After a thrilling run to the Big Ten Championship Game and the College Football Playoff semifinals last year, Penn State proved it belongs among the nation’s top dawgs. But getting there isn’t the same as winning it all. With an experienced quarterback in Drew Allar, a dominant running game, and a loaded defense, the goal for James Franklin’s team is no longer just to make the playoffs. It’s to win the whole dang thing.
The great news for fans is that you can watch the Nittany Lions’ entire journey on any well-equipped TV plan. As a premier Big Ten team, Penn State’s games are featured weekly across major networks like CBS, FOX, NBC, and Big Ten Network, as well as on streaming services like Peacock. To help you navigate it all, I’ve put together this complete TV guide with weekly channel listings and my expert picks for the best streaming plans.
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2025 Penn State football TV schedule
The 2025 Penn State schedule is all about revenge and redemption. After a three-game home stand to build momentum, the Nittany Lions get a shot at the team that beat them in last year’s Big Ten Championship: Oregon. That primetime clash at Beaver Stadium kicks off a brutal midseason stretch that also includes tough road games at UCLA, Iowa, and Ohio State.
After making a playoff run last season, the bar in Happy Valley has never been higher. I’ll be watching closely to see where the Nittany Lions might stumble (if at all) and how they respond. Scroll down for the full TV schedule so you can follow along too.
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET)/Result | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada Wolf Pack | Saturday, Aug. 30 | W 46–11 | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| Florida International Panthers | Saturday, Sept. 6 | W 34–0 | Big Ten Network |
| Villanova Wildcats | Saturday, Sept. 13 | W 52–6 | FS1 |
| Oregon Ducks (#6) | Saturday, Sept. 27 | L 24–30 | NBC, Peacock Premium |
| At UCLA Bruins | Saturday, Oct. 4 | L 37–42 | CBS |
| Northwestern Wildcats | Saturday, Oct. 11 | L 21–22 | FS1 |
| At Iowa Hawkeyes | Saturday, Oct. 18 | L 24–25 | Peacock Premium |
| At Ohio State Buckeyes (#1) | Saturday, Nov. 1 | 12:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Indiana Hoosiers (#2) | Saturday, Nov. 8 | TBD | TBA |
| At Michigan State Spartans | Saturday, Nov. 15 | TBD | TBA |
| Nebraska Cornhuskers | Saturday, Nov. 22 | TBD | TBA |
| At Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Saturday, Nov. 29 | TBD | TBA |
Data effective as of post date. All listed rankings are from the AP Top 25 poll at the time of the matchup.
Best TV plans for watching Penn State football
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
When it comes to watching Penn State football, what kind of fan are you? Your answer will determine your perfect TV plan. For the serious follower who wants to catch the vast majority of games, my go-to recommendation is Hulu + Live TV. It’s the best all-around package, giving you all the essential college football channels like FOX, NBC, ESPN, and Big Ten Network. Plus, the included ESPN+ and unlimited DVR storage make it a fantastic value.
But if you’re the die-hard, “never-miss-a-snap” type of fan, you need to add one more piece to the TV puzzle: Peacock Premium. While Penn State may only have a game or two scheduled there, the Big Ten streams several key conference matchups exclusively on the platform each year. From my perspective, if you want guaranteed, 100% access to every possible Nittany Lions broadcast, adding Peacock is a must for true peace of mind on game day.
How to watch Penn State Nittany Lions football FAQ
Where can I watch Penn State football for free?
You can watch Penn State football for free using a simple digital antenna to pick up your local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC stations for a one-time cost. For anything on a cable channel like FS1 or Big Ten Network, your best move is to strategically use a free trial from a service like DIRECTV or Fubo.
How can I watch Penn State football without cable?
If you’re cutting the cord, my advice is to build your setup around a comprehensive live TV service. I always recommend Hulu + Live TV to college football fans because it has the essential CFB channels, including Big Ten Network and ESPN+. Just know that to be a true Big Ten completist, you’ll also need a Peacock Premium subscription for their exclusive games.
Can I watch Penn State football on Peacock?
Yes, the Big Ten’s media deal puts some of its best matchups exclusively on Peacock each season. If you want to see every possible Penn State game, you absolutely need one of Peacock’s premium subscriptions.
How do I watch Nittany Lions football if I live out of state?
Penn State football fans can forget about regional blackouts. Whether you’re in Philly or Phoenix, a good streaming service with Big Ten Network and the major broadcast channels gives you the same TV access as a fan in Central Pennsylvania.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, cross-referenced the official Penn State football schedule with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. Using those details, he selected our viewing recommendations based on channel availability, pricing, and ease of use.
This guide is updated regularly throughout the season to ensure our information is accurate. To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
