The Big Ten has put Penn State’s Nov. 7 trip to Washington on a tight little window, and fans are once again stuck waiting on the final call.
For now, the matchup is slated for either 3:30 or 4:15, with the network still to be determined. Penn State already has a 4:15 kickoff on deck this weekend against Purdue at Beaver Stadium, so if the Washington game lands in that same slot, it would likely be the first time Penn State has played back-to-back games at 4:15 EST.
In that case, Washington’s local start would come at 1:15. If the game shakes out at 3:30, that would be a much more familiar spot for the Nittany Lions.
Across the conference, only three of the eight Big Ten games that weekend have firm kickoff times. Nebraska is set to face Illinois under the lights Friday, Nov. 6 at 8:00 EST. Purdue will host Maryland at 12:30 on Saturday, and Ohio State will host Oregon at 3:30.
That Ohio State-Oregon game had been circled as a major one before the season, with the two teams ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in the preseason. But the shine has worn off some with Oregon sitting at 4-3 and Ohio State playing without star QB Julian Sayin.
The remaining Big Ten games that weekend still don’t have kickoff times: Michigan State at Michigan, UCLA at Minnesota, Iowa at Northwestern and Rutgers at Wisconsin.
Penn State and Washington both opened the year in the AP top 20, with Washington at No. 17 and Penn State just behind at No. 18. Since then, both teams have hit the same rough patch, entering with a combined 7-7 record and 1-7 in Big Ten play.
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Penn State Fans Never Expected A Beaver Stadium Game To Feel Like This
Penn States next trip to Beaver Stadium has taken on an unusual feel, with tickets for the Purdue game showing up at prices that would have seemed unthinkable not long ago. Depending on the vendor, seats are listed starting around $9 to $11, a sign of how differently this matchup is being viewed compared with the kind of marquee fall Saturday that usually brings the place to life.
The backdrop is a Penn State program trying to steady itself in Matt Campbells first year, while Purdue enters with a reminder of how long it has been since the Boilermakers last beat the Nittany Lions, back in 2004. Even with the schedule already stretching into 2026, this one has turned into a strange snapshot of where Penn State stands right now, and how quickly the mood around a game can change when expectations do. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Comes Out Of Its Bye With A Bigger Problem Than Purdue
Penn State comes out of its bye week facing more than just the need to shake off a disappointing loss to USC. The Nittany Lions return to Beaver Stadium for their first home game since that setback, and the matchup with Purdue arrives at a time when the bigger questions are about how this team wants to look and who will define the offense going forward.
The quarterback situation remains at the center of the conversation, but the issues around it reach deeper than one position. Under coach Matt Campbell, Penn State is still trying to settle on an identity, while Purdue enters with some real momentum of its own and an offense that has shown more bite lately. The betting line and ticket availability suggest plenty of interest, but for Penn State the more pressing issue is whether the bye week brought answers or just more time to think about the same ones. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Faces One Big Doubt Despite Purdue Confidence
Penn State heads into its meeting with Purdue carrying a record that has made every remaining Big Ten game feel like a chance to steady the season. The schedule has eased a bit, and the Nittany Lions are still favored by more than a touchdown, but that number comes with plenty of caveats after an offense that has struggled to finish drives and a defense that has not always been able to paper over the issues.
The biggest question is whether the offense can finally turn trips inside the 20 into touchdowns instead of settling for frustration. One potential boost could come from Koby Howard returning to the mix, which gives Penn State another piece to lean on as it tries to find a cleaner rhythm, but the bigger test is whether the Nittany Lions can show they are more than just a heavy favorite with lingering problems. [Read more 🡒]