Overview of Penn State Football's 2026 Opponents
The 2026 Penn State football season is set to begin, marking the first year under new head coach Matt Campbell. The Nittany Lions will face a diverse range of opponents, including formidable teams from the Big Ten and others from different conferences.
Among the opponents, Temple and Buffalo both finished the previous season with 5-7 records, but Buffalo is noted for having a more successful recent history. Purdue has struggled significantly in recent years, while Marshall, despite not defeating a power conference team since 2023, won a Sun Belt Conference championship in 2024. Rutgers and Maryland are also on the schedule, with Rutgers needing to find a new quarterback after losing their starter to the NFL Draft.
Northwestern is seen as a likely win for Penn State, although they had some success against Big Ten teams last season. Wisconsin and Minnesota are also included in the lineup, with Wisconsin having a mixed performance last year and Minnesota coming off a 7-5 season. The Nittany Lions will face tough competition from Michigan and Washington, with Michigan currently favored in their matchup. USC is anticipated to be the most challenging opponent, especially with their strong returning players and a recent victory in their season opener.
