Penn State at Clemson - 2025 Matchup Preview
Penn State logo Penn State Nittany Lions vs Clemson TigersClemson logo
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 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: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 4) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 1)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Temp: 26.6°
Bowl Game Opt Outs
Our Line: Penn State -4.5  (SP+ PSU -6)

Projected Score: PSU: 27 - CLEM: 22 (49)
CLEM Win prob: 55% | Cover: 49%
PSU Travel: 504 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)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 3) (Avg: 1) (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: 1, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 4, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 2, Bad: 1, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 4, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 1, Poor: 0

Predictions for Penn State's Schedule
Clemson's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Clemson vs LSU-3.557.5L 10 - 17UN
Sat 9/6 Clemson vs Troy-31.051.5W 27 - 16UN
Sat 9/13 Clemson at Georgia Tech-2.549.5L 21 - 24UN
Sat 9/20 Clemson vs Syracuse-17.553.5L 21 - 34ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Clemson at North Carolina-15.547.5W 38 - 10OY
Sat 10/11 Clemson at Boston College-14.054.5W 41 - 10UY
Sat 10/18 Clemson vs SMU-3.549.5L 24 - 35ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 Clemson vs Duke-4.555.5L 45 - 46ON
Sat 11/8 Clemson vs Florida State-1.556.5W 24 - 10UY
Fri 11/14 Clemson at Louisville+1.550.5W 20 - 19UY
Sat 11/22 Clemson vs Furman-41.555.5W 45 - 10UN
Sat 11/29 Clemson at South Carolina+2.545.5W 28 - 14UY
Sat 12/27 Clemson vs Penn State-2.547.5L 10 - 22UN

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 5, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 5, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg: 1, Bad: 3, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 3, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 1

Predictions for Clemson'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
CLEM#57 (.19)42% (66)27.243% (81)2.99 (59)12143% (56)2533.8 (59)#47 (.11)37% (20)20.540% (42)36% (16)2.68 (9)41.71.21.3
 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
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
CLEM#21 (.27)47% (24)50% (12)3.28 (29)17445% (36)2794.33 (29)#52 (.14)40% (48)43% (68)38% (36)3.64 (48)47.60.71.9



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
CLEM Defense1320.52437.1%2.681.3 - - - - - 41%57%40%36%20%.11
 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
CLEM Offense1327.22842.4%3.81.2203741212534.143%56%43%43%15%.19

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
Clemson1328:5719.834%58%4.341.71.21.36.12.5130.3
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)
CLEM Defense1341% (2)40% (42) - - - - .04 (33)2.71 (30)83% (127)11% (20)0.95 (65)
 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)
CLEM Offense1343% (120)43% (81)29.6121.24.119 (99).1 (76)2.99 (59)72% (71)9% (49)0.91 (89)

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)
CLEM Defense1357% (136)36% (16) - - - - - - 9 (55).19 (49)1.7 (119)37% (7)28% (57).24 (54)8% (10)2 (81)
 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)
CLEM Offense1356% (19)43% (56)22.133.4252.97.611.522 (30)7 (88).28 (58)1.5 (97)29% (28)28% (89).21 (101)6% (84)1.8 (119)

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   Clemson: 13.395

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Penn State: 15.8   Clemson: 9.7




Clemson's Power Ratings
Clemson's Power Rating: 13.395  #27
Clemson's Offense Rating: 15.65  #37
Clemson's Defense Rating: -1.44  #26
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: 9.7  #32
Clemson's Offense SP+ Rating: 29.2  #59
Clemson's Defense SP+ Rating: 19.9  #26

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 27
Clemson 22


Total Points: 49

Based on Last 4 Games
Clemson 27
Penn State 22

Total Points: 49

Based on Entire Season
Clemson 27
Penn State 26

Total Points: 53
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


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202512/27Clemson10Penn State22Clemson -2.5Penn State47.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Clemson000 Overs
Penn State111 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 10 - 0
Road Teams1 - 01 - 00 - 01 - 0

