While he may not win the big games, James Franklin doesn’t lose the matchups he isn’t supposed to.
However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any trap games on Penn State’s schedule. The Nittany Lions’ may start the season with a row of cupcake games, but there are still a few contests an upset could be brewing for.
Here’s three games Penn State fans should keep an eye on in 2025.
Iowa
Playing in Kinnick Stadium is never easy, and Penn State knows that better than anyone. The last three times the Nittany Lions have faced the Hawkeyes on the road, the outcome was decided by one possession.
Penn State came out with the win in two of those instances, but it lost the most recent trip to Iowa and needed a walk-off touchdown in 2017 to emerge victorious. The Nittany Lions will need to bring their A-game on Oct. 18 if they don’t want any stress.
Kicker Ryan Barker (94) makes an extra point kick at the Penn State football game against USC on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif. The Nittany Lions beat the Trojans 33-30 in overtime.
Sienna Pinney
Iowa may not be one of the premier teams in the Big Ten this season, but it continues to boast a quality defense. The Hawkeyes have also won two of the last three matchups against Penn State, which could make them one of very few threats on its schedule.
Additionally, the Nittany Lions struggled a bit on the road last year — having to come from behind against USC, Minnesota and Wisconsin — making their trip to Iowa City the No. 1 trap game on Penn State’s schedule.
UCLA
Another potential trap game for Penn State is once again on the road, but this time it’s on the other side of the country.
For the second straight year, the Nittany Lions are headed to Los Angeles after traveling to USC last year. But when they hop off the plane at LAX in 2025, they’ll be paying a visit to UCLA instead.
Similar to Iowa, the Bruins aren’t expected to compete at a high level in the conference, and were projected to be one of the worst teams until Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA this offseason.
Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton celebrates a sack at the Penn State football game against UCLA on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions defeated the Bruins 27-11.
Kate Hildebrand
Like many schools, Penn State had trouble on the West Coast in 2024. It had to come back from a 20-6 halftime deficit to defeat USC in overtime, and while the Trojans showed promise to begin the season, they finished 7-6.
It’s possible the time change and hefty travel impacts the Nittany Lions once again — the UCLA contest on Oct. 4 is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Nebraska
While the previous two trap game candidates are on the road, Nebraska is one opponent that could potentially upset Penn State in Beaver Stadium.
The Cornhuskers had one of their better years in recent memory last season under Matt Rhule, partially due to quarterback Dylan Raiola, finishing 7-6 and winning the Pinstripe Bowl over Boston College.
Raiola will likely take a step forward in 2025 as a true sophomore. He’s made it clear his confidence is through the roof and he feels no moment is too big for him — it’ll be interesting to see if that applies to the bright lights of the Nittany Lions home turf on Nov. 22.
MORE FOOTBALL COVERAGE
Penn State typically doesn’t see much portal movement, but 16 Nittany Lions hit the portal s…
If you’re interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.