While he may not win the big games, James Franklin doesn\u2019t lose the matchups he isn\u2019t supposed to.<\/p>\n
However, that doesn\u2019t mean there aren\u2019t any trap games on Penn State\u2019s schedule. The Nittany Lions\u2019 may start the season with a row of cupcake games, but there are still a few contests an upset could be brewing for.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s three games Penn State fans should keep an eye on in 2025.<\/p>\n
Iowa<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019t want any stress.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sienna Pinney<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the Nittany Lions struggled a bit on the road last year \u2014 having to come from behind against USC, Minnesota and Wisconsin \u2014 making their trip to Iowa City the No. 1 trap game on Penn State\u2019s schedule.<\/p>\n
UCLA<\/p>\n
Another potential trap game for Penn State is once again on the road, but this time it\u2019s on the other side of the country.<\/p>\n
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\u2019ll be paying a visit to UCLA instead.<\/p>\n
Similar to Iowa, the Bruins aren\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Kate Hildebrand<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s possible the time change and hefty travel impacts the Nittany Lions once again \u2014 the UCLA contest on Oct. 4 is certainly one to keep an eye on.<\/p>\n
Nebraska<\/p>\n
While the previous two trap game candidates are on the road, Nebraska is one opponent that could potentially upset Penn State in Beaver Stadium.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Raiola will likely take a step forward in 2025 as a true sophomore. He\u2019s made it clear his confidence is through the roof and he feels no moment is too big for him \u2014 it\u2019ll be interesting to see if that applies to the bright lights of the Nittany Lions home turf on Nov. 22.<\/p>\n
MORE FOOTBALL COVERAGE<\/p>\n