While Penn State football’s 2026 slate likely won’t be as difficult as the previous year’s, which featured three top-five opponents, it’ll still provide some challenging battles.
Following a relatively soft nonconference portion, the Nittany Lions delve into Big Ten play, featuring tough road trips and intriguing home games.
Here’s a look at the most challenging games on the conference schedule, ranked by difficulty.
9. Purdue
The Boilermakers feel like the easiest win on Penn State’s Big Ten slate, coming off a 2-10 finish, including 0-9 against the Big Ten, which ranked dead last in the conference.
They hit the transfer portal hard again entering Barry Odom’s second season at the helm, but only one of their 29 incoming transfers ranks as a four-star by 247Sports. Add to that a 2026 recruiting class with no blue-chip prospects, making it hard to forecast a significant turnaround from last season.
Quarterback Ryan Browne is expected to start again after throwing more interceptions than touchdowns in 2025, and while he’s surrounded by new weapons, the offensive talent doesn’t seem to be there. Defensively, Purdue will have new starters at all three levels, but outside of linebacker Charles Correa, there are no proven playmakers.
8. Maryland
Though the Terrapins struggled to a 4-8 record last season, including just one win over a Big Ten foe, they appear poised for a slight improvement in 2026.
Quarterback Malik Washington returns after an impressive freshman campaign, along with most of the offense. Maryland added transfer wide receivers Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding and Chris Durr Jr., who were moderately successful at the Group of 6 level, to hopefully ease drop issues that plagued the room last season.
Defensively, the Terrapins also return most of their starters while supplementing through the transfer portal, bringing in needed help along the defensive line, though none of the newcomers were given more than three stars by 247Sports, providing little optimism that the unit will make a meaningful jump.
While the offense could improve, the defense seems poised for another season near the bottom of the Big Ten. Plus, Maryland has only beaten the Nittany Lions three times across 48 all-time matchups, so history is on Penn State’s side.
7. Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights return most of their offensive talent from last season, including KJ Duff, viewed as one of the top wide receivers in the country, and running back Antwan Raymond, who accounted for 1,241 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. Penn State fans may remember Duff from his one-handed reception last year.
However, quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is off to the NFL with no obvious successor. Redshirt sophomore AJ Surace is favored to win the job but has just four career completions and could be a significant cause for concern.
Defensively, Rutgers leaned heavily on the transfer portal after having one of the worst units in the Power 4 last season, but it remains to be seen whether improvement will be made.
6. Wisconsin
Though head coach Luke Fickell’s tenure in Madison has been underwhelming thus far, the Badgers could elevate into the middle tier of the conference next season, if a few things go right.
Transfer quarterback Colton Joseph arrives from Old Dominion, where he put up impressive numbers against lower competition. Also joining the backfield is running back Abu Sama III, who was a co-starter with Penn State’s Carson Hansen while they were at Iowa State last year.
Though it brought in some intriguing pieces, Wisconsin also lost a large contingent of players to the portal, leaving some holes entering the fall.
5. Northwestern
The Wildcats mounted a 7-6 record last season, including a win over the Nittany Lions in Beaver Stadium, and could take another step forward this season.
They bring in an inconsistent but talented quarterback in Aiden Chiles from Michigan State as the projected starter, though West Virginia transfer Nicco Marchiol could also make a push.
Northwestern also added a pair of tight ends via the portal in four-star Luke Dehnicke and three-star Alex Honig, who replaced the departing Hunter Welcing, now at Ohio State.
Losing edge rusher Anto Saka to Texas A&M was significant, but the Wildcats return most other defensive starters and added four-star linebacker Kobie McKinzie from Oklahoma.
4. Minnesota
Head coach PJ Fleck has won fairly consistently with the Golden Gophers, and that should be the case again this fall.
Quarterback Drake Lindsey returns after a solid 2025 campaign, as does star running back Darius Taylor, making for a talented backfield.
The loss of safety Koi Perich to Oregon stings defensively, but defensive end Anthony Smith, a first-team All-Big Ten selection, is back.
While Minnesota lost a decent amount of production to the portal, it backfilled with players at nearly every position, including a trio of wide receivers who are expected to land on the two-deep.
3. Washington
Though he nearly transferred, the Huskies bring back one of the top quarterbacks in the conference in Demond Williams Jr. for 2026, making them an instant threat.
However, he loses playmakers like wide receiver Denzel Boston and running back Jonah Coleman, leaving a lack of proven offensive production. Most of the offensive line returns, and running back Jayden Limar transferred in from Oregon as the presumptive starter, which paired with Williams’ legs should make for a strong ground game.
Most of the defense returns, including the two leading tacklers in safety Alex McLaughlin and Xe’Ree Alexander, and the team added depth along the defensive line via the portal to what should be one of the better defenses in the conference.
Having to travel three time zones makes the trip even more difficult for the Nittany Lions, who will play in one of college football’s premier venues.
2. USC
Head coach Lincoln Riley made bold offseason proclamations about his team’s national championship potential, and while his group is talented on paper, they’ll have to prove it on the field.
The offense lost wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane to the NFL but should remain explosive with quarterback Jayden Maiava back under center. Tanook Hines is next up in the wide receiver lineage and leading rushers King Miller (972 yards) and Waymond Jordan (576 yards) are back for another season.
The defense, as is typical under Riley, remains an uncertainty heading into the year. The unit was trending in the right direction under defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, who’s now at Penn State.
The group is talented, but their ceiling depends on Gary Patterson’s ability to coach them up. If everything hits, Riley’s preseason expectations may come to fruition.
The Nittany Lions’ big advantage in this game comes from likely having a White Out crowd against the Trojans, who will travel cross-country for the matchup.
1. Michigan
The Wolverines also underwent a head coaching change this offseason, with Kyle Whittingham arriving via Utah. Despite the turnover, they’ll likely be the toughest opponent Penn State faces all year, and the game comes at Michigan Stadium.
Matt Campbell does have a head-to-head victory over Whittingham in 2024, but both are at new schools with almost entirely different rosters.
The Wolverines’ offensive line is a question mark, but having a mobile quarterback in Bryce Underwood, paired with five-star freshman running back Savion Hiter — who’s drawn rave reviews since arriving on campus — can make up for blocking struggles.
Defensively, coordinator Jay Hill arrives from BYU with high expectations. Though young, the defensive line figures to be a strength, while the secondary also has talent.
