The final blanks on Penn State’s 2026 football schedule have been filled in.
The Nittany Lions’ nonconference slate and Big Ten opponents had been previously revealed, but the dates for the conference games were announced on Tuesday, putting the final puzzle pieces in place.
Penn State’s first schedule under new head coach Matt Campbell will be as follows:
Sept. 5, vs. Marshall
Sept. 12, at Temple
Sept. 19, vs. Buffalo
Sept. 26, vs. Wisconsin
Oct. 3, at Northwestern
Oct. 10, vs. USC
Oct. 17, at Michigan
Oct. 24, BYE
Oct. 31, versus Purdue
Nov. 7, at Washington
Nov. 14, vs. Minnesota
Nov. 21, vs. Rutgers
Nov. 28, at Maryland
The Big Ten championship is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, should Penn State qualify.
In addition to playing no power conference teams in the nonconference portion, the Nittany Lions received a favorable conference draw, avoiding reigning national champion Indiana, as well as 2025 College Football Playoff teams Ohio State and Oregon.
The toughest stretch for Penn State appears to be weeks six and seven, when it welcomes a talented USC squad before traveling to play Michigan, with the Wolverines coming off a bye week. The Trojans appear to be the obvious candidate for White Out treatment.
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