Penn State at Clemson - 2025 Matchup Preview

Penn State Nittany Lions vs Clemson Tigers

Saturday, December 27th 2025 (12:00 PM EST)
Clemson -2.5 (47.5) (0) Open: 0.0
Penn State 22 - Clemson: 10 (Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl)

Nittany Lions (7 - 6) (5 - 8 - 0)
Coach James Franklin (99 - 41)
Avg Score : 31 - 21 (29 - 30 on Road)
Record Prediction: 6.6 - 6.4 (#74)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Bowl Game Opt Outs
Our Line: Penn State -6 (SP+ PSU -8.5)
Projected Score: PSU: 28 - CLEM: 22 (50)
CLEM Win prob: 55% | Cover: 49%
PSU Travel: 205 miles

Tigers (7 - 6) (5 - 8 - 0)
Coach Dabo Swinney (180 - 46)
Avg Score : 27 - 21 (28 - 24 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.4 - 5.6 (#64)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
Bowls
PSU Players
CLEM Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Penn State's 2025 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/30	Penn State vs Nevada	-45.5	58.5	W 46 - 11	U	N
Sat 9/6	Penn State vs Florida International	-42.0	53.5	W 34 - 0	U	N
Sat 9/13	Penn State vs Villanova	-46.5	57.5	W 52 - 6	O	N
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27	Penn State vs Oregon	-4.5	52.5	L 24 - 30	O	N
Sat 10/4	Penn State at UCLA	-24.5	48.5	L 37 - 42	O	N
Sat 10/11	Penn State vs Northwestern	-20.5	46.5	L 21 - 22	U	N
Sat 10/18	Penn State at Iowa	+3.5	41.5	L 24 - 25	O	Y
	BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1	Penn State at Ohio State	+17.5	45.5	L 14 - 38	O	N
Sat 11/8	Penn State vs Indiana	+13.5	50.5	L 24 - 27	O	Y
Sat 11/15	Penn State at Michigan State	-7.0	48.5	W 28 - 10	U	Y
Sat 11/22	Penn State vs Nebraska	-7.5	45.5	W 37 - 10	O	Y
Sat 11/29	Penn State at Rutgers	-14.5	55.5	W 40 - 36	O	N
Sat 12/27	Penn State vs Clemson	+2.5	47.5	W 22 - 10	U	Y

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

Predictions for Penn State's Schedule

Clemson's 2025 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/30	Clemson vs LSU	-3.5	57.5	L 10 - 17	U	N
Sat 9/6	Clemson vs Troy	-31.0	51.5	W 27 - 16	U	N
Sat 9/13	Clemson at Georgia Tech	-2.5	49.5	L 21 - 24	U	N
Sat 9/20	Clemson vs Syracuse	-17.5	53.5	L 21 - 34	O	N
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4	Clemson at North Carolina	-15.5	47.5	W 38 - 10	O	Y
Sat 10/11	Clemson at Boston College	-14.0	54.5	W 41 - 10	U	Y
Sat 10/18	Clemson vs SMU	-3.5	49.5	L 24 - 35	O	N
	BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1	Clemson vs Duke	-4.5	55.5	L 45 - 46	O	N
Sat 11/8	Clemson vs Florida State	-1.5	56.5	W 24 - 10	U	Y
Fri 11/14	Clemson at Louisville	+1.5	50.5	W 20 - 19	U	Y
Sat 11/22	Clemson vs Furman	-41.5	55.5	W 45 - 10	U	N
Sat 11/29	Clemson at South Carolina	+2.5	45.5	W 28 - 14	U	Y
Sat 12/27	Clemson vs Penn State	-2.5	47.5	L 10 - 22	U	N

Important Stats (2024)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
PSU	#11 (.32)	51% (4)	31	52% (9)	3.42 (10)	176	51% (4)	209	4.69 (9)	#9 (.05)	38% (21)	20.5	39% (27)	37% (25)	3.22 (18)	41.4	0.8	1.3
CLEM	#21 (.27)	47% (24)	27.2	50% (12)	3.28 (29)	174	45% (36)	279	4.33 (29)	#52 (.14)	40% (48)	20.5	43% (68)	38% (36)	3.64 (48)	47.6	0.7	1.9

