

RUTG's DC Robb Smith (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jett Elad (Tr)773011
Dariel Djabome676220
Kaj Sanders640001
Abram Wright531012
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bradley Weaver (Tr)287331
Eric O'Neill (Tr)37103101
Dariel Djabome676220
Cam Miller (Tr)432105
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cam Miller (Tr)432105
Bo Mascoe482004
Jacobie Henderson (Tr)393003