Follow along as The Daily Nebraskan’s sports senior staff makes their predictions for every Nebraska football game this fall.
A rolling tally will be kept throughout 2025, with the best record crowned at the end of the season.
Anthony Rubek, senior sports editor: Penn State 24, Nebraska 20
Nebraska has the chance to earn its eighth win for the first time since 2016, but will be overpowered by a Penn State team better than its record.
The Nittany Lions have a one-two punch at running back with Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton each posing as a threat. The Huskers have not stopped the run all season, with Saturday being no different. While Ethan Grunkemeyer leaves a lot to be desired at quarterback, the Blackshirts will have to do more than just shutting down the pass.
Emmett Johnson will get his yards and make an impact, but the rest of Nebraska’s offense faces a challenge against Jim Knowles’ defense. While TJ Lateef performed well in his homecoming at UCLA, I worry about how he will handle the cold weather in State College.
The Huskers play Penn State close, but it is ultimately not enough.
Ben Beecham, assistant sports editor: Penn State 31, Nebraska 17
Temper expectations for this week. Penn State might be struggling, and Nebraska may be coming off a big win over UCLA, but the Huskers are outmatched.
The Nittany Lions have the answers on both sides of the ball. Their front-seven has ravaged better offensive lines, and Nebraska doesn’t have the line to hold up. And if UCLA can torch the Huskers on the ground, then Allen and Singleton can.
Lateef also shown that he can handle a real Big Ten defense. The Bruins didn’t have that, or a hostile environment to challenge him. Now he has to face a much more challenging defense against one of the best home field advantages in college football.
A loss won’t be disparaging, though. The Nittany Lions just took arguably the best team in the country, Indiana, down to the wire.
Ben Beecham, assistant sports editor: Penn State 31, Nebraska 17
The Huskers are back on the road after another bye week. This time, it won’t be a scarlet and cream takeover in the stands. Penn State is calling for a whiteout, which will be difficult for a true freshman quarterback to deal with, especially in his second career start.
Don’t look too deep into the Nittany Lions’ record. Interim head coach Terry Smith’s squad has played down to the wire against some of the top teams in the nation. Despite the 4-6 start, the team has a +93 point differential.
Penn State has NFL talent on both sides of the ball. Running back duo Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen will be a lot for the Blackshirts to handle. On the other side of the ball, Dani Dennis-Sutton poses a huge threat.
It has become apparent that opponents don’t need a stellar pass game to score against Nebraska. In order for the Huskers to have a chance on Saturday night, the offense will need to find a way to sustain drives and get points on the board, because the Nittany Lions’ offense will be ready to go.
My hot take: Allen and Singleton combine for 200+ rushing yards.
Bobby Schneider, senior sports reporter: Nebraska 27, Penn State 21
Nebraska appeared to face a daunting challenge heading to State College in November during the preseason. But Penn State’s (4-6, 1-6) collapse makes this a winnable game for the Huskers.
Led by the two stars of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, I guarantee the Nittany Lions’ tailbacks combine for at least 150 yards on the ground. However, their quarterback, Ethan Grunkemeyer, is nothing special. Hence, I predict that the Blackshirts’ secondary will exploit him.
Offensively, I’m calling for Johnson – a Doak Walker Award finalist – to post another 200+ all-purpose yard performance. Meanwhile, Lateef does enough improvising with his legs to minimize the ferocious pass rush led by Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant.
While Penn State has more star power on its roster and took No. 2 Indiana to the final minute, Rhule will have his team ready for a fist-fight against his alma mater.
Standings
1. Alex Berry 9-1 (+/- 148)
2. Ben Beecham 9-1 (+/- 160)
3. Anthony Rubek 9-1 (+/- 172)
4. Bobby Schneider 8-2 (+/- 156)