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
PSU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
CLEM		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2024

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
PSU Offense	16	31	28.6	51.3%	4.69	0.8	20	385	176	209	5.3	54%	46%	52%	51%	10%	.32
CLEM Defense	14	20.5	24	40.1%	3.64	1.9	-	-	-	-	-	46%	53%	43%	38%	19%	.14

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
PSU Defense	16	20.5	30.2	37.9%	3.22	1.3	-	-	-	-	-	48%	52%	39%	37%	18%	.05
CLEM Offense	14	27.2	28	46.7%	4.33	0.7	24	452	174	279	5.2	43%	56%	50%	45%	13%	.27

Additional Stats 2024

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Penn State	16	26:51	20.4	48%	70%	4.4	41.4	0.8	1.3	5.5	2.3	4	28.9
Clemson	14	30:29	23.9	44%	59%	4.9	47.6	0.7	1.9	6.1	2.5	2	30.1

Run Game Stats (2025)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
PSU Offense	16	54% (38)	52% (9)	33.2	176.2	5.3	31 (17)	.24 (20)	3.42 (10)	76% (51)	7% (8)	0.92 (90)
CLEM Defense	14	46% (20)	43% (68)	-	-	-	-	.15 (84)	2.93 (54)	59% (8)	11% (38)	1.12 (119)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
PSU Defense	16	48% (43)	39% (27)	-	-	-	-	-.01 (12)	2.37 (3)	75% (75)	12% (26)	0.92 (42)
CLEM Offense	14	43% (113)	50% (12)	33.6	173.8	5.2	23 (52)	.24 (19)	3.28 (29)	72% (78)	8% (40)	0.96 (69)

Pass Game Stats (2025)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
PSU Offense	16	46% (95)	51% (4)	16.7	24.3	208.8	8.6	12.5	27 (20)	9 (48)	.41 (11)	1.5 (107)	26% (3)	35% (31)	.46 (20)	3% (5)	2 (85)
CLEM Defense	14	53% (114)	38% (36)	-	-	-	-	-	-	16 (10)	.15 (28)	1.6 (60)	35% (26)	32% (90)	.3 (66)	8% (20)	2 (64)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
PSU Defense	16	52% (96)	37% (25)	-	-	-	-	-	-	15 (18)	.1 (16)	1.7 (91)	36% (14)	27% (25)	.2 (29)	6% (57)	2.1 (95)
CLEM Offense	14	56% (23)	45% (36)	23.6	37.8	278.5	7.4	11.8	37 (2)	7 (26)	.33 (38)	1.5 (79)	30% (39)	38% (6)	.58 (4)	5% (21)	2.1 (39)

Penn State's Power Ratings
Penn State's Power Rating: 18.37 #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

Power Ratings Matchup
Penn State: 18.37 Clemson: 12.04

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Penn State: 18.1 Clemson: 9.5

Clemson's Power Ratings
Clemson's Power Rating: 12.04 #24
Clemson's Offense Rating: 17.99 #38
Clemson's Defense Rating: 3.41 #16
2025 Talent Rating: 988.00 #12
Blue Chip Ratio: 52 #12
Clemson's 2025 Expected Record: 7.4 - 5.6
Clemson's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 9.5 #34
Clemson's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.5 #65
Clemson's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.9 #24

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
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 Dog vs Spread: 3 - 1 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0

Projected Score
Penn State 28
Clemson 22

Projected Total Points: 50

Clemson Scoring
Offense: 27.2 PPG
Offense at Home: 28
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 24

Clemson's 2025 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 5 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 4 - 9
Record at home: 3 - 4
Record vs Spread at home: 1 - 6 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 3 - 8 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 1 - 6 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2025	12/27	Clemson	10	Penn State	22	Clemson -2.5	Penn State	47.5	Under

