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Nevada (0-0-0) at Penn State (0-0-0)
- When: Aug 30 2025, 3:30 PM
- Where: West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
- Where to watch: CBS
- Last Meeting: No previous meeting
Nevada vs (2) Penn State Preview & Prediction
Spread: Penn State -43.5
Moneyline: N/A
Total: 55.0
Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Outlook
Penn State enters the 2025 season with lofty expectations and a clear goal of returning to the College Football Playoff. Coming off a 13-3 campaign that ended in a narrow semifinal loss to Notre Dame, the Nittany Lions boast one of the deepest and most experienced rosters in the country.
Quarterback Drew Allar headlines the offense, looking to bounce back after a late interception cost Penn State in the CFP semifinal. Allar has already cemented himself in the program’s record books, with 53 career touchdowns and over 6,000 passing yards. He’ll once again be supported by one of the best backfield duos in the nation, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Both backs eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards last year and are closing in on Penn State’s all-time rushing record. Against a Nevada defense that ranked 113th against the run, expect them to dominate the ground game.
On defense, Penn State lost stars like Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren but still has plenty of firepower. Zane Durant and Dani Dennis-Sutton provide a strong pass rush, while the overall unit looks more than capable of overwhelming a rebuilding Nevada offense.
Nevada Wolf Pack Betting Outlook
Nevada has struggled in recent years, posting three straight seasons with double-digit losses, but new head coach Jeff Choate has begun the rebuilding process. The Wolf Pack enter this matchup as massive underdogs, looking for any positive momentum against one of the nation’s elite.
Quarterback Chubba Purdy takes the reins after bouncing between Florida State, Nebraska, and now Nevada. While he’s shown flashes, his career numbers, seven touchdowns to eight interceptions illustrate the uphill climb he faces against Penn State’s defense. Protecting him will be critical, but the Wolf Pack’s offensive line and overall roster depth are still a work in progress.
Defensively, Nevada was among the worst in the country against the run last year, giving up nearly 200 yards per game and 31 rushing scores. Facing Singleton and Allen to open the season isn’t exactly a recipe for success. Choate himself admitted Penn State looks like a national championship-caliber team, which underscores the mismatch at hand.
Betting Outlook & Prediction
The line for this matchup is staggering: Penn State -43.5 with the total set at 55.0. Bovada Oddsmakers clearly expect a one-sided affair, with Penn State in complete control from start to finish. The Nittany Lions’ ability to run the ball at will should keep their offense humming, while their defense is more than capable of shutting down an inexperienced Nevada attack.
The only real question is whether Penn State will cover such a massive spread. With depth on both sides of the ball, the Lions are built to dominate all four quarters, even with backups getting significant reps. Nevada, meanwhile, has little in the way of firepower to keep this competitive.
Final Score: Penn State 52, Nevada 7
Lean: Penn State -43.5
Total: Over 55.0 (driven almost entirely by Penn State’s offense)
- NCAA Football Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!