A Glimpse at the 2026 slate
The 2026 season opens for the Nittany Lions on September 5, when they host Marshall in a 3:30 p.m. kickoff that will be carried live on FS1. It also marks the first appearance of head coach Matt Campbell in a Penn State uniform, adding a fresh storyline to the early‑season excitement.
A week later, the team travels to Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field for a noon contest against Temple, broadcast on ESPN2, before returning home to face Buffalo on September 19 at noon, with the game slated for the Big Ten Network.
Homecoming week arrives on September 26, when Wisconsin visits State College; the Big Ten has set a 5 p.m. start time for that matchup, ensuring the traditional celebration fits within the conference’s early‑evening window.
The schedule also teases a potential White Out against USC on October 10, a night game that remains under discussion, while a road test at Northwestern on October 2 is set for an 8 p.m. start on FOX.
Notably, the slate omits traditional rivals Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon — all College Football Playoff participants from the previous season — leaving the Lions to navigate a different set of challenges.
Most of the conference kickoff times and television designations will be finalized later in the fall, giving coaches and fans alike something to anticipate as the season unfolds.