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Clemson	0	0	0 Overs
Penn State	1	1	1 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	0 - 1	0 - 1	0 - 1	0 - 0
Road Teams	1 - 0	1 - 0	0 - 0	1 - 0

Penn State Recent Bowl History
Date	Bowl	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result
2025	Pinstripe Bowl	Penn State vs Clemson	+2.5	47.5	W 22 - 10
2024	CFP Semifinal	Penn State vs Notre Dame	-1.5	45.5	L 24 - 27
2024	CFP Quarterfinal	Penn State vs Boise State	-11.5	54.5	W 31 - 14
2024	CFP 1st Round	Penn State vs SMU	-9.0	52.5	W 38 - 10
2023	Peach Bowl	Penn State vs Ole Miss	-5.5	53.0	L 25 - 38
2022	Rose Bowl	Penn State vs Utah	-1.5	55.5	W 35 - 21
2021	Outback Bowl	Penn State vs Arkansas	+3.5	51.0	L 10 - 24
2019	Cotton Bowl	Penn State vs Memphis	-7.0	59.5	W 53 - 39

Clemson Recent Bowl History
Date	Bowl	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result
2025	Pinstripe Bowl	Clemson vs Penn State	-2.5	47.5	L 10 - 22
2024	CFP 1st Round	Clemson vs Texas	+13.5	49.5	L 24 - 38
2023	Gator Bowl	Clemson vs Kentucky	-3.5	44.5	W 38 - 35
2022	Orange Bowl	Clemson vs Tennessee	-4.0	62.0	L 14 - 31
2021	It Bowl	Clemson vs Iowa State	-1.5	44.0	W 20 - 13
2020	CFP Semifinal	Clemson vs Ohio State	-7.5	66.5	L 28 - 49
2019	CFP Nat'l Title	Clemson vs LSU	+5.0	67.0	L 25 - 42
2019	CFP Semifinal	Clemson vs Ohio State	-3.0	63.5	W 29 - 23

(#13) PSU at (#24) CLEM

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	PSU	CLEM
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#13	#24
SP+SP+	#15	#34
Perf GradeGrade	#23	#50
OffenseOff	#29	#65
DefenseDef	#38	#33
Spec TeamsST	#13	#30
TalentTal	#4	#12
Blue ChipsBC%	#10	#12

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

Clemson Notes(11/2) Things are getting toxic with HC Swinney
(11/2) 1-4 at home going into FSU game. Beat Troy
(11/2) Off great, Def torched, ST's cost bad in Duke L
(10/21) Top WR Bryant Wesco out for season (back inj)
(10/19) 5 straight losses at home vs FBS after SMU loss
(10/19) QB Vizzina was good, but Run Off putrid in SMU L
(10/16) QB Klubnik apparently injured, may miss SMU
(9/20) Def torched by Cuse. Klubnik can't carry this Off
(9/18) Get LT Leigh, WR Williams, S Barnes back (Cuse)
(9/15) Off just bad, Klubnick asked to carry too much
(8/30) Run game awful, OL awful. Not an elite team
(6/6) OL returns 5/5, a top 10 unit in all CFB
Clemson Injury Report

Penn State on Offense

Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	PSU Off	CLEM Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#29	#33
SuccessSuc	#4	#48
ExplosiveExp	#116	#106
PPAPPA	#11	#52
PowerPwr	#17	#16
SP+SP+	#17	#24
Pts POPPO	#9	#48
HavocHav	#3	#20

Penn State Run Game

Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	PSU Off	CLEM Def
Run GameRun	#20	#35
Run SuccessRSuc	#9	#68
Run ExplRExp	#90	#119
PPAExp	#20	#84
Run BlockR Blk	#18	-
OL YdsOLY	#10	#54
Stuff RateStuff	#24	#44
TackleTak	-	#11

