Penn State has opened as an underdog for the first time in 2025. The Iowa Hawkeyes are currently a 2.5-point favorite over the Nittany Lions, according to FanDuel.
Penn State’s stunning three-game skid
continued with a 22-21 Homecoming loss to Northwestern on Saturday. The Nittany Lions have now lost consecutive games where they were more than 20-point favorites, following the 42-37 loss at UCLA in week five.
The Nittany Lions will also be without quarterback Drew Allar, who was lost for the season after an injury late in the game. Redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer will make his first start under center for Penn State against a hostile night crowd in Kinnick Stadium.
Iowa had a much better Saturday, shutting out Wisconsin 37-0. The win gave them a 4-2 record, and helped them bounce back from a 20-15 loss to Indiana.
Penn State and Iowa will kick off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, with coverage provided by Peacock.
