Is Penn State challenging itself enough in non-conference play in 2025?
But after that early stretch, things get real. A bye week gives Penn State a breather before the Big Ten gauntlet begins with a highly anticipated home game against Oregon (Sept 27) in a rematch of the Big Ten championship game from a season ago and a road trip to UCLA (Oct 4) for Penn State's West Coast road trip this fall.
Despite those heavyweight matchups coming later, analysts still rank Penn State's overall schedule as the fifth toughest in the Big Ten. That's where the challenge lies: staying sharp through a soft start and making sure the team doesn't get too comfortable before the real tests begin.
Early wins, sure, but at what cost?
Blowout wins in Weeks 1–3 are likely, but they won't prep the team for the fire that's coming. The Nittany Lions need more than just points—they need pressure situations to stay game-ready.
A Weak non-conference schedule is fairly common for some of the top programs in college football, and Penn State has adopted this scheduling philosophy for decades, so this is nothing new. The bigger key for Penn State will be to iron out whatever wrinkles may be present at the start of the season and to stay healthy coming out of non-conference action. Ideally, the early slate will offer some good opportunities to give starters and key players a bit of an early rest in the second half.
Coaches Need To Turn Up The Heat
With no true early-season adversity, it's on the coaching staff to create intensity in practice. Simulated pressure, fast tempo, and reps in tough spots will be key to keeping the edge sharp.
James Franklin and his staff have tended to do well in finding a balance between staying the competitive fire going in practice and in early-season mismatches. Coming off last season should set the tone for a Penn State team to feel there is some unfinished business. Franklin has said for years the challenge is getting a team to take the next step toward greatness. He and his staff will look to achieve that this season.
West Coast Wake-Up Call
Once Big Ten play hits, it won't be forgiving. Oregon and UCLA will test everything—discipline, depth, and momentum. If Penn State isn't ready by the end of September, those early cupcakes might come back to bite them.
Of course, there are some challenges after the matchups with the old Pac-12 members-turned Big Ten brethren. A road trip to Iowa in mid-October is always a game to keep on the radar (and arguably the game of the week to watch in the Big Ten that week). And, of course, a road trip to Ohio State has been known to be a sour part of Penn State seasons since joining the Big Ten in 1993.
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