Penn State football fans have plenty to be excited about as the **2025 season schedule** has officially been released. With a mix of non-conference matchups, Big Ten battles, and marquee games, the Nittany Lions are gearing up for what could be a defining season.
### **A Strong Start at Home**
Penn State kicks off the season with three consecutive home games, providing an opportunity to build momentum early. They will face **Nevada** on August 30, followed by **Florida International (FIU)** on September 6, and **Villanova** on September 13 [A](https://bing.com/search?q=Penn+State+2025+football+schedule&copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9iaW5nLmNvbVwvc2VhcmNoP3E9UGVubitTdGF0ZSsyMDI1K2Zvb3RiYWxsK3NjaGVkdWxlIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX21lc3NhZ2VJZCI6IlZHdUNXbVo0UGdGbzN1aEhBY25lZCIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jb252ZXJzYXRpb25JZCI6IkVHSkxyaExOQ0FtRXRvU3pTVzhhaSJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). These matchups should allow the team to fine-tune their strategies before diving into the heart of their schedule.
### **The Big Ten Challenge Begins**
The first major test comes on **September 27**, when **Oregon** visits Beaver Stadium [A](https://bing.com/search?q=Penn+State+2025+football+schedule&copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJFR0pMcmhMTkNBbUV0b1N6U1c4YWkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9iaW5nLmNvbVwvc2VhcmNoP3E9UGVubitTdGF0ZSsyMDI1K2Zvb3RiYWxsK3NjaGVkdWxlIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX21lc3NhZ2VJZCI6IlZHdUNXbVo0UGdGbzN1aEhBY25lZCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). This game is expected to be a high-stakes showdown, as Oregon remains one of the top teams in the country. Following this, Penn State hits the road to face **UCLA** on October 4, marking a tough back-to-back stretch.
### **Midseason Battles and Key Matchups**
Penn State returns home on **October 11** to take on **Northwestern**, a game that could serve as a reset before another challenging road trip. They will travel to **Iowa** on October 18, a team known for its gritty defense and tough home-field advantage.
One of the most anticipated games of the season comes on **October 25**, when Penn State faces **Ohio State** in Columbus [A](https://bing.com/search?q=Penn+State+2025+football+schedule&copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiVkd1Q1dtWjRQZ0ZvM3VoSEFjbmVkIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvYmluZy5jb21cL3NlYXJjaD9xPVBlbm4rU3RhdGUrMjAyNStmb290YmFsbCtzY2hlZHVsZSIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jb252ZXJzYXRpb25JZCI6IkVHSkxyaExOQ0FtRXRvU3pTVzhhaSIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jbGlja1NvdXJjZSI6ImNpdGF0aW9uTGluayJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). The Nittany Lions have struggled to win at Ohio State in recent years, making this matchup a crucial test for their playoff aspirations.
### **The Final Stretch**
As the season winds down, Penn State will host **Indiana** on November 1 before heading to **Nebraska** on November 8. These games could be pivotal in determining their standing in the Big Ten. The regular season concludes with a road game against **Michigan State** on November 22, a matchup that has historically been unpredictable.
### **Playoff Aspirations**
With a favorable schedule that avoids matchups against Michigan, Illinois, and USC, Penn State has a legitimate shot at making a deep run in the **College Football Playoff** [B](https://www.ydr.com/story/sports/college/penn-state/football/2025/05/07/penn-state-football-2025-schedule-oregon-ohio-state-and-who-else/83462235007/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJFR0pMcmhMTkNBbUV0b1N6U1c4YWkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cueWRyLmNvbVwvc3RvcnlcL3Nwb3J0c1wvY29sbGVnZVwvcGVubi1zdGF0ZVwvZm9vdGJhbGxcLzIwMjVcLzA1XC8wN1wvcGVubi1zdGF0ZS1mb290YmFsbC0yMDI1LXNjaGVkdWxlLW9yZWdvbi1vaGlvLXN0YXRlLWFuZC13aG8tZWxzZVwvODM0NjIyMzUwMDdcLyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJWR3VDV21aNFBnRm8zdWhIQWNuZWQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [C](https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/college/penn-state/football/2025/05/07/penn-state-football-schedule-2025-college-football-playoff-return-what-to-know/83454733007/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJFR0pMcmhMTkNBbUV0b1N6U1c4YWkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cucGFsbWJlYWNocG9zdC5jb21cL3N0b3J5XC9zcG9ydHNcL2NvbGxlZ2VcL3Blbm4tc3RhdGVcL2Zvb3RiYWxsXC8yMDI1XC8wNVwvMDdcL3Blbm4tc3RhdGUtZm9vdGJhbGwtc2NoZWR1bGUtMjAyNS1jb2xsZWdlLWZvb3RiYWxsLXBsYXlvZmYtcmV0dXJuLXdoYXQtdG8ta25vd1wvODM0NTQ3MzMwMDdcLyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jbGlja1NvdXJjZSI6ImNpdGF0aW9uTGluayIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJWR3VDV21aNFBnRm8zdWhIQWNuZWQifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). If they can navigate their toughest games successfully, they could find themselves in the Big Ten Championship and beyond.
Penn State fans will be eagerly watching how the team performs under head coach **James Franklin**, who has built a strong program over the years. With talented returning players and a promising roster, the 2025 season could be one for the history books.
Are you excited for the season? Which game do you think will be the biggest challenge for Penn State? ๐๐ฅ
