Penn State hosts Northwestern today in its 105th homecoming game.
The Nittany Lions have won 75 of their previous 104 homecoming contests and 16 of their last 19.
A 76th homcoming triumph is not guaranteed.
A couple weeks back, James Franklin’s team was ranked No. 3 in the country and led unbeaten Oregon by a touchdown in overtime.
Since then? Nothing has gone right for PSU.
PENN STATE (3-2, 0-2) vs. NORTHWESTERN (3-2, 1-1)
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. today at Beaver Stadium in State College.
TV: Fox Sports 1 (Connor Onion and Mark Helfrich).
Radio: Penn State Radio Network (Steve Jones, Jack Ham and Brian Tripp).
Web: GoPSUSports.com.
Blue-White Breakdown podcasts: Former columnist David Jones has his say on Penn State’s recent failures; What happened to Penn State’s defense vs. UCLA?
Recommended PSU reads: James Franklin says “I believe in myself” after tough start to 2025 season; Promising Penn State freshman absent from pre-Northwestern practice; Does Penn State lack mental toughness? Can PSU run a Big Ten gauntlet, get back to postseason?
Series: Penn State leads 16-5.
Spread: Oddsmakers favor Penn State by 21.5. The total is 48.5.
Last week: Penn State lost 42-37 to UCLA at the Rose Bowl; Northwestern defeated Louisiana-Monroe 42-7 in Evanston.
Last meeting between the two teams: Penn State beat Northwestern 41-13 in Evanston in 2023.
Key matchup: Penn State’s linebackers vs. Northwestern running back Caleb Komolafe.
PSU injuries of note: LB Tony Rojas and DE Max Granville are out indefinitely.
Did you know? UCLA’s 42-37 upset of Penn State last week ended the Lions’ streak of 34 consecutive wins vs. teams not ranked in the Associated Press Poll.
He said it: “I know he’s getting a lot of criticism, and nobody really knows what he’s going through, other than him. I’m excited to go out there and play another game for him, because, again, there’s no other coach in the country that I’d rather be going out there for on Saturday.” – Penn State QB Drew Allaron James Franklin.