Penn State’s upcoming 2026 football schedule has been labeled one of the easiest in the Big Ten, a distinction that stems from the team’s deliberate avoidance of the conference’s most formidable opponents.
Unlike many of its peers, the Nittany Lions will not meet any squad that posted ten or more victories in the previous season, a factor that statistical analysts have highlighted as a key indicator of schedule difficulty.
Teams Left Off the slate
The absence of traditional powerhouses such as Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan State removes multiple threats from the lineup. Ohio State, which boasts the Big Ten’s top‑ranked defense, is among the teams Penn State will not face, while Oregon is viewed as the next program capable of capturing a national championship.
Equally notable is the omission of Indiana, a program that has emerged as a serious national contender thanks to the arrival of transfer quarterback Josh Hoover, who brings a high‑caliber passing skill set to the Hoosiers.
Iowa, Illinois, and UCLA also drop off the schedule, each presenting distinct storylines. Iowa’s defense remains among the most aggressive in the league, while Illinois has compiled a remarkable 13 one‑score wins over the past three seasons, underscoring its resilience in close games.
Nebraska is undergoing a rebuild under new head coach Matt Rhule, a transition that could affect its competitiveness, whereas UCLA is in the early stages of a reconstruction led by Bob Chesney, a phase that typically yields inconsistent results.
Michigan State’s recent downturn from an 11‑2 record in 2021 to a more modest performance further clears the path for Penn State, as the Spartans’ current trajectory suggests a lower level of threat.
Coaching Landscape
The broader conference picture is shaped by a wave of coaching changes. At Penn State, James Franklin continues to steer the program, while neighboring schools are navigating transitions: Ryan Day at Ohio State, Dan Lanning at Oregon, and Kirk Ferentz at Iowa, among others.
These shifts contribute to the overall uncertainty surrounding the Big Ten, making Penn State’s relatively straightforward schedule an advantageous positioning as the team prepares for the upcoming season.