It's Penn State-Rutgers week: Game time, spread, channel, storylines, and more

Penn State finishes the 2025 regular season on Saturday when it takes on Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights and Nittany Lions are both 5-6 and seeking bowl eligibility. The winner will make the postseason and the loser will not.

“The fans were unbelievable again tonight; this is back-to-back Beaver Stadium turnouts from our fans… just incredible support,” interim head coach Terry Smith said after beating Nebraska 37-10 last Saturday. “You know, we all like support. It encourages us [and] it motivates us. It gives us energy and it gave our guys energy tonight. We have a game next week against Rutgers. I want our fans to show up and support these guys as we try to get bowl eligible.”

Our early preview gets you ready to start game week below.

Time and TV info

Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Big Ten Network will televise the game. A broadcast crew is not yet out.

What is the Penn State-Rutgers point spread?

Penn State opened as a 10.5-point favorite at BetMGM. The betting total over/under is 55.5 points.

Game week schedule for the Lions

Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith will kick off game week with a news conference at Noon ET on Monday. You’ll be able to watch it on the Blue-White Illustrated YouTube channel by 12:45 if you click here.

Tuesday will feature player interviews with reporters via Zoom. Wednesday will likely feature some, as well, before a practice viewing availability for the media, followed by Smith and some players speaking in the evening. The radio show will move off of Thursday due to Thanksgiving, but when it will be is TBD.

As for Rutgers, head coach Greg Schiano will speak on Tuesday.

What’s up with the Scarlet Knights?

Rutgers was pummeled 42-9 on Saturday at Ohio State. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis has just a 62 percent completion percentage on the year but does have 2,705 yards through the air in additon to a 17-to-7 TD to INT ratio. Antwan Raymond is the bellcow back with 1,000 yards on the year on 200 carries. No other back has more than 61. Rutgers prefers to run over pass. Defensively, it is one of the worst units in the country against the run, checking in at No. 129 nationally out of 134 teams. It is No. 75 against the pass. And, as noted, both teams are playing for bowl eligibility.

“Circumstance cannot dictate your behavior. Is it exciting that you have a game that if you win you keep playing and if you don’t, ooh, yeah, that’s fun as a competitor,” Schiano said Saturday when asked about that. “You love that. But the preparation, if you let circumstance dictate your behavior, you’re going to have a tough life.

“We have to lock in and focus and get better, and there will be stuff from this game that we can improve on and evaluate what Penn State’s doing and come up with a plan and go practice all week and get ready to go play.”

Here’s where Rutgers ranks in various statistical categories:

Scoring offense: No. 68 (28 points per game)

Rushing/passing offense: Nos. 89 and 37

Scoring defense: No. 115 (31.1 points per game)

Rushing/passing defense: Nos. 129 and 75

Weather report

Per Weather.com, a fine late November day is on tap. The forecast reads: “Sunny along with a few clouds. High 43F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.”

Early Penn State-Rutgers storylines

—Can Rutgers slow down the suddenly potent Penn State rushing attack?

—Will Nick Singleton get the one touchdown he needs to become the Lions’ all-time leader in rushing and career touchdowns?

—Is Penn State going to continue its double-digit win streak and close out the season with three straight wins to clinch bowl eligibility?

–What’s your top storyline to start the week? Tell us inside The Lions Den forum!