Penn State begins its 2025 season by facing off against an opponent it has never played before in the Nevada Wolfpack. How does the staff see this one playing out?
Lando
Penn State gets off to a good start in a season opener, which is something I am not used to seeing as a fan of the Nittany Lions. Playing time abound for several players, and the usual suspects get into the end zone.
Penn State 45, Nevada 7
Chris
I expect this will ultimately be a nothing burger when we look at the season in hindsight, but I also
expect in the moment there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth from the Penn State proletariat. Mostly because while I expect a solid win, I don’t expect Penn State to utterly demolish Nevada. Why would they? They’re going to put the starters out there for the first half, maybe even the beginning of the third quarter, then they’re going to go as deep on the bench as possible. Penn State is still sorting out its new-look offense, and will be knocking the rust off. The defense is replacing a bunch of guys and has a new scheme to learn to boot.
It’s going to be a “closer than desired” score into the second half, I all but guarantee it. And so there will be rending of garments, because Penn State ONLY beat Nevada by 3 or 4 touchdowns instead of the checks notes 44.5-point spread. Again, when the dust settles in January, this will be a minor blip, a footnote, a minor aside. But when the score is just 14-10 at the half, or 28-10 midway through the third quarter, I 100% expect the game threads to be on fire.
Penn State 42, Nevada 10
Patrick
Penn State’s average margin of victory against non-Power 4 out-of-conference opponents since 2022 is 39.5 so this 44.5 is a big number. But here’s the thing this number isn’t accounting for: this is The Year (TM). Everything we’ve been hearing about this Penn State team is how focused they are and how good they know they are. I don’t expect a slow start or a letdown or any sort, both from the starters and the backups that eventually get plenty of snaps. I think James Franklin and this team want to make a statement right away.
Penn State 55, Nevada 10
Bennett
Big non-conference picture before narrowing my focus to this game. In past years, Penn State has typically played two of these kinds of games – an overmatched opponent with an enormous Vegas spread. Many times, it seems as though it takes Penn State a few drives or even a couple quarters to get going. We all remember them trailing to Bowling Green at the half last year. There are other cases like this – Buffalo back in 2019 comes to mind. My point? I don’t think Penn State wins ALL of these three non-conference games 63-0 with flawless execution. Even though I write for the site, I am not a game thread lurker. I’m sure there will be some “same as it always is” when the offense goes three-and-out with Drew throwing a off platform to no one in particular.
But…I think those annoying struggles come against FIU or Villanova. I think Penn State is ready to take the field and the 3:30 p.m. kick and the CBS audience allow the Lions to put on a show on opening day. At least one of the new transfers catches one of Drew’s two touchdown passes. Kaytron and Nick get in the endzone. The second half sees plenty of fresh faces on defense and Chaz Coleman comes away with his first career sack as Penn State rolls – but doesn’t cover.
Penn State 49, Nevada 7
Colin
Normally against an overmatched opponent, I would say Penn State is going to run the ball as much as possible, but not this time. With three tuneups until Oregon comes to town in late September, the Nittany Lions have a finite amount of time to get real game reps with the new wide receivers before the big test. The first half may feel a little slow as Penn State finds its rhythm in the passing game, but this one is never in doubt. By the end of the third quarter, all the starters are pulled, and the Nittany Lions cruise to victory.
Penn State 56, Nevada 10
Tim
This is a Penn State team looking to come out swinging from the opening kickoff against an overmatched opponent that brought in 50-plus new players via recruiting and the transfer portal and also saw its offensive line coach/run game coordinator abruptly resign the other week. I hope the Nevada players have fun and take lots of pictures from the greatest atmosphere in football they’ll likely ever experience.
Penn State 52, Nevada 7
Jared
(First appearing in the Game Preview)
Nevada was a better team last season than their 3-10 record would indicate. They took both SMU and Boise State to the wire, and had many other close contests that just didn’t go their way.
However, they are likely to be in over their heads on Saturday. The Wolf Pack, like so many other ‘non-4’ programs, had a deep roster overhaul between players moving on, and new players joining to find a different opportunity. Playing their first game in Beaver Stadium against a Penn State squad loaded with returning talent is not a great recipe for and upset. Things could go south for the Wolf Pack in a hurry, but at least they have Sacramento State on the schedule for next week.
Penn State will stall on its first drive before racing to a 31-3 advantage by halftime. With most of the starters on the bench, the reserves gain valuable experience with a few Nittany Lions getting a taste of their first big play that sends the Beaver Stadium crowd into a frenzy.
Penn State rolls to 1-0.
Penn State 52, Nevada 10
