ESPN FPI matchup predictions for Penn State's 2025 season starting with Week 1 vs. Nevada

According to ESPN's Football Power Index matchup predictions, Penn State is ready for a big season.

ESPN's FPI odds are already forecasting Penn State to be one of the top two contenders for the Big Ten championship and easily on the radar for a shot at a national title. But if we dig just a little deeper, how much confidence do ESPN's metrics have in Penn State on a week-by-week basis?

Below is a look at each game on Penn State's 2025 schedule with a closer look at ESPN's FPI matchup predictor results for each matchup. As you should probably have come to expect, Penn State appears to be a comfortable favorite in just about every game on its schedule this season, including home games against Oregon, Indiana, and Nebraska. But that road trip to Columbus continues to look like the biggest hiccup of the year.

Here is how the ESPN FPI matchup predictions look for Penn State's entire 2025 season, as well as a running look at Penn State's projected record based on these odds.

Aug. 30 vs. Nevada

Dec 21, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Dominic DeLuca (0) reacts following an interception during the second quarter against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the first round of the College Football Playoff at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

  • Beaver Stadium (University Park, Pennsylvania)
  • Predicted Winner | Penn State
  • Nittany Lions Win Probability | 99.0%
  • All-Time Series | First meeting
  • Projected Running Record | 1-0

Sep. 6 vs. FIU

Indiana's Zach Horton (44) runs after the catch during the first half of the Indiana versus Florida International football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.

  • Beaver Stadium (University Park, Pennsylvania)
  • Predicted Winner | Penn State
  • Nittany Lions Win Probability | 98.3%
  • All-Time Series | PSU leads 1-0
  • Projected Running Record | 2-0

Sep. 13 vs. Villanova

Sep 25, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats tight end Todd Summers (86) carries the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Zuriah Fisher (36) pushes him out of bounds during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Villanova 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

  • Beaver Stadium (University Park, Pennsylvania)
  • Predicted Winner | Penn State
  • Nittany Lions Win Probability | 99.0%
  • All-Time Series | Penn State leads 5-3-1
  • Projected Running Record | 3-0

Sep. 27 vs. Oregon

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) stiff arms Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Zion Tracy (7) on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, during the Big Ten Championship game between the Oregon Ducks and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

  • Beaver Stadium (University Park, Pennsylvania)
  • Predicted Winner | Penn State
  • Nittany Lions Win Probability | 72.9%
  • All-Time Series | Penn State leads 3-2
  • Projected Running Record | 4-0

Oct. 4 at UCLA

Oct 5, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Quinton Martin Jr (25) runs with the ball on a return during the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

  • Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
  • Predicted Winner | Penn State
  • Nittany Lions Win Probability | 82.0%
  • All-Time Series | UCLA leads 4-3
  • Projected Running Record | 5-0

Oct. 11 vs. Northwestern

Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Cam Porter (1) runs the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

  • Beaver Stadium (University Park, Pennsylvania)
  • Predicted Winner | Penn State
  • Nittany Lions Win Probability | 94.0%
  • All-Time Series | Penn State leads 16-5
  • Projected Running Record | 6-0

Oct. 18 at Iowa

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz during a timeout against Penn State in Beaver Stadium Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa.

  • Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City, Iowa)
  • Predicted Winner | Penn State
  • Nittany Lions Win Probability | 75.6%
  • All-Time Series | Penn State leads 18-14
  • Projected Running Record | 7-0

Nov. 1 at Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive linemen Seth McLaughlin (56), Carson Hinzman (75) and Donovan Jackson (74) block during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Ohio State won 20-13.

  • Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
  • Predicted Winner | Ohio State
  • Nittany Lions Win Probability | 42.8%
  • All-Time Series | Ohio State leads 26-14
  • Projected Running Record | 7-1

Nov. 8 vs. Indiana

Nov 9, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; A view of Indiana Hoosiers helmet before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

  • Beaver Stadium (University Park, Pennsylvania)
  • Predicted Winner | Penn State
  • Nittany Lions Win Probability | 82.7%
  • All-Time Series | Penn State leads 25-2
  • Projected Running Record | 8-1

Nov. 15 at Michigan State

Nov 24, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A Michigan State Spartans helmet sits on a bench during the second half game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

  • Spartan Stadium (East Lansing, Michigan)
  • Predicted Winner | Penn State
  • Nittany Lions Win Probability | 87.3%
  • All-Time Series | Penn State leads 19-18-1
  • Projected Running Record | 9-1

Nov. 22 vs. Nebraska

Dec 28, 2024; Bronx, NY, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Ceyair Wright (15) celebrates a defensive stop during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

  • Beaver Stadium (University Park, Pennsylvania)
  • Predicted Winner | Penn State
  • Nittany Lions Win Probability | 83.7%
  • All-Time Series | Nebraska leads 10-8
  • Projected Running Record | 10-1

Nov. 29 at Rutgers

Nov 20, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; A detailed view of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football helmets during a warmup prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

  • SHI Stadium (Piscataway, New Jersey)
  • Predicted Winner | Penn State
  • Nittany Lions Win Probability | 81.6%
  • All-Time Series | Penn State leads 32-2
  • Projected Running Record | 11-1

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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: ESPN FPI matchup predictions for every game on Penn State's schedule

Category: General Sports