The Lions clinched a bowl berth against Rutgers in the last game of the season, and now take on another underperforming team in the Clemson Tigers in the Pinstripe Bowl. How does the staff see this one
playing out?
Lando
This will be a battle of two teams devoid of many of their impact players. Never has the phrase “who wants it more” been more relevant. Cade Klubnik is playing (unlike 27 of his teammates), which isn’t great for the Nittany Lions, but it seems as though Kaytron Allen is suiting up for Penn State, along with many other offensive and defensive starters. I know most who follow the Blue and White are already looking to 2026, but with this game being played on my son’s first birthday, I have to go with his new favorite team.
Penn State 24, Clemson 21
Chris
Penn State hasn’t had as many players opt out (yet) as I’d expected, though some key pieces are missing, and a few extras are injured. Still, Clemson appears to have been hit much harder than Penn State on the personnel front, which would lend itself to a PSU win. Conversely, the Lions are dealing with an interim/transitional coaching staff, while the Tigers have Dabo and his staff in place, so that one goes in the Clemson column. Weather will likely be colder than what Clemson is used to, but a late-December “heat wave” may make all of that a moot point. So, yeah, really solid, groundbreaking analysis here. I guess at the end of the day, I want Penn State to win, so I’ll go with that.
Penn State 27, Clemson 17
Tim
It seems both teams will have their share of opt-outs, whether it’s guys saving their bodies for the NFL Draft, or guys who are entering the transfer portal. I realize Kaytron Allen hasn’t announced anything and is likely to suit up, but I will be shocked if he gets more than a series or two, as he has absolutely nothing left to accomplish or prove. Even without Allen or Nicholas Singleton (who already announced he is opting out), PSU has a nice stable of backup running backs in Corey Smith, Cam Wallace, and Quinton Martin who could use the opportunity to shine and showcase themselves for Matt Campbell’s staff. Not having the likes of Zane Durant, Zakee Wheatley, and AJ Harris certainly doesn’t help defensively, especially if Cade Klubnik plays the whole game at quarterback for Clemson.
That being said, I have no idea how to predict this one, so I guess I’ll just err on the homeristic side of things and pick Penn State in a walk-off field goal, similar to how they won the only other time they played a football game at Yankee Stadium.
Penn State 23, Clemson 20
Jared
(First appearing in the Game Preview)
How do you go about predicting a game with so many new faces in the lineup for both sides? There are so many unknowns with many players seeing significant time for the first time this season. There’s enough attrition on either side to impact gameplans, and you just don’t know if either will be able to establish a run game or get a consistent pass rush like you could rely on when at full strength.
I’m expecting a high-scoring affair with two talented quarterbacks with plenty of skill players still available, while both teams will be without several key players on defense. With so much uncertainty, I’ll strike an optimistic tone and pick the Nittany Lions to wrap up a frustrating season on a high note. Grunkemeyer continues his progress with his best game yet, with Andrew Rappleyea earning game MVP with 120 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Penn State 38, Clemson 34
