Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Clemson Tigers Picks and Prediction for Saturday, December 27, 2025
Use Code WWWC We’re in the heart of bowl season and it brings us a clash between the Big Ten and the ACC when the Penn State Nittany Lions travel to face the Clemson Tigers Saturday afternoon in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl and we have you covered with our Penn State vs. Clemson prediction. Penn State closed their regular season slate with a 40-36 road win over Rutgers in their previous contest November 29, failing to cover the line as a 13.5-point favorite. Clemson downed South Carolina 28-14 on the road in their regular season finale November 29, winning outright as a 2.5-point underdog, in their previous game. In the all-time series between the teams, the Tigers took the lone previous meeting, winning 35-10 in the Citrus Bowl January 1, 1988. Read more about this Penn State vs. Clemson prediction! Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our NCAAF Betting Picks!
Penn State Tries to Finish Season Hot
Penn State was up and down this season but closed the regular season with momentum as they won their final three games by downing Rutgers in the finale. The Nittany Lions improved to 6-6 overall on the year and 3-6 in the Big Ten on the year. Against Rutgers, Penn State was in a wild, back and forth contest as the game was even at 14 after the opening quarter. The Nittany Lions led 24-21 at the half and 33-28 after three quarters only to trail 36-33 midway through the fourth before Amare Campbell returned a fumble 61 yards for the game-winning score with 7:27 remaining. Penn State was outgained 533-509 in total offense, gave up 27 first downs while picking up 23 and lost time of possession by a 32:24 to 27:36 margin. They forced the game’s lone turnover, which proved critical in the contest. The school did hire Matt Campbell away from Iowa State to be the next head coach. Co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Ty Howle has also been hired as the offensive coordinator at Virginia Tech. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is negotiating his buyout and will head to Tennessee. Offensive line coach Phil Trautwein is set to become Florida's next offensive line coach
The Nittany Lions enter this contest 112th in the nation in passing offense as they average 181.6 yards through the air this season. Penn State is 45th in rushing offense as they pick up 177.5 yards per contest. The Nittany Lions are 36th in the FBS in scoring offense by averaging 31.8 points per game and stand 38th in scoring defense by allowing just 21.4 points per contest. Drew Allar is 103 of 159 passing for 1,100 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions while adding 172 yards plus a score on the ground. Ethan Grunkemeyer (100 of 144, 1079 yards, six TD, four INT, rush TD) has seen action. Kaytron Allen leads the team in rushing with 210 carries for 1,303 yards and 15 scores. Nicholas Singleton (123 carries, 549 yards, 13 TD) and Cam Wallace (six carries, 23 yards) have been effective in their attempts as well. Trebor Pena leads the team with 44 receptions for 452 yards and a score on the season. Kyron Hudson (23 grabs, 288 yards, two TD), Devonte Ross (28 catches, 417 yards, five TD) plus tight ends Luke Reynolds (24 receptions, 229 yards) and Khalil Dinkins (14 receptions, 167 yards, two TD) are solid options in the aerial attack as well. Ryan Barker has hit 43 of 44 extra point attempts and 15 of 16 field goal attempts with a long of 49 on the year. Matthew Parker has hit his lone extra point attempt while not attempting a field goal on the season.
Key Injury Report for Penn State:
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- Quarterback Drew Allar (leg) is out for the year.
- Running back Nicholas Singleton (opt-out) is out.
- Defensive lineman Zane Durant (opt-out) is out.
- Safety Zakee Wheatley (opt-out) is out.
- Guard Vega Ioane (opt-out) is out.
- Cornerback AJ Harris (transfer portal) is out.
Tigers Closing Disappointing Campaign
Clemson had a rough season for coach Dabo Swinney though they did finish the regular season on a positive note by beating South Carolina on the road. The Tigers enter this one 7-5 overall and 4-4 in the ACC on the year. Against South Carolina, Clemson broke a 14-14 tie on a 32-yard field goal by Nolan Hauser in the final minute of the first half to take the lead for good. The Tigers blanked the Gamecocks in the second half to earn the victory. Clemson was edged 422-415 in total offense though they owned a 25-17 advantage in first downs and controlled time of possession by a 38:44 to 21:16 margin. The Tigers recorded four takeaways while turning the ball over just once in the game.
This season, Clemson is 22nd in the nation in passing offense (274 yards per game) and 26th in rushing offense with 195.3 yards per contest. The Tigers enter this game ranked 60th in the FBS in scoring offense with 28.7 points per game this season. Clemson is 29th in the nation in scoring defense by allowing 20.4 points per game. Cade Klubnik is the signal caller under center. He is 235 of 353 passing for 2,750 yards with 16 touchdowns against six interceptions while adding 107 rushing yards and four scores on the ground. Christopher Vizzina (45 of 71, 406 yards, four TD, INT, 41 rush yards), Trent Pearman (two of five, 35 yards, one rush yard) and Chris Denson (four of four, 22 yards, TD, 108 rush yards, TD) have each seen action as well. Adam Randall leads the team on the ground with 157 carries for 779 yards and nine scores on the year. Gideon Davidson (56 carries, 249 yards) and Keith Adams Jr. (14 carries, 71 yards, TD) are next in line on the ground. Antonio Williams leads the team with 55 receptions for 604 yards and four scores this season. Bryant Wesco (31 grabs, 537 yards, six TD), Randall (31 catches, 246 yards, three TD), Tristan Smith (22 receptions, 229 yards, TD) and Christian Betancur (18 catches, 186 yards, three TD) are each over 175 receiving yards this season. Nolan Hauser is 37 of 37 on extra point attempts and 16 of 19 on field goal attempts with a long of 50. Quinn Castner is three of three on extra point attempts and has not attempted a field goal this season.
Key Injury Report for Clemson:
- Safety Khalil Barnes (transfer portal) is out.
- Defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart (opt-out) is out.
- Defensive end T.J. Parker (opt-out) is out.
- Defensive tackle Peter Woods (opt-out) is out.
- Wide receiver Antonio Williams (opt-out) is out.
- Cornerback Avieon Terrell (opt-out) is out.
- Linebacker Wade Woodaz is out.
- Guard Collin Sadler is out
- Wide receiver Bryant Wesco (knee) is out.
Penn State vs. Clemson Prediction
Spread Pick for Penn State vs. Clemson
- Clemson -3 (4 units)
We’re looking at a battle of attrition in this contest. Penn State has seen their coaching staff cannibalized, several key contributors opt out and there have been comments from interim coach Terry Smith that some starters may be on limited snap counts, if they play at all. On the flip side, Dabo Swinney said that 27 guys from Clemson’s roster won’t see the field here, including eight who started against South Carolina. With that said, Klubnik is expected to be under center for the Tigers, which gives them a big edge offensively. That’s enough to swing the pendulum in favor of Clemson here.
Over/Under Pick for Penn State vs. Clemson
- Under 49 (4 units)
Penn State has seen the over post an 8-3-1 mark in their 12 games this season. The Nittany Lions have racked up more than 34 points in six of their contests on the year but their offense takes a massive hit without Allar running the show. Clemson has seen the under hit in seven of their 12 games with a posted total this season. The Tigers cracked the 30-point mark just four times this season. With both teams missing a ton of pieces, offense could be hard to come by in this contest. Take the under here as a result as it may not take more than 24 points to win
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