Nevada vs Penn State Showdown 2025: Kickoff Time, Key Players, Odds & Where to Stream Live

NEVADA VS. PENN STATE PREVIEW The 2025 college football season kicks off in Happy Valley as the No. 2 Penn State Nittany Lions welcome the Nevada Wolf Pack to Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET, with national television coverage on CBS and streaming via Paramount+ and the CBS Sports app. WHY THIS MATCHUP MATTERS • Playoff Aspirations: Penn State enters 2025 with legitimate College Football Playoff hopes after finishing 12-2 last year and returning star quarterback Drew Allar, a veteran offensive line, and a defense ranked top-10 nationally. • Fresh Start for Nevada: The Wolf Pack look to rebound from a 3-9 campaign and will lean on dual-threat QB Brendon Lewis and a revamped secondary to slow Penn State’s tempo. • Statement Opportunity: A marquee Week 1 win—or at least a competitive showing—could set the tone for each team’s entire season. HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN Date: Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 Time: 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT TV: CBS Streaming: Paramount+, CBS Sports app, CBSSports.com Radio: Penn State Sports Network, Nevada Sports Network BETTING ODDS & SPREAD Sportsbooks list Penn State as a heavy 44.5-point favorite with an over/under hovering around 56 total points. The moneyline sits near PSU ‑10000 / NEV +2500, reflecting the talent gap but also offering potential value for Nevada backers expecting a cover. Wager responsibly. KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH Penn State • QB Drew Allar – The junior’s accuracy on intermediate throws powers OC Andy Kotelnicki’s balanced attack. • RBs Nicholas Singleton & Kaytron Allen – Thunder-and-lightning duo averaged 5.6 YPC in 2024. • LB Abdul Carter – Edge-rushing dynamo who recorded 9.5 sacks last season. Nevada • QB Brendon Lewis – Needs a clean pocket to exploit PSU’s secondary with his legs and timely deep shots. • WR Jamaal Bell – Reliable target in the slot; averaged 13.2 YPR. • CB Isaiah Essissima – Top cover corner tasked with slowing PSU’s KeAndre Lambert-Smith. MATCHUP BREAKDOWN Offense vs. Defense: Penn State’s no-huddle attack averaged 38.7 PPG a year ago, while Nevada surrendered 33.5 PPG. If the Wolf Pack can’t generate early stops, tempo could snowball quickly in front of 107,000 fans. Trenches: PSU’s veteran O-line (four starters back) faces a Nevada front that recorded just 18 sacks last season. Protection wins should allow Allar to push the ball vertically. Special Teams: Penn State boasts All-Big Ten punter Alex Bacchetta and kicker Alex Felkins (22-of-25 FGs), giving the Lions a hidden-yardage edge. PREDICTION Nevada will empty the playbook and keep it interesting early, but Penn State’s depth and speed should take over by halftime. Expect Allar to surpass 275 passing yards and the running game to eclipse 200 on the ground. Penn State 52, Nevada 10 SEO KEYWORDS: Nevada vs Penn State live stream, Penn State Nevada channel, Penn State Nevada odds, Nevada Wolf Pack vs Penn State Nittany Lions, college football Week 1, Beaver Stadium kickoff, Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton.