Penn State football’s 2025 opponents at a glance

Nevada Wolf Pack

Last season: 0-7 Mountain West (12th), 3-10.Coach: Jeff Choate, second season.Last conference title: 2010 (WAC).Last bowl appearance: 2021.Returning starters: 6 (four offense, two defense).Player to watch: WR Marcus Bellon.

FIU Panthers

Last season: 3-5 Conference USA (tied for sixth), 4-8.Coach: Willie Simmons, first season.Last conference title: 2010 (Sun Belt).Last bowl appearance: 2019.Returning starters: 6 (three offense, three defense).Player to watch: RB Kejon Owens.

Villanova Wildcats

Last season: 6-2 Colonial Athletic Association (fourth), 10-4.Coach: Mark Ferrante, ninth season, 57-33.Last conference title: 2023 (CAA).Last time didn’t make FCS playoffs: 2022.Returning starters: 13 (seven offense, six defense).Player to watch: QB Connor Watkins.

Oregon Ducks

Last season: 9-0 Big Ten (first), 13-1.Coach: Dan Lanning, fourth season, 35-6.Last conference title: 2024.Last time didn’t go bowling: 2016.Returning starters: 15 (eight offense, six defense, kicker).Player to watch: RB Makhi Hughes.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava transferred from Tennessee to UCLA after last season. The Bruins host the Nittany Lions on Oct. 4 (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)

UCLA Bruins

Last season: 3-6 Big Ten (tied for 12th), 5-7.Coach: DeShaun Foster, second season.Last conference title: 1995 (Pac-10).Last bowl appearance: 2023.Returning starters: 11 (five offense, six defense).Player to watch: QB Nico Iamaleava.

Northwestern Wildcats

Last season: 2-7 Big Ten (16th), 4-8.Coach: David Braun, third season, 12-13.Last conference title: 2000.Last bowl appearance: 2023.Returning starters: 11 (three offense, six defense, kicker, punter).Player to watch: QB Preston Stone.

Iowa Hawkeyes

Last season: 6-3 Big Ten (tied for fifth), 8-5.Coach: Kirk Ferentz, 27th year, 204-124.Last conference title: 2004.Last time didn’t go bowling: 2020.Returning starters: 12 (five offense, five defense, kicker, punter).Player to watch: QB Mark Gronowski.

Jeremiah Smith is one of the many weapons at the defending national champion Ohio State has this season. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Ohio State Buckeyes

Last season: 7-2 Big Ten (fourth), 14-2.Coach: Ryan Day, seventh season, 70-10.Last conference title: 2020.Last time didn’t go bowling: 2012.Returning starters: 10 (five offense, three defense, kicker, punter).Player to watch: WR Jeremiah Smith.

Indiana Hoosiers

Last season: 8-1 Big Ten (tied for second), 11-2.Coach: Curt Cignetti, second season.Last conference title: 1967.Last time didn’t go bowling: 2023.Returning starters: 9 (four offense, four defense, kicker).Player to watch: QB Fernando Mendoza.

Michigan State Spartans

Last season: 3-6 Big Ten (tied for 12th), 5-7.Coach: Jonathan Smith, second season.Last conference title: 2015.Last bowl appearance: 2021.Returning starters: 9 (four offense, four defense, punter).Player to watch: TE Jack Velling.

Quarterback Dylan Raiola is the leader of the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ offense. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz, File)

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Last season: 3-6 Big Ten (tied for 12th), 7-6.Coach: Matt Rhule, third season, 12-13.Last conference title: 1999 (Big 12).Last time didn’t go bowling: 2023.Returning starters: 8 (four offense, four defense).Player to watch: QB Dylan Raiola.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Last season: 4-5 Big Ten (10th), 7-6.Coach: Greg Schiano, 17th season, 94-101.Last conference title: 2012 (Big East).Last time didn’t go bowling: 2022.Returning starters: 12 (seven offense, three defense, kicker, punter).Player to watch: LB Dariel Djabome.