The 2025 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl features the Penn State Nittany Lions (Big Ten) against the Clemson Tigers (ACC) in a matchup of two programs wrapping up underwhelming seasons. Penn State limps in at 6-6 after a turbulent year marked by coaching changes and injuries, while Clemson enters at 7-5, seeking to build momentum despite opt-outs and inconsistencies. This is only the second meeting between the teams, with Clemson holding the historical edge. Below is a detailed preview covering all aspects.
Venue Location
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York. This MLB ballpark, home to the New York Yankees, hosts the bowl annually and offers an outdoor setting with a capacity of about 46,537 for football.
Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. CT). The game will be televised on ABC and streamed on ESPN platforms.
Note: While the query references December 25, all official sources confirm December 27.
Weather Forecast
As an outdoor game, expect chilly conditions typical of late December in New York. Forecasts for December 27, 2025, predict highs around 38-48°F with lows in the 27-37°F range, partly cloudy skies, and a 20-40% chance of light rain or flurries. Winds could reach 7-10 mph, potentially affecting passing and kicking—favoring a ground-heavy game plan.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with significant absences due to injuries, opt-outs, and transfers, impacting depth especially in this non-playoff bowl.
- Penn State Nittany Lions: Quarterback Drew Allar is out for the season with an undisclosed injury, forcing backups like Beau Pribula or Ethan Grunkemeyer into action. Freshman linebacker Alex Tatsch is sidelined with an injury sustained in bowl prep. Linebacker J. Pryts is questionable (undisclosed), and defensive end Jordan Mayer, wide receiver Kaden Saunders, and defensive tackle Kaleb Artis are on the report—statuses uncertain. Opt-outs include key defenders like Abdul Carter and running back Nicholas Singleton, thinning the roster further.
- Clemson Tigers: Quarterback Cade Klubnik is managing a thumb injury but expected to play, though limited practice could affect performance. Linebacker Wade Woodaz and offensive lineman Collin Sadler are out for the bowl. Wide receiver John Anthony Wesco Jr. is sidelined with a head injury (season-ending), and defensive tackle Stephiylan Green is out (shoulder). Running back Jay Haynes and edge rusher Jahiem Lawson are also unavailable, with opt-outs including running back Phil Mafah and defensive lineman Peter Woods.
Key Player Matchups
With injuries and opt-outs, this game will spotlight emerging talents and backups. Penn State’s makeshift offense faces Clemson’s opportunistic defense, while Clemson’s ground game tests the Nittany Lions’ front.
- PSU QB Ethan Grunkemeyer (or Beau Pribula) vs. CLEM LB Sammy Brown: With Allar out, the young QB steps in against Brown, a sophomore standout with tackle-for-loss potential—could force turnovers if Grunkemeyer struggles.
- CLEM QB Cade Klubnik vs. PSU S Zakee Wheatley: Klubnik’s dual-threat ability (over 2,800 passing yards) meets Wheatley, Penn State’s interception leader in a depleted secondary.
- PSU RB Quinton Martin vs. CLEM DL T.J. Parker: Martin emerges as the lead back post-opt-outs, facing Parker’s pass-rush prowess (top-50 nationally in sacks).
- CLEM WR Antonio Williams vs. PSU CB A.J. Harris: Williams’ route-running could exploit Harris in man coverage, especially if Klubnik’s thumb holds up.
Other notables: PSU DE Dani Dennis-Sutton vs. CLEM OL, where Dennis-Sutton’s edge pressure could disrupt drives.
Recent Team Forms
- Penn State Nittany Lions (6-6, 3-6 Big Ten): The Nittany Lions started 3-0 with wins over Nevada, Villanova, and others but faltered in conference play, losing six of nine including to Ohio State (38-14) and Iowa (25-24). They averaged 28 points in wins but struggled defensively in losses, allowing 30+. Recent form: Lost 4 of last 5, with a narrow win over Indiana (27-24).
- Clemson Tigers (7-5, 4-4 ACC): Clemson opened 2-1 with a loss to LSU (17-10) but rebounded with wins over Troy (27-16) and Florida State (24-10). They dropped close games to SMU (35-24) and Duke (46-45). Offense averaged 32 points in victories, but defense was inconsistent. Recent form: Won 3 of last 5, including a strong finish against rivals.
Conference vs Conference
Big Ten vs. ACC. The ACC holds a slight historical edge with an 82-111-2 all-time record against Big Ten teams, though recent non-conference games show Big Ten dominance (e.g., 2-1 in 2025 inter-conference tilts). Big Ten squads emphasize physicality, while ACC teams often rely on speed.
Series History
The teams have met once, in the 1988 Citrus Bowl, where Clemson defeated Penn State 35-10. No other matchups exist, making this a rare clash.
Betting Trends
- Penn State: 4-8 ATS overall; 2-4 ATS as underdogs; 8-3-1 O/U, trending over in high-total games but unders in cold weather (4 of last 5). Strong in bowls historically (5-3 ATS in last 8).
- Clemson: 6-6 ATS; 5-1 ATS as favorites of 3+ points; 7-5 O/U. Covers in neutral sites (4-2 ATS last 6) but struggles covering small spreads late in season.
- Game-Specific: Public leaning Clemson, but sharps on Penn State +3 amid opt-outs; unders have hit in 6 of last 8 Pinstripe Bowls due to weather.
Historical Betting Results
The Pinstripe Bowl (since 2010) has seen favorites go 7-7 ATS, with overs hitting in 8 of 14 games. Largest margin: +44 (Maryland 54-10 over Virginia Tech, 2021). Big Ten teams are 5-3 ATS in this bowl (e.g., Iowa -3 covered in 2017), while ACC squads are 2-4. Recent trends favor unders (6 of last 8), with weather often a factor.
Game Odds
Penn State Nittany Lions 48.5U
Clemson Tigers – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, December 25, 2025
