A few months ago, both Clemson and Penn State were eyeing the College Football Playoff. Fast forward to December, and instead of playing for a national title, they're gearing up for a postseason clash in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. This isn’t the stage either program envisioned back in August, but it’s a chance to end the year on a high note - and for both teams, that means something.
Clemson comes in riding a four-game win streak, salvaging a season that at one point looked like it might slip away. The Tigers clawed their way to a 7-5 finish, showing flashes of the form that’s made them a national power under Dabo Swinney. On the other side, Penn State had to grind out three straight wins just to get bowl eligible at 6-6, pushing through a turbulent season to earn a shot at redemption in the Bronx.
For interim head coach Terry Smith, who stepped in following the coaching transition, this game is more than just a finale - it’s a momentum-builder. “As ultimate competitors, the goal is always to win,” Smith said during a recent press conference.
“The momentum of a victory helps your offseason workouts, your spring ball, and how you approach next season.” And he’s not wrong.
Bowl wins don’t just cap a season - they launch the next one.
Smith, a former Nittany Lion himself, has been at the helm for the past seven weeks. He called this stretch “the greatest seven weeks of my coaching career,” a sentiment that speaks to the pride and pressure of leading his alma mater. His journey has come full circle - from player in the 1988 Citrus Bowl (a 35-10 loss to Clemson) to assistant coach in the 2014 Pinstripe Bowl win over Boston College, and now as interim head coach for PSU’s return to Yankee Stadium.
This will be Clemson’s first appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl, and they’ll arrive as the betting favorite - 3.5 points on Caesars Sportsbook as of Monday afternoon. The moneyline has Clemson at -170 and Penn State at +143, with the over/under set at 48.5 points.
Dabo Swinney, now in his 18th season and already with two national championships to his name, continues to command respect across the college football landscape. Smith praised Swinney’s consistency and leadership, especially in an era where the sport is constantly shifting.
“He does it the right way,” Smith said. “He’s one of the ones that has set the standard.”
From a betting trends perspective, both teams are finishing strong. Clemson started the year 0-4 against the spread and was 2-6 at one point, but turned things around late, covering in three of their last four - including a 28-14 win over South Carolina as a 2.5-point underdog.
Penn State, meanwhile, began the year 0-6 against the spread but went 4-2 in that category under Smith. Their most recent outing?
A narrow 4-point win over Rutgers despite being a 13.5-point favorite.
As for totals, Penn State games have leaned toward high-scoring affairs - the over hit in eight of their 12 regular-season matchups, and five of six games under Smith. Clemson’s defense has kept things tighter, with the under hitting in three of their last four and seven times overall this season.
Both squads will be without some key contributors due to opt-outs and NFL Draft declarations. For Penn State, that includes defensive tackle Zane Durant, offensive guard Vega Ioane, running back Nick Singleton, and safety Zakee Wheatley.
Clemson will be missing cornerback Avieon Terrell, defensive tackle Peter Woods, and edge rusher T.J. Parker - all of whom have declared for the draft.
Kickoff is set for noon ET on December 27 at Yankee Stadium. It may not be the playoff, but for two proud programs looking to end the season with a statement, the Pinstripe Bowl offers one more shot to get it right.