Nebraska vs Penn State Prediction: Can the Nittany Lions Get One Big Win?

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Nebraska vs Penn State Prediction: Can the Nittany Lions Get One Big Win?

It always matters to beat Penn State.

Nebraska got by UCLA, and it hasn’t been bad, but it’s 2-2 in its last four games and has to win this and beat Iowa to get a decent bowl game.

It’s bowl eligible, and Penn State is trying to get there.

Beating Michigan State last week was okay, getting by Rutgers next week is a must, and if the Nittany Lions want to get to a bowl game, they have to win this in the home finale, or it’ll be a losing season.

As bad as this season has been, win the last two games, and closing out on a three-game winning streak would be terrific.

Nebraska vs Penn State Preview

Oct 25, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium.© Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

How To Watch Nebraska vs Penn State

Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: NBC
Location: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
@PeteFiutak 
CFP Top 25 Breakdown of Every Spot

Why Nebraska Will Win

The Emmett Johnson show needs to continue.

The Husker back has carried the offense over the last several weeks, running for 120 yards or more in four of the last five games, and last week, also caught three passes for over 100 yards and two scores in the win over UCLA.

Johnson’s running is taking all of the pressure off of quarterback TJ Lateef, who stepped in for an injured Dylan Raiola and hit 87% of his throws for over 200 yards and three scores last week. 

The Penn State defense is fine, but the team is 0-5 against teams able to get to at least 300 yards of total offense, but …

Nov 15, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) runs for a first down in the second quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium.© Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images

Why Penn State Will Win

Keeping the O going isn’t a given with Nebraska.

It was solid against a struggling UCLA team trying to get through the rest of the slate, but here comes the Penn State pass rush.

Nebraska’s offensive line has struggled in pass protection, and the Nittany Lion defensive front that keeps on pushing – Dani Dennis-Sutton and company wore the Michigan State offensive line as a hat – should be able to hold up.

The Penn State secondary and pass defense won’t give up much to Lateef, and …

Nebraska vs Penn State Prediction, Betting Lines

Can Penn State really come up with a big performance against a bowl bound team?

The offense was able to rumble on the struggling Michigan State defense, and it’ll run for close to five yards per carry against the Huskers to control the tempo throughout.

But the final home game of the season will be about the defense that clamps down on Johnson to get one step away from a bowl game.

Penn State 24, Nebraska 20
Line: Penn State -9.5, o/u:  44.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Must See Rating: 3

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.

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This story was originally reported by College Football News on Nov 20, 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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