The final Big Ten regular-season tilt of 2025 pits the fading Penn State Nittany Lions (5-6, 2-6 Big Ten) against the equally disappointing Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-6, 0-4 Big Ten) at SHI Stadium. Penn State, reeling from a “historic collapse” under James Franklin, desperately seeks a bowl-clinching win after six straight losses, including a 38-14 rout at Ohio State and a 27-24 heartbreaker to Indiana. Rutgers, Greg Schiano’s injury-plagued squad, hosts with pride on the line after a 3-4 start devolved into four conference defeats, capped by a 31-13 loss to an unranked foe. The Nittany Lions’ depleted backfield (QB Drew Allar out for season) tests Rutgers’ opportunistic secondary (top-40 TOs), but the Knights’ own depth issues could invite Penn State’s ground game—expect Piscataway passion, Scarlet pride, and a sloppy, low-scoring affair with nothing but bragging rights at stake.
Venue Location
The game takes place at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. This 55,236-seat Big Ten outpost, opened in 1994 and renovated in 2018, is Rutgers’ home since 1998 and known for its raucous “Cane’s Riverfront” tailgates and student section energy. It’s Penn State’s first trip to Piscataway since 1955 (last six “home” games at Meadowlands), ensuring a hostile, near-capacity crowd—Rutgers holds a 0-5 home record in the series.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: Big Ten Network (BTN; primary), with streaming on BTN app and Fubo. Radio: Penn State’s 1270 AM (Nittany Lions Sports Network); Rutgers’ 880 AM (Scarlet Knights Radio Network).
Weather Updates
Piscataway’s late-November forecast calls for clear, chilly conditions suiting a defensive battle. Expect sunny skies with a high of 44°F (7°C) and a low around 28°F (-2°C). Winds: Light 5-10 mph from the northwest, with 0% chance of precipitation. Crisp and dry—natural grass field firm and fast, favoring Penn State’s run-heavy identity, though dropping temps post-sunset may slow passing arms.
Injury Report
Both squads are battered, with Penn State’s QB crisis and Rutgers’ depth decimation headlining reports. Updates as of November 28.
Penn State Nittany Lions:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Drew Allar | QB | Out (Season) | Ankle (Week 7 vs. Northwestern; season-ending) | Star signal-caller (2,500+ yds, 18 TDs); forces backup Jaxon Smolik (questionable, arm/hand/wrist) or Bekkem Kritza—Nittany Lions 1-4 without Allar, offense ranks 110th scoring (22 PPG). |
| Aaron Nagao | QB | Out | Undisclosed (Black Knight Invitational; recent) | Backup depth; compounds QB woes amid collapse. |
| C. Smith | RB | Questionable | Undisclosed (Nov. 22 vs. Nebraska) | Rotational back (400 yds); thins ground game (top-40 rush YPG). |
| Kaleb Artis | DT | Out | Undisclosed | Defensive tackle; front seven shuffled (team 60th vs. rush). |
| Kaden Saunders | WR | Out | Undisclosed | Slot receiver (25 rec); limits passing options. |
| Jordan Mayer | DE | Out | Undisclosed | Edge rusher (3 sacks); weakens pass rush (90th nationally). |
| Tony Rojas | LB | Out | Undisclosed | Tackler (30 stops); strains LB core. |
Overall: 10+ players sidelined; Franklin called it “a pretty good place health-wise” sarcastically, with QB room in flux.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Al-Shadee Salaam | DB | Out | Undisclosed (ongoing) | Safety (3 INTs); secondary ranks 75th pass D—freshmen filling gaps. |
| Dane Pardridge | WR | Out | Undisclosed | Depth receiver; limits targets amid 100th passing. |
| Ben Rothhaar | TE | Out | Undisclosed | Pass-catcher (20 rec); hurts red-zone efficiency. |
| Vernon Allen | WR | Out | Undisclosed | Slot speed (15 rec); thins WR corps. |
| Davoun Fuse | S | Out | Undisclosed (first eight games) | Starting safety; back end vulnerable (team allows 240 pass yds/game). |
| Campbell Jr. | Various | Out (Season) | Undisclosed | Depth piece; contributes to injury-riddled year (9 players missed 3+ games). |
Overall: 10+ on report; Schiano lamented “so many injuries for 2nd straight year,” with secondary and skills hit hardest.
