“The pressure’s high. Just to stay alive. Cause the heat is on.”

The smash hit ‘The Heat Is On’ by Glenn Frey could very well be categorized as the Penn State theme song this season, with expectations higher than they have been since the 1999 season.

That 1999 squad featured future No. 1 and No. 2 NFL draft picks Courtney Brown and LaVar Arrington. Just like that 1999 group, the Nittany Lions have returned a ton of talent with NFL pedigree, with a host of players coming back when they could have left for the NFL draft a season ago.

This season also marks the most attention the Nittany Lions have received on the national level in quite some time, as they have been ranked No. 2 in the country in the preseason Associated Press poll.

With just one week until Penn State kicks off its season in Beaver Stadium against Nevada, it’s time for the annual Nittany Lions’ schedule breakdown with predictions for every game. Let’s take a look if Penn State can finally get over the hump in the marquee games this season.

Week 1

August 30 - vs. Nevada

The Nittany Lions are a 44-point favorite against the Wolfpack. Nevada was 3-10 a season ago and it has a lot of turnover to contend with on both sides of the ball.

Prediction: Penn State 59, Nevada 6.

Week 2

Sept. 6 - vs. Florida International

FIU has been 4-8 the past three seasons. The Panthers also will be breaking in a new offensive line unit and return just one starter on defense.

Prediction: Penn State 56, FIU 10.

Week 3

Sept. 13 vs. Villanova

The Wildcats will be one of the best teams in the FCS this season. They should boast a good running game with both tailbacks returning and an experienced offensive line. Villanova also returns eight starters on defense.

Prediction: Penn State 42, Villanova 7.

Week 4

Sept. 27 vs. Oregon

A big one early on for PSU as the Nittany Lions come off their first bye. Oregon is ranked seventh in the preseason AP poll, but the Ducks have a ton of talent to replace. Oregon will be breaking in a new QB, four new starters on the offensive line and there will be a bunch of new faces on the defensive side of the ball as well. The Ducks’ strength will be on the defensive line, which should be one of the best in the country. Oregon will be fast and explosive. PSU should be able to handle the Ducks in the trenches, though, and it should be able to take advantage of the White Out environment.

Prediction: Penn State 34, Oregon 24.

Week 5

Oct. 4 at UCLA

Coming off a 5-7 year, UCLA should be a better squad in 2025 in head coach DeShaun Foster’s second season. The addition of talented quarterback Nico Iamaleava from Tennessee should make the Bruins offense more dynamic. The UCLA defense has been very solid over the past two seasons as well. Still, the Bruins are not physical enough up front to pull off the upset at home.

Prediction: Penn State 38, UCLA 13.

Week 6

Oct. 11 vs. Northwestern

The Wildcats were 4-8 a season ago, but they should be much improved. QB Preston Stone transfers in from SMU and Northwestern has been able to build depth along its offensive line. Defensively, the Wildcats should be improved as well, but the overall team speed and explosiveness still need more firepower.

Prediction: Penn State 37, Northwestern 13.

Week 7

Oct. 18 at Iowa

The Hawkeyes had a solid year in 2024, going 8-5. Iowa will once again be solid, as it looks to continue to get better on the offensive end with South Dakota State QB transfer Mark Gronowski, who led the Jackrabbits to two FCS national titles, entering the fold. The Hawkeyes’ defense does need to replace key players but should be good up front. All in all, it’s about if Iowa can put points on the board. The Kinnick environment will be tough to handle, but the PSU defense will keep the Hawkeyes in check.

Prediction: Penn State 28, Iowa 14.

Week 8

Nov 1 - at Ohio State

Yet again, the Buckeyes are loaded with talent and feature two of the best players in the country in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs. This is also a road game for the Nittany Lions, who haven’t won in the Horseshoe in forever. Where I do think PSU has the advantage is in the trenches. OSU has lost some key pieces on both the offensive and defensive line. The Buckeyes also have question marks at quarterback and running back, albeit with experience not in talent. This matchup all comes down PSU QB Drew Allar. These high-profile games have been the games that he has struggled in during his career. But I think Allar takes that next step.

Prediction: Penn State 27, Ohio State 24.

Week 9

Nov. 8 - vs. Indiana

Indiana earned a college football playoff berth with a historic campaign last season, and the Hoosiers will once again be tough to deal with this season. IU brought in a lot of transfers including talented quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Cal and a host of twitchy running backs. The IU defense will be good again as well with All-American candidates Mikail Kamara, linebacker Aiden Fisher and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds all returning. This game is going to be a very physical one, but the PSU team speed will help them to take down the Hoosiers in State College.

Prediction: Penn State 31, Indiana 21.

Week 10

Nov. 15 - at Michigan State

The Spartans have not qualified for a bowl game since 2021, and they went 5-7 a year ago. MSU should be better this season, but they will need big improvements from the quarterback position and along the offensive line. The Spartans have gone to the transfer portal to try and beef up their talent.

Prediction: Penn State 45, Michigan State 14.

Week 11

Nov. 22 - vs. Nebraska

Nebraska got back to a bowl game last season at 6-6 for the first time since 2016. The Huskers will go as highly touted sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola goes. Nebraska should also be pretty goo along the offensive line, so the recipe is there for improvement. Still, the Huskers need more playmakers before they can take the next step.

Prediction: Penn State 37, Nebraska 17.

Week 12

Nov. 29 - at Rutgers

Rutgers finished 7-5 last season and 4-5 in the Big Ten, which was its best record in conference since joining. QB Athan Kaliakmanis returns after a solid season and should continue to improve. The Scarlet Knights do have some questions up front, but this is a program that is certainly moving in the right direction. Still, it will be hard for Rutgers to compete with the Nittany Lions in the trenches.

Prediction: Penn State 38, Rutgers 10.

So, as you can see, I have the Nittany Lions going 12-0 and being a major contender to win the national championship. The program has looked to push all their chips in by bringing back so many talented and experienced players to make a run at the title. So, even though I will take a lot of heat from Notre Dame fans throughout the Summit Hill region, I’m going to push all my chips in as well, and prognosticate that the Nittany Lions will go undefeated.