Penn State Schedule Breakdown 2026: Easiest, Toughest Games During College Football Season

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Penn State Schedule Breakdown 2026: Easiest, Toughest Games During College Football Season originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Penn State is entering a new era in 2026 with head coach Matt Campbell, but this is not a program in the midst of rebuild.

Campbell leaned heavily into the transfer portal, bringing more than 20 former Iowa State players with him to immediately pad the Nittany Lions' depth. Penn State, sitting at No. 18 in the AP poll, will avoid Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon this year, giving the team a chance to rack up wins.

While the Nittany Lions will dodge a few Big Ten giants, they still have to navigate some difficult matchups that will define their playoff ceiling.

Here is a complete breakdown of Penn State's 2026 schedule, including the easiest and hardest matchups.

Penn State toughest games of 2026 season

vs. No. 14 USC (Oct. 10)

Lincoln Riley's USC team boasts a highly explosive offense led by star quarterback Jayden Maiava, who will look to make a leap as a senior after throwing for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns last year.

If Penn State can limit USC's big plays and control the tempo, Campbell's new-look squad could show the rest of the country that it has the blueprint required to play postseason football.

at No. 16 Michigan (Oct. 17)

Just like Penn State, Michigan has a first-year coach leading the program with Kyle Whittingham coming over from Utah to replace Sherrone Moore. With Whittingham running the show, the Wolverines are hoping to claw their way back to the top of the Big Ten standings.

Penn State will travel to the "Big House" in October, giving some of the new players their first true road test of the season.

at No. 17 Washington (Nov. 7)

Penn State will hop on the longest flight of the season to face a Washington team that went 9-4 last year. This will be an important game for the Nittany Lions after a shocking road loss to UCLA derailed the 2025 campaign.

Penn State easiest games of 2026 season

vs. Marshall, at Temple, vs. Buffalo (Sept. 5, Sept. 12, Sept. 19)

The non-conference slate includes three games that Penn State should win in convincing fashion. Marshall and Buffalo will visit a hostile Beaver Stadium, while a quick trip to Philadelphia to face Temple could feel like another home game for the Nittany Lions.

These opponents simply lack the depth and athleticism to keep up with Penn State over four quarters.

vs. Purdue (Oct. 31)

The Boilermakers are widely predicted to be one of the worst teams in the Big Ten, coming off a 2-10 season in which they did not win a single conference game. Penn State should be able to get a comfortable win at home between a pair of rough road games against Michigan and Washington.

vs. Rutgers (Nov. 21)

Greg Schiano's team has plenty of question marks, particularly on the offensive side of the ball after losing quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. Penn State should win by multiple scores in its final home game of the season.

Penn State football schedule 2026

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos