Staff score predictions for Clemson vs. Penn State Pinstripe Bowl

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Staff score predictions for Clemson vs. Penn State Pinstripe Bowl

Clemson’s season comes to an icy close on Saturday afternoon as the Tigers meet Penn State at Yankee Stadium in the Pinstripe Bowl, a matchup that looks far different than anyone expected back in August. When the year began, this was the type of pairing many envisioned happening deep in the College Football Playoff, not as a fight to end a turbulent season on a positive note. Instead, both programs had to grind through adversity and rely on late surges just to punch a postseason ticket.

For Clemson, that surge was real. Dabo Swinney’s team closed the regular season with four straight wins, capped by a physical road victory over South Carolina in the Palmetto Bowl. Cade Klubnik delivered one of his sharper performances down the stretch, throwing for 268 yards, while the defense flipped the game after halftime by completely shutting down South Carolina’s offense. Timely takeaways turned momentum into points, including a pick-six that sealed the outcome.

Penn State’s path to the postseason was far rockier. Once viewed as a national title contender, the Nittany Lions unraveled during a brutal midseason stretch that featured a six-game losing streak and a coaching change. Credit Penn State for stabilizing late, though, as three straight wins allowed the Lions to claw their way back into bowl eligibility and reset the tone heading into December.

Now, all of that leads to a cold, potentially snowy afternoon in the Bronx, where conditions could dictate pace, style, and strategy. Here’s what we’re thinking for Clemson vs. Penn State.

Turri: Clemson 17, Penn state 13

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney during the Pinstipe Bowl practice in Clemson, S.C. Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.

The weather is going to play a huge factor here, but I think this game comes down to who’s the more stable program. Well, they both don’t look spectacular in 2025, but the Tigers have a lot more going for them with Dabo Swinney still with the program and ready to make some changes.

Give me Clemson in a low scoring matchup.

Holley: Clemson 26, Penn State 23

Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina. Klubnik and Clemson face Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 27. (David Jensen/Getty Images)

The weather forecast looks miserable, and wintry conditions would seem to favor Penn State. But I like Clemson in this game with the way they’ve been playing. Their four-game winning streak to close the season was impressive. Cade Klubnik braves the conditions in his final Clemson start and has a solid day, the defense plays (mostly) well, and the Tigers end the year with a five-game winning streak similar to two years ago. 

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson football vs. Penn State Pinstripe Bowl score predictions

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