Penn State football is heading into a new era under head coach Matt Campbell, and the 2026 schedule couldn’t be more forgiving for a first-year leader trying to build momentum. The Nittany Lions avoid matchups with some of the Big Ten’s most daunting programs - no Ohio State, no Oregon, no Iowa, and no Indiana. That’s a significant break in a conference that’s only getting deeper and more dangerous.
But let’s not mistake “manageable” for “easy.” The Big Ten is stacked in 2026, and Penn State isn’t completely off the hook.
Eight teams from the conference landed in ESPN’s way-too-early Top 25, and yes, Penn State is one of them - slotted in at No. 22.
That puts them behind a loaded group that includes Indiana at No. 1, Oregon at No.
5, Ohio State at No. 6, USC at No.
13, Iowa at No. 16, Michigan at No. 18, and Washington at No.
- This conference isn't just competitive - it’s running college football right now.
Jake Trotter of ESPN is keeping a close eye on whether the Big Ten can extend its national title streak to four straight seasons. Michigan started the run in 2023, followed by Ohio State in 2024, and Indiana shocked the world in 2025. That kind of dominance puts a target on the conference’s back - and raises the bar for every team trying to climb the ladder, including Penn State.
The Nittany Lions may not face every top-tier Big Ten power in the regular season, but they’ll still have to prove they belong in that conversation. And that test could come in the form of the Michigan Wolverines.
Michigan is entering a new chapter of its own, with longtime Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham taking the reins in Ann Arbor. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach sees Michigan as a team poised to surprise in 2026 - and he includes Penn State in that rebound conversation. Schlabach highlighted emerging talent like quarterback Underwood, running back Jordan Marshall, and wideout Andrew Marsh, along with edge rusher John Henry Daley, who could be a game-changer if he returns to form after a leg injury.
That sets the stage for what could be one of the most pivotal games on Penn State’s schedule: a Week 7 road trip to Michigan.
This isn’t just another conference game. It’s a measuring stick.
The Nittany Lions will have already faced USC and Washington - both ranked, both dangerous - but they get USC at home and have a bye before traveling to Seattle. Against Michigan?
No such luck. The Wolverines get the bye week before the matchup, and they’ll host Penn State in front of a Homecoming crowd in Ann Arbor.
Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions will be grinding through six straight games before heading into the Big House - and only then do they get their bye.
It’s a tough setup, but it’s also a golden opportunity.
If Michigan is indeed on the rebound and looking like a playoff contender again, a win in Ann Arbor would be a massive statement for Matt Campbell’s squad. On the flip side, it’s the kind of game that could expose just how far Penn State still has to go after a 6-6 campaign in 2025 (3-6 in conference play). Michigan wasn’t flawless last season either - finishing 9-4 overall - but the expectation is that Whittingham will elevate the program quickly.
For Penn State, the 2026 season is about more than just avoiding the big names. It’s about proving they can hang with them when it matters. And no game may matter more than that mid-October showdown in Ann Arbor.