Indiana vs Penn State Prediction: Dangerous Date for the Hoosiers
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Penn State has lost five straight in one of the most bizarre disappointments in college football history.
This was supposed to be a national championship season, but now it has to find three wins. In the last four games just to get to a bowl game. With Michigan State, Nebraska, and Rutgers to close, it should get bowling, but taking down Indiana, at this point, will make the season.
The Hoosiers are rolling.
They haven’t beaten Penn State since opening that crazy 2000 season when Michael Penix Jr. (HE … WAS … SHORT!) scored on a game-winning two-point conversion.
Iowa is the only team to come closer than double-digits of IU, and now this is it. With Wisconsin and Purdue to close, just book that trip to the Big Ten Championship at 12-0 if it can pull this off.
Indiana vs Penn State Preview
How To Watch Indiana vs Penn State
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV: FOX
Location: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
@PeteFiutak
Why Indiana Will Win
Penn State isn’t showing enough firepower.
It has a ton of talent at running back, but the ground game is struggling – even though touchdown runs aren’t a problem. The passing game lost its mojo without Drew Allar, the Nittany Lions are 125th in the nation in yards per completion.
The explosion that seemed like it was supposed to be there from the start isn’t there now. Indiana is the opposite.
It leads the nation in third down conversions and first downs, and it’s averaging well over 13 yards per completion. Even when things are a little sluggish – like they were last week against Maryland – give it a moment, and then … boom.
But it’s not just about hitting the big plays and moving the ball down the field quickly. Again with the third downs, Penn State isn’t coming up with enough stops to help the offense, and …
Why Penn State Will Win
The talent is still there.
This has been a total program meltdown, but the Nittany Lions are still loaded with speed and playmakers. It’s going to have to start with the defensive front and the stops against the run.
Things have crashed over the last few weeks against Iowa and Ohio State, but the upside is there to be far, far better at getting into the backfield. It’s almost like this bunch isn’t being turned loose, and overall, the defense isn’t totally horrible.
But it’s all about the run defense.
Penn State isn’t getting enough out of the passing game, and that’s not changing in this. However, in the three wins – granted, against bad teams – Penn State allowed fewer than 4.5 yards per carry, and it should’ve beaten Northwestern after stuffing the run.
Indiana’s two worst games against the run were at Iowa and at Oregon, averaging a combined 2.9 yards per carry.
Indiana vs Penn State Prediction, Betting Lines
Again, Penn State doesn’t have the pop.
Ethan Grunkemeyer has yet to throw a touchdown pass since taking over for Allar, and it’s been a struggle just to hit passes. Doing that at Iowa and Ohio State didn’t help, and dealing with Indiana doesn’t make anything better.
No, this isn’t the same Hoosier team on the road as it is on the road, but it’ll get through this with a bit of a fight.
The Nittany Lions will show up, but Indiana is too sharp, too focused, and too good. Penn State will get a few big runs, and the defense will be good in the first half, but …
Nothing stops. The Crimson Red Machine rolls on.
Indiana 34, Penn State 17
Line: Indiana -14.5, o/u: 49.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Must See Rating: 4
Consensus Line from BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
– CFP Top 12 Rankings Prediction
Related: College Football Playoff Rankings Week 11: Reaction to All 25 Teams
This story was originally reported by College Football News on Nov 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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