Player Matchups
Penn State’s resilience (top-60 SP+ defense) edges Rutgers’ grit (top-80 offense). Injuries tilt chaos; keys:
Penn State QB (Smolik/Kritza) vs. Rutgers Secondary (Salaam out): Backup’s inexperience (Smolik 55% comp.) tests banged-up DBs (top-40 TOs but 75th efficiency). Edge: Rutgers—Knights 3-2 forcing 2+ TOs; Nittany Lions 1-5 with 3+ giveaways.
Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis vs. Penn State Pass Rush: Kaliakmanis’ arm (2,200 yds, 15 TDs) carves zones. Nittany Lions’ edges (Mayer out, but top-50 sacks) pressure 25% dropbacks. Edge: Penn State—Rutgers 2-4 sacked 3+ times.
Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton vs. Rutgers Front Seven: Singleton’s burst (1,000 yds, 10 TDs) exploits gaps. Knights middling (105th run D). Edge: Singleton—Penn State 4-1 with 150+ rush yds.
Rutgers WR (post-Pardridge/Allen) vs. Penn State CBs: Boundary targets (est. 900 yds) work underneath. Nittany Lions’ secondary bends (60th passer rating). Edge: Rutgers—Knights 3-2 when WRs hit 150+ yds.
Recent Team Forms
Penn State Nittany Lions: Franklin’s squad imploded with a 27-24 L to Indiana (Nov. 8), extending skid from OSU (38-14), Iowa (25-24)—Allar’s injury sparked “historic collapse.” Offense sputtered (22 PPG last 3), D opportunistic (12 TOs). Morale: Bowl desperation—1-4 ATS road.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Schiano’s Knights fell 31-13 to an unranked foe (Nov. 23), scoring 20 PPG in slide amid injuries. Balanced but fading (24 PPG), D gritty (top-40 scoring). Morale: Home pride—3-2 SU at SHI.
Series History
The Nittany Lions-Rutgers rivalry dates to 1918, with Penn State owning dominance. All-time: Penn State leads 32-2 (29-2 post-1918 Rutgers W). Last 10: Penn State 8-2, avg. margin 27 pts (won last 8 straight). At SHI: Rutgers 0-5. Iconic: 2014’s 13-10 Penn State squeaker; Rutgers’ 1918 17-0 upset.
| Year | Winner | Score | Notes |
| 2023 | Penn State | 31-7 | Dominant road win |
| 2022 | Penn State | 55-15 | Blowout |
| 2021 | Penn State | 20-10 | Defensive battle |
| 2020 | Penn State | 23-7 | COVID-era |
| 2019 | Penn State | 28-0 | Shutout |
Betting Trends
Penn State: 6-5 ATS (54.5%); 1-2 ATS as -599 faves (33.3%). 5-6 O/U; overs in 4/6 road. 9-2 SU as heavy fave (81.8%). Vs. Rutgers: 8-0 SU last 8, 5-3 ATS.
Rutgers: 4-7 ATS (36.4%); 2-3 ATS as 13+ dogs. 6-5 O/U; overs in 3/5 home. 2-9 SU as underdog (18.2%). Series: 0-8 SU last 8, 3-5 ATS home.
Series Trends: Favorite covers 8/10; overs 6/10 (avg. 48 pts). Road teams 5-3 SU recent; Penn State 8-0 SU last 8 tilts. Advanced: FPI gives Penn State 86% win prob. Penn State top-60 offensive SP+; Rutgers 110th overall.
Game Odds
Penn State Nittany Lions – 13.5
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 55.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