Penn State Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2025Pinstripe Bowl Penn State vs Clemson+2.547.5W 22 - 10
2024CFP Semifinal Penn State vs Notre Dame-1.545.5L 24 - 27
2024CFP Quarterfinal Penn State vs Boise State-11.554.5W 31 - 14
2024CFP 1st Round Penn State vs SMU-9.052.5W 38 - 10
2023Peach Bowl Penn State vs Ole Miss-5.553.0L 25 - 38
2022Rose Bowl Penn State vs Utah-1.555.5W 35 - 21
2021Outback Bowl Penn State vs Arkansas+3.551.0L 10 - 24
2019Cotton Bowl Penn State vs Memphis-7.059.5W 53 - 39
Clemson Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2025Pinstripe Bowl Clemson vs Penn State-2.547.5L 10 - 22
2024CFP 1st Round Clemson vs Texas+13.549.5L 24 - 38
2023Gator Bowl Clemson vs Kentucky-3.544.5W 38 - 35
2022Orange Bowl Clemson vs Tennessee-4.062.0L 14 - 31
2021It Bowl Clemson vs Iowa State-1.544.0W 20 - 13
2020CFP Semifinal Clemson vs Ohio State-7.566.5L 28 - 49
2019CFP Nat'l Title Clemson vs LSU+5.067.0L 25 - 42
2019CFP Semifinal Clemson vs Ohio State-3.063.5W 29 - 23
  
(#18) PSU at (#27) CLEM
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatPSUCLEM
Power RatePwr #18 #27
SP+SP+ #20 #32
Perf GradeGrade #23 #46
OffenseOff #35 #55
DefenseDef #32 #34
Spec TeamsST #5 #31
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 OffCLEM Def
Perf GradePerf #35 #34
SuccessSuc #26 #20
ExplosiveExp #100 #122
PPAPPA #31 #47
PowerPwr #19 #26
SP+SP+ #21 #26
Pts POPPO #26 #9
HavocHav #38 #10
Penn State Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffCLEM Def
Run GameRun #23 #40
Run SuccessRSuc #26 #42
Run ExplRExp #53 #65
PPAExp #21 #33
Run BlockR Blk #13 -
OL YdsOLY #34 #30
Stuff RateStuff #31 #22
TackleTak -  #9
Penn State Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffCLEM Def
Pass GamePass #89 #57
Pass SuccessPSuc #34 #16
Pass ExplPExl #110 #119
PPAExp #52 #49
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #11 #40
F7 HavocF7 #49 #20
DB HavocDB #25 #10
Clemson on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCatCLEM OffPSU Def
Perf GradePerf #55 #32
SuccessSuc #66 #61
ExplosiveExp #72 #17
PPAPPA #57 #50
PowerPwr #37 #30
SP+SP+ #59 #31
Pts POPPO #59 #40
HavocHav #60 #62
Clemson Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
CLEM OffPSU Def
Run GameRun #107 #63
Run SuccessRSuc #81 #94
Run ExplRExp #89 #55
PPAExp #76 #75
Run BlockR Blk #80 -
OL YdsOLY #59 #85
Stuff RateStuff #51 #80
TackleTak -  #53
Clemson Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCatCLEM OffPSU Def
Pass GamePass #19 #39
Pass SuccessPSuc #56 #39
Pass ExplPExl #97 #27
PPAExp #58 #42
Pass Block/RushP Blk #87 #17
F7 HavocF7 #49 #35
DB HavocDB #84 #101
Program Comparison
CLEM 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top 25 Contenders
'25 Profile: Down to Average P4

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Yankee Stadium
Conditions: Cloudy
Temp: 27° - Wind: 8 mph
Snow: 0.157
Rematch from Week 1
Clemson -2.5 (47.5)
Penn State won at Clemson this year (22-10)

No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
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

CLEM's OC Garrett Riley (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Cade Klubnik25739266%29431667.5
Christopher Vizzina457163%406415.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Adam Randall168814104.846
Gideon Davidson6026004.328
Chris Denson7108115.450
Cade Klubnik839441.113
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
T.J. Moore52837416.175
Antonio Williams55604411.064
Bryant Wesco Jr.31537617.373
Adam Randall3625437.135

View Clemson's Full Roster

CLEM's DC Tom Allen (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Sammy Brown10514665
Wade Woodaz707123
Ronan Hanafin642004
Avieon Terrell485308
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Will Heldt (Tr)46156102
Sammy Brown10514665
T.J. Parker379571
Jaheim Lawson197443
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Avieon Terrell485308
Ashton Hampton453108
Sammy Brown10514665