Ranking Penn State's 2026 football schedule from easiest to hardest

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Now that the Penn State football season for 2026 has been officially locked in, it is time to overanalyze the heck out of this thing during these cold winter months to pass the time. Which games on Penn State’s schedule are going to be the easiest for new head coach Matt Campbell and his reworked roster, and which should be the most challenging?

Overall, Penn State looks to have a pretty solid schedule for a program looking to get things back on a winning track and, potentially, play for a spot in the College Football Playoff. That assumes a lot of things go right for Penn State this season, of course.

Here is a power ranking of Penn State’s 2026 football schedule from what should be the easiest game on the schedule all the way up to the toughest.

12. Purdue – Oct. 31

The game that should be considered the easiest game on Penn State’s schedule is a home game against Purdue. The Boilermakers were 2-10 last season, the worst record of any team appearing on Penn State’s 2026 schedule. Penn State also gets a bye week to rest up for home game on Halloween after playing at Michigan two weeks prior. Purdue also gets a week off before this game.

11. at Temple – Sept. 12

Penn State’s first road game of the year will be played in Philadelphia in Week 2. Penn State visits Temple for the first time since 2015, when the Owls started the season with a surprising win over the Nittany Lions. Temple finished the 2025 season with a record of 5-7 after dropping its final four games of the season. Temple lost to Oklahoma and Georgia Tech in its two games against P4 opponents by a combined score of 87-27.

10. at Maryland – Nov. 28

Penn State closes out the regular season on the road against Maryland on Nov. 28. If history is any indication, Penn State should be in a comfortable spot as a favorite after dismantling the Terrapins in their recent outings in College Park, Maryland. Maryland went 4-8 last season and 1-8 in Big Ten play.

9. Marshall – Sept. 5

Penn State opens the season at home against Marshall. The Thundering Herd went 5-7 last season. The two teams have not faced each other since 1930, when Penn State won 65-0 in State College. This year’s game will likely be a bit closer than that, but this should still result in a Penn State victory to kick off the Matt Campbell era.

8. Buffalo – Sept. 19

Penn State’s non-conference portion of the schedule wraps up at home against Buffalo, and this should be another favorable result for the Nittany Lions. Buffalo went 5-7 last season, including a loss. atMinnesota to open the season.

7. Wisconsin – Sept. 26

Big Ten play opens for Penn State at home against the Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin had a rough 2025 season and has been trending in the wrong direction the last few seasons, so fans in Madison are hoping for better results this season. That’s what makes this an interesting Big Ten matchup early on as both Penn State and Wisconsin are looking to set the tone for a better 2026 campaign.

6. at Northwestern – Oct. 3

Penn State’s first road game in conference play takes Penn State to Northwestern’s campus. Northwestern will announce some specific venue information for the 2026 season soon, so we will know exactly where this game will be played. Northwestern stunned Penn State last season, resulting in the dramatic in-season coaching change that ignited a full reset for the program. So call this a revenge game if you wish, but Northwestern can be pesky.

5. Rutgers – Nov. 21

While Penn State has not slipped up against Rutgers since the Scarlet Knights joined the Big Ten, there is something about these late November matchups that have a knack for tough outings. Penn State has typically been pretty beat up by the time these matchups come around but still manages to pull through. More of that this season would not be a shock to see.

4. Minnesota – Nov. 14

One thing we will know about Minnesota is they be ready to spring an upset if Penn State is not careful. P.J. Fleck has. away of hyping up his team for these types of games and the Gophers could have just enough firepower to cause enough problems for Penn State in the battle for the Governor’s Victory Bell.

3. USC – Oct. 10

USC could, potentially, be the best team on Penn State’s 2026 schedule this season. But despite all of the talent on the roster, the Trojans have not fared well on the road since joining the Big Ten, and this will be the first trip to Beaver Stadium. Mark this one down as your whiteout game for this season.

2. at Washington – Nov. 7

Penn State will make its annual West Coast trip with a road game at Washington. The travel alone is tough to overcome, but playing in Seattle should be the most intimidating road trip of the season. Penn State has never lost to Washington, but this one will be challenging. Washington went 9-4 last season.

1. at Michigan – Oct. 17

There should be no question which game on Penn State’s 2026 schedule will be considered the most challenging. It is the road game at Michigan, home to a true house of horrors for Penn State over the years. Michigan is coming off a 9-4 season and has a new head coach in Kyle Whittingham. Penn State has won just four games in Michigan Stadium since 1994, with the last win coming in the COVID-19 season of 2020.

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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Ranking Penn State’s 2026 football schedule from easiest to hardest

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