It’s time to predict what’s left to predict of the Penn State schedule.
In this era of college football where media networks have influence on when games are played, it adds another layer of complexity of planning your autumn Saturdays.
As far as the schedule goes, here are the game times and networks we know so far for Penn State in the 2025 season:
Week 1 vs. Nevada – August 30 at 3:30 PM on CBS
Week 2 vs. Florida International – September 6 at 12:00 PM on Big Ten Network
Week 3 vs. Villanova – September 13 at 3:30 PM on FS1
Week 4 Bye
Week 5 vs. Oregon – September 27 at 7:30 PM on NBC
With the draft that CBS, FOX, and NBC go through to pick games— and yes there are even trades that happen— let’s try to predict what time and what channel the rest of the 2025 slate will be.
Zane Durant & Abdul Carter pressure UCLA quarterback Justyn Martin.
Week 6: at UCLA
Prediction: 3:30 PM on CBS
Although Week 6 isn’t a banner week of the Big Ten, I doubt NBC will have Penn State in primetime in consecutive weeks on the schedule, though it could merit it.
This has a CBS feel, kind of like how Penn State and USC was a season ago.
Plus I doubt FOX would want to air a game that would be played at 9 AM Pacific Time from the Rose Bowl.
EVANSTON, IL – SEPTEMBER 30: Penn State Nittany Lions running back Trey Potts (23) runs into the endzone for a touchdown with Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Robert Fitzgerald (6) and Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Garner Wallace (18) trailing behind during the college football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Northwestern Wildcats on September 30, 2023 at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. (Photo by Ben Hsu/Icon Sportswire)
Week 7: vs. Northwestern
Prediction: NOON on Big Ten Network
Week 7 has a much more loaded slate to pick from. Oregon and Indiana should be the NBC primetime game with the game in Autzen.
There is no doubt in mind that Big Noon will flex for Ohio State/Illinois, that has all the makings of being a Top 15 matchup.
CBS most likely will air USC against Michigan since it will be at The Coliseum in Los Angeles and see above about 9 AM kicks.
Dani Dennis-Sutton gets to Cade McNamara to force an Iowa incompletion.
Week 8 at Iowa
Prediction: 3:30 PM on CBS
With NBC already broadcasting USC at Notre Dame, that eliminates the primetime slot.
While both Iowa and Penn State would be a prime selection for Big Noon on the schedule, the feeling I have is FOX is prioritizing the Indiana game later allowing CBS to feature this at 3:30.
Though I wouldn’t be surprised if this is Big Noon, if that were to happen then Indiana will be 3:30 PM on CBS.
Saquon Barkley had a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, but gained only 44 yards on 21 carries in No. 2 Penn State’s 39-38 loss to No. 6 Ohio State in Ohio Stadium on Oct. 29, 2017. Photo by Paul Burdick
Week 10: at Ohio State
Prediction: NOON on FOX
There is no doubt in my mind FOX will have this game.
There was no doubt in Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork’s mind this will be a Big Noon showcase.
It has all the makings of a potential “Game of the Century” No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup if both take care of their early tests.
With FOX still most likely airing the World Series, this has a potential to be a blockbuster day for the network with this game being the appetizer
COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 23: Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti talks to his players during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 23, 2024, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire)
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Week 11 Indiana
Prediction: NOON on FOX
The Iowa and Indiana games are swing games which could either be at noon or 3:30 PM.
FOX is prioritizing Penn State two-weeks in a row and it is a win-win for them.
Either Penn State is the No. 1 team in the country entering this game or the storyline will be can Penn State avoid the hangover?
Either way I lean FOX on this but as previously mentioned if FOX takes Iowa game, this will be on CBS at 3:30 PM.
DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Theo Johnson (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a college football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Michigan State Spartans on November 24, 2023 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire)
Week 12 at Michigan State
Prediction: 3:30 PM on FS1
Maybe I am underestimating Jonathan Smith’s rebuild but I feel there are more enticing matchups that Saturday.
The Big Ten already locked Iowa at USC for the 3:30 PM time slot, which bodes well for CBS.
This doesn’t have primetime cache NBC would want. NBC is most likely banking on Wisconsin vs. Indiana.
Big Noon is going to be in Columbus for Nico Iamaleava’s return to The Horseshoe against Ohio State.
This has a FS1 feel to it at 3:30, though I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a noon kick either.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JULY 27: Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule during the Big Ten Conference Media Days on July 27, 2023 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire)
Week 13 vs. Nebraska
Prediction: 3:30 PM on CBS
The difficulty of projecting this one is there are so many good games.
I feel NBC will get the USC/Oregon clash in primetime.
Matt Rhule returning to coach against his alma mater is great for ratings and a Big Noon kick.
To me, my three schools that have the best surprise potential in 2025 are: Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
I feel Illinois has potential to be a playoff team this year, Wisconsin will be improved, that show down at Camp Randall will have Big Noon there.
This is another week where if Big Noon doesn’t go to Camp Randall, expect them to be in Happy Valley.
Week 14 at Rutgers
Prediction: 12:00 PM on Big Ten Network
Penn State doesn’t have a marquee matchup on rivalry weekend that is going to be coveted.
FOX already staked the claim for Ohio State/Michigan for Big Noon, that eliminates any worry being at that time.
NBC and CBS will be on the West Coast this year, one will get “The Cascade Clash” between Oregon and Washington or “The Victory Bell” with USC and UCLA.
