It has certainly been an interesting 2025 season for the Penn State Nittany Lions football program.

Penn State began the year ranked in the top five, and expectations were high for a team that returned a significant amount of talent from its 13-3 campaign in 2024.

However, a double-overtime loss to Oregon at home in the White Out, followed by back-to-back defeats against UCLA and Northwestern, brought an end to the James Franklin era in State College. Since then, interim head coach Terry Smith has done a solid job rallying the program.

After tough losses to Iowa and Ohio State — along with a near upset of top-ranked Indiana — the Nittany Lions enter the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl riding a three-game winning streak. Penn State will look to make it four straight when it faces Clemson later this afternoon (noon ET, ABC).

As of Friday night, Penn State will be without several key players for its matchup with the Tigers. Numerous players have announced their intention to enter the transfer portal, while others have declared for the NFL draft.

Penn State will be without Alex Birchmeier, Chaz Coleman, Zane Durant, Zuriah Fisher, A.J. Harris, Vega Ioane, Kari Jackson, Daniel Jennings, Nick Singleton, Alex Tatsch (injury), Elliot Washington II, Zakee Wheatley, Nick Dawkins, Khalil Dinkins, Nolan Rucci and Drew Shelton.

As that list shows, the offensive line will be a major storyline. Several starting linemen are unavailable, making the performance of Penn State’s reserves a key factor. Players such as Anthony Donkoh, Cooper Cousins and TJ Shanahan Jr. will need to step up in a big way in the trenches.

The same concerns apply defensively. With standouts like Durant, Fisher and Coleman unavailable, depth up front will be tested. Although defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton is expected to dress, it would not be surprising if his snaps are limited. That places added responsibility on younger players such as Xavier Gilliam, Yvan Kemajou, Jaylen Harvey and Ty Blanding, along with veteran Alonzo Ford.

Clemson also enters the Pinstripe Bowl with a lengthy list of absences. The Tigers are missing roughly 30 players due to a combination of opt-outs and injuries. Clemson will be without defensive standouts T.J. Parker, Peter Woods, DeMonte Capehart and Avieon Terrell, which could create opportunities for Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer and the offense — provided the reshuffled offensive line can protect him.

Grunkemeyer’s development has been one of the more intriguing storylines late in the season. There has been considerable speculation regarding Penn State’s quarterback situation heading into next year, but Grunkemeyer has shown steady improvement with each outing.

New Penn State head coach Matt Campbell recruited Grunkemeyer heavily during his time at Iowa State. Since taking over for the injured Drew Allar, Grunkemeyer has completed 100 of 144 passes (69.4%) for 1,079 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions.

That quarterback conversation became more interesting when Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht entered the transfer portal. Becht, who played for Campbell at ISU, has been the Cyclones’ starter for the past three seasons. A redshirt senior, Becht has thrown for 9,274 yards with 64 touchdowns and 27 interceptions during his career and is known for his mobility and ability to extend plays.

In my opinion, either Grunkemeyer or Becht would be a solid option at quarterback for Penn State next season. The ideal scenario would be Becht transferring in with Grunkemeyer remaining as the backup, but in the current transfer portal landscape, that may be difficult to sustain.

As for this matchup, the number of personnel changes makes it challenging to predict how either team will look. With so many regular contributors unavailable, this game figures to unfold differently than a typical bowl matchup.

One key priority for Penn State will be applying pressure on Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik. A Heisman Trophy candidate entering the season, Klubnik hasn’t quite met those expectations, but he has still produced solid numbers. He has completed 235 of 353 passes (66.6%) for 2,750 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Clemson wide receiver T.J. Moore is expected to play. Moore has 46 receptions for 754 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Adam Randall is also available and has rushed for 779 yards and nine touchdowns. With its top offensive players on the field, Clemson will expect to move the ball.

This game has the potential to turn into a shootout. Both defenses are missing key pieces, which should create scoring opportunities. All of Penn State’s receivers are expected to play, and running back Kaytron Allen is also dressing. Like Dennis-Sutton, Allen could be on a snap count, opening the door for Cam Wallace, Corey Smith, Quinton Martin and Tikey Hayes to see carries.

Las Vegas lists Penn State as a 2.5-point underdog.

Turnovers figure to be the deciding factor. Whichever quarterback protects the football more effectively should give his team the best chance to win.

I’m expecting a big day from Grunkemeyer.

My pick: Penn State 38, Clemson 34.