Penn State's 2026 Big Ten opponents have be release, raising whether they have earned a reset or not.
Penn State’s 2026 schedule reflects program’s recent struggles originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Penn State’s 2026 football schedule has been released, and it has already caused debate across the Big Ten. When looking at the teams the Nittany Lions will face, one thing stands out right away: there is a clear lack of elite, big-name opponents. For a program with Penn State’s history and expectations, the lighter schedule raises questions about whether recent struggles played a role in shaping next season’s matchups.
Penn State’s home schedule includes Minnesota, Purdue, Rutgers, USC, and Wisconsin. On the road, the Nittany Lions will travel to face Maryland, Michigan, Northwestern, and Washington. While a few of these programs had solid seasons, only two finished with winning conference records. Compared to past years, the overall difficulty level appears noticeably lower.
That becomes even more clear when looking back at Penn State’s performance last season. The Nittany Lions struggled mightily, finishing just 3–6 in Big Ten play and ending the year with a 3–9 overall record. With those results, it is fair to wonder if Penn State has done enough to deserve a tougher slate. If schedules are meant to reward success, the 2026 schedule feels more like a reset than a reward.
Penn State’s B1G schedule next year 😬 pic.twitter.com/czwaCj7GMw
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) December 27, 2025
Several strong opponents Penn State faced last season will not appear on the 2026 schedule. Teams like Ohio State, Oregon, and undefeated Indiana are missing, removing many of the toughest challenges Penn State dealt with a year ago. Without those matchups, the path to wins looks easier, but it also raises questions about how much those wins will truly prove.
This reset comes after the end of the James Franklin era. Franklin was fired following years of falling short of expectations, despite a strong overall resume. He finished his time at Penn State with a 104–45 record, more than eight bowl wins, five top-10 finishes, and a Big Ten championship. However, his struggles against elite competition ultimately led to his downfall. Franklin went just 4–21 against top-10 teams and had a losing record against ranked opponents at home. While Penn State was often good under Franklin, it rarely proved great.
Now, the program enters a new chapter under Matt Campbell, who was named the 17th head coach in Penn State history. Campbell arrives from Iowa State with a reputation for developing players and building tough, disciplined teams. During his time with the Cyclones, 39 players were drafted into the NFL, he coached 18 All-Americans, and led Iowa State to two top-15 AP Poll finishes. Campbell also won Big 12 Coach of the Year honors three times.
The 2026 schedule marks the beginning of the Campbell era, and it gives Penn State a chance to rebuild confidence and stack wins. However, even if the Nittany Lions take advantage of the lighter schedule, doubts will remain. Until Penn State beats a true top-level opponent, they will continue to be seen as pretenders rather than contenders.
The schedule may be easier, but expectations at Penn State have not changed. How the team responds under Matt Campbell will define whether this reset leads to real success or simply another rebuild.
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Category: General Sports