Penn State Pass Game

Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	PSU Off	CLEM Def
Pass GamePass	#70	#62
Pass SuccessPSuc	#4	#36
Pass ExplPExl	#107	#60
PPAExp	#11	#28
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	#15	#39
F7 HavocF7	#8	#38
DB HavocDB	#5	#20

Clemson on Offense

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	CLEM Off	PSU Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#65	#38
SuccessSuc	#24	#21
ExplosiveExp	#70	#81
PPAPPA	#21	#9
PowerPwr	#38	#24
SP+SP+	#65	#22
Pts POPPO	#29	#18
HavocHav	#25	#38

Clemson Run Game

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	CLEM Off	PSU Def
Run GameRun	#105	#67
Run SuccessRSuc	#12	#27
Run ExplRExp	#69	#42
PPAExp	#19	#12
Run BlockR Blk	#79	-
OL YdsOLY	#29	#3
Stuff RateStuff	#53	#1
TackleTak	-	#36

Clemson Pass Game

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	CLEM Off	PSU Def
Pass GamePass	#29	#37
Pass SuccessPSuc	#36	#25
Pass ExplPExl	#79	#91
PPAExp	#38	#16
Pass Block/RushP Blk	#73	#31
F7 HavocF7	#40	#26
DB HavocDB	#21	#57

Program Comparison
CLEM 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top 25 Contenders
'25 Profile: Down to Average P4

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

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

Rematch from Week 1
Clemson -2.5 (47.5)
Penn State won at Clemson this year (22-10)

Previous Matchups
Penn State beat Clemson last year (22-10)

PSU's OC Andy Kotelnicki (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Ethan Grunkemeyer	123	178	69%	1339	8	4	7.5
Drew Allar	103	159	65%	1100	8	3	6.9

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Kaytron Allen	210	1303	15	6.2	67
Nicholas Singleton	123	549	13	4.5	59
Drew Allar	36	172	1	4.8	27
Quinton Martin Jr.	20	103	0	5.2	21

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Trebor Pena (Tr)	49	552	2	11.3	73
Devonte Ross (Tr)	36	501	5	13.9	75
Kyron Ware-Hudson	23	288	2	12.5	31
Luke Reynolds	26	257	0	9.9	22

View Penn State's Full Roster

PSU's DC Jim Knowles (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Amare Campbell (Tr)	103	10	3	4	1
Zakee Wheatley	74	2	0	3	1
Dominic DeLuca	66	7	2	4	3
King Mack (Tr)	58	1	1	1	3

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Dani Dennis-Sutton	42	12	8	8	3
Zane Durant	25	5	4	1	2
Amare Campbell (Tr)	103	10	3	4	1
Dominic DeLuca	66	7	2	4	3

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Daryus Dixson	24	2	1	0	6
Elliot Washington II	18	0	0	0	3
Dominic DeLuca	66	7	2	4	3

CLEM's OC Garrett Riley (been OC for 3 years)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Cade Klubnik	257	392	66%	2943	16	6	7.5
Christopher Vizzina	45	71	63%	406	4	1	5.7

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Adam Randall	168	814	10	4.8	46
Gideon Davidson	60	260	0	4.3	28
Chris Denson	7	108	1	15.4	50
Cade Klubnik	83	94	4	1.1	13

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
T.J. Moore	52	837	4	16.1	75
Antonio Williams	55	604	4	11.0	64
Bryant Wesco Jr.	31	537	6	17.3	73
Adam Randall	36	254	3	7.1	35

View Clemson's Full Roster

CLEM's DC Tom Allen (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Sammy Brown	107	14	6	6	5
Wade Woodaz	70	7	1	2	3
Ronan Hanafin	64	2	0	0	4
Avieon Terrell	48	5	3	0	8

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Will Heldt (Tr)	46	15	6	10	2
Sammy Brown	107	14	6	6	5
T.J. Parker	37	9	5	7	1
Jaheim Lawson	19	7	4	4	3

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Avieon Terrell	48	5	3	0	8
Ashton Hampton	45	3	1	0	8
Sammy Brown	107	14	6	6	5