The 2026 Penn State football schedule hands new head coach Matt Campbell a real opportunity to lay the groundwork for something special in Happy Valley. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves - this isn’t an overnight transformation.
While the Nittany Lions are entering a new chapter, the climb back into national contention is still going to take some time. That’s exactly the tone FOX Sports struck in its way-too-early Top 25, slotting Penn State at No. 17 heading into the season.
That ranking puts them just ahead of Washington and right behind Big Ten rival Michigan - a fair placement for a team in transition. FOX’s RJ Young also pegged Penn State for a 7-6 finish, a record that might not jump off the page, but it’s a realistic foundation for a program trying to find its footing under a new regime.
Campbell, who made the jump from Iowa State after building the Cyclones into a respected Big 12 force, brings with him a few familiar faces - including quarterback Rocco Becht. Becht, along with former Ohio State running back James Peoples, gives Penn State an intriguing mix of system familiarity and untapped upside. That duo alone won’t turn the Nittany Lions into instant contenders, but they do give Campbell something to build around from day one.
The schedule gives Campbell a chance to settle in before the real gauntlet begins. The non-conference slate includes matchups against Marshall, Temple, and Buffalo - winnable games that should help establish rhythm and identity.
Things get more serious in Big Ten play, where Penn State will face heavyweights like Michigan, USC, and Washington. It’s a tough draw, but not quite the murderers’ row of Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana that they faced last year.
There’s also opportunity sprinkled throughout the rest of the schedule. Matchups with Maryland, Purdue, and Northwestern offer chances for Penn State to stack wins and build confidence. And while it’s tempting to look at the schedule and dream up a potential College Football Playoff path, that’s a stretch - at least for now.
This is about setting a tone, not chasing trophies in Year 1. A 7-6 finish with a spot at the back end of the Top 25?
That’s not failure - that’s a launchpad. Campbell’s job in 2026 isn’t to win it all; it’s to show that the program is heading in the right direction.
If they do better than that, great. But the real win this season would be laying a foundation that makes Penn State a serious player in the Big Ten for years to come.