Penn State's schedule ranked
Onward State released a power ranking of Penn State’s 2026 football slate and called the schedule 'loaded with exciting games' as spring practice wraps. (onwardstate.com) ESPN’s spring update to its way‑too‑early Top 25 also included Penn State as evaluators update rosters and practice reports. (espn.com)
Penn State’s 2026 football schedule is already being framed around three swing games: Southern California, Michigan, and Washington. (gopsusports.com) (onwardstate.com) The official schedule lists 12 games, with seven at Beaver Stadium and five away. Penn State opens Sept. 5 against Marshall, visits Temple on Sept. 12, and closes Nov. 28 at Maryland. (gopsusports.com 1) (gopsusports.com 2) Big Ten play starts Sept. 26 against Wisconsin, and one date already changed shape when Penn State’s trip to Northwestern was moved to Friday, Oct. 2. Southern California comes to State College on Oct. 10, Michigan hosts Penn State on Oct. 17, and Washington gets the Lions on Nov. 7 in Seattle. (gopsusports.com 1) (gopsusports.com 2) That schedule is getting extra attention because Penn State is entering its first full season under Matt Campbell. The school named Campbell its 17th head coach on Dec. 8, 2025, after a 2025 season that ended with a Pinstripe Bowl win over Clemson. (gopsusports.com) (sports-reference.com) ESPN’s spring update to its 2026 way-too-early Top 25 still included Penn State as practices continued across the country. ESPN said the update reflected settled rosters and spring practice reports, which is why April schedule talk is being paired with roster talk. (espn.com 1) (espn.com 2) Penn State’s spring calendar is still active, not finished. The program said its Blue-White Practice is set for April 25 at 1 p.m. in an open-practice format, with free admission and fan events tied to Blue-White Weekend. (gopsusports.com) The shape of the schedule is clear even before kickoff times are. Marshall, Temple, and Buffalo give Penn State a three-game nonconference runway before league play, while October carries Wisconsin, Northwestern, Southern California, and Michigan in a four-game stretch. (gopsusports.com) November is lighter on brand names but not empty on road miles. Penn State goes to Washington on Nov. 7, then finishes with Minnesota, Rutgers, and Maryland over the final four weeks. (gopsusports.com) So the early argument around Penn State is not whether the 2026 slate has big games. It is which of those October and November trips will define Campbell’s first full season once spring turns into Saturdays. (onwardstate.com) (gopsusports.com)
