Clemson football closes out its 2025 season today with a trip to the Bronx, where the Tigers are set to face Penn State in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon ET, and yes, there’s snow in the forecast - a fitting backdrop for two programs that started the year with playoff dreams but found themselves navigating very different kinds of turbulence.
Let’s set the stage.
Two Teams, One Redemption Arc
Clemson (7-5) comes into this one riding high. After a rocky start that saw them drop four of their first six games, the Tigers have ripped off four straight wins to close out the regular season. That late-season surge didn’t just salvage bowl eligibility - it gave this group something to build on heading into 2026.
Penn State (6-6), meanwhile, had its own share of adversity. The Nittany Lions were once considered a dark horse in the national title race, but a brutal September stretch, a midseason coaching change after James Franklin was let go, and a season-ending injury to quarterback Drew Allar left them scrambling. To their credit, they strung together three straight wins to finish the year and earn a postseason berth.
So, while neither team is where it hoped to be back in August, both enter Yankee Stadium today with a shot to end the season on a high note.
Weather Watch: Snow in the Bronx?
Snow is expected in New York City through the morning, and while it’s unclear whether it’ll still be falling at kickoff, field conditions could be a factor - especially for two teams that don’t often play in wintry weather. Keep an eye on the footing, especially in the early going.
How to Watch
- Channel: ABC (national broadcast)
- Streaming: FUBO (free trial available for new users)
- Announcers: Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), Taylor McGregor (sideline)
Kickoff Time
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 27
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Location: Yankee Stadium, New York City
What to Expect on the Field
Clemson enters the game as a 2.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM, with the over/under set at 47.5. The Tigers are expected to be without several key defensive players, but the offense has found its rhythm lately - and that could be the difference.
Look for Clemson to lean heavily on its run game. The offensive line has been more consistent down the stretch, and with Cade Klubnik under center, the Tigers have shown they can sustain drives and finish in the red zone. Don’t be surprised if Klubnik is asked to make a few big throws late - he’s been steady in crunch time, and there’s confidence in his ability to lead a game-winning drive if needed.
On the other side, Penn State’s offense is a bit of a question mark without Allar. They’ve managed to stay competitive with a more conservative game plan, but against a Clemson defense that’s still physical up front, the Nittany Lions will need to find ways to create explosive plays - something that’s been hard to come by in recent weeks.
The X-factor? Turnovers. If Clemson’s defense can force one in the closing moments - as they’ve done in key spots during their win streak - it could seal a fifth straight victory and send the Tigers into the offseason with real momentum.
Betting Lines (via BetMGM, as of Dec. 26)
- Spread: Clemson -2.5
- Over/Under: 47.5
- Moneyline: Clemson -140, Penn State +115
Clemson’s 2025 Season Recap
Let’s take a quick look back at how the Tigers got here:
- Aug. 30: vs. LSU - L, 17-10
- Sept. 6: vs. Troy - W, 27-16
- Sept. 13: at Georgia Tech - L, 24-21
- Sept. 20: vs.
Syracuse - L, 34-21
- Oct. 4: at UNC - W, 38-10
- Oct. 11: at Boston College - W, 41-10
- Oct. 18: vs.
SMU - L, 35-24
- Nov. 1: vs.
Duke - L, 46-45
- Nov. 8: vs.
Florida State - W, 24-10
- Nov. 14: at Louisville - W, 20-19
- Nov. 22: vs. Furman - W, 45-10
- Nov. 29: at South Carolina - W, 28-14
- Dec. 27: vs.
Penn State - Pinstripe Bowl, Noon ET on ABC
Final Thought
This isn’t the postseason either team envisioned, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing on the line. For Clemson, it’s about proving the second half of the season wasn’t a fluke.
For Penn State, it’s a chance to show resilience in the face of adversity. And for both, it’s the last chance to end 2025 with a win.
Bundle up - it’s bowl season in the Bronx.