The 2025 Penn State football schedule: Path to the College Football Playoff?

Penn State football is preparing for its most anticipated, highly regarded season yet under head coach James Franklin.

The Nittany Lions, who return a dozen starters from last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal team, are expected to land in most national top-five preseason polls.

Some are even predicting them to win their first national championship in 39 years.

Penn State will be led, on offense, by All-America candidates at quarterback, running back and along the line, to go with a rebuilt receiver room. On defense, they feature stars on each level, including potentially the top cornerback room in the nation.

The Lions will begin the season as heavy favorites in three non-conference games and play five of their first six in Beaver Stadium. They may well not even play a ranked opponent at home after September.

Here’s the Penn State schedule for the 2025 season:

2025 Penn State football schedule

Nevada at Penn State, Aug. 30

Florida International at Penn State, Sept. 6

Villanova at Penn State, Sept. 13

Off, Sept. 20

Oregon at Penn State, Sept. 20

Penn State at UCLA, Oct. 4

Northwestern at Penn State, Oct. 11

Penn State at Iowa, Oct. 18

Off, Oct. 25

Penn State at Ohio State, Nov. 1

Indiana at Penn State, Nov. 8

Penn State at Michigan State, Nov. 15

Nebraska at Penn State, Nov. 22

Penn State at Rutgers, Nov. 29

Big Ten Championship Game, Dec. 6 (Indianapolis)

College Football Playoff, first round, Dec. 19-20

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at  fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.

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