The Big Ten Conference has released the kickoff times and television partners for the first three contests of the Penn State Nittany Lions' football season, setting the stage for a highly anticipated start to the campaign.
Opening Week Details
Penn State will open its season at home against the Marshall Thundering Herd on September 5, with the game slated for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff and broadcast on Fox Sports 1. The following week, the Nittany Lions travel to face Temple on September 12, where the noon start will be carried by ESPN2. In week three, Penn State hosts the Buffalo Bulls on September 19, with the noon slot again on the Big Ten Network. A home matchup against Wisconsin scheduled for September 26 will also be aired no later than 5 p.m., according to the conference's release.
Fans eager to attend these home games can begin purchasing single‑game tickets on June 5 at 10 a.m., a timeline that the athletic department says will allow supporters ample time to secure seats for the early‑season slate.
Pitt Panthers and the ACC Schedule
The Atlantic Coast Conference, in partnership with ESPN, has also announced kickoff times for several Pitt Panthers games. The Panthers open the season at home against Miami of Ohio on September 5, with the contest set to air on the CW Network either at noon or 12:30 p.m., depending on final scheduling.
Beyond the Big Ten and ACC, the Southeastern Conference has taken a notable step by eliminating what it has called “cupcake weekend.” Beginning in 2027, all SEC teams will be required to play conference games during the second‑to‑last week of the regular season, a move driven by the league's expansion to a nine‑game schedule in 2026.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey confirmed the decision, stating that the change had been under discussion for months and was deemed necessary to accommodate the new scheduling model while preserving competitive balance across the league.