Penn State football's easy 2026 schedule isn't a new narrative. It's a great start for head coach Matt Campbell, but it doesn't mean the Nittany Lions are College Football Playoff contenders, never mind national title contenders, in his first season.
So, when CBS Sports' Richard Johnson labels the blue and white as an "overrated" Big Ten team, there's a valid reason as to why. That's not to say Campbell's team is "bad," but Penn State isn't in conversation with Ohio State, Indiana, and Oregon regardless of what the record may say.
The debate can go back-and-forth on whether the Nittany Lions are overrated, underrated, or evenly-rated at that. Brad Crawford, for example, thinks Penn State isn't given enough credit because of its schedule.
Regardless of where the debate puts the blue and white at, it's at least comforting knowing that the Nittany Lions' toughest opponents are also being questioned.
CBS Sports tabs Michigan and USC as "overrated" teams in the Big Ten
Michigan, USC, and Washington are the three games circled on the clander for Campbell. These are the weeks where Penn State gets to truly assess where it stands in the conference. It doesn't have the Buckeyes, Hoosiers, or Ducks, so the second tier of Big Ten teams is where Campbell has to get his answers from.
According to Crawford, Chris Hummer, and John Talty, the Nittany Lions might have a better chance with two of those opponents than they expect.
"If you want to buy into Lincoln Riley and USC, go for it. I won't be one of those people," Talty wrote.
Riley has a lot to prove this season with the Trojans, but after his first season finishing 11-3, he has yet to put together a double-digit win season at USC. He came the closest last year with a 9-4 overall record and returns quarterback Jayden Maiava who had the most passing yards in the Big Ten in 2025, but Talty isn't sold.
The Trojans face Oregon, Washington, Ohio State, and Indiana in 2026 alongside Penn State. It's a loaded schedule, and the Nittany Lions get them after the Ducks and Huskies. Once Week 6 arrives, Penn State might look more like a favorite in that contest than it does now.
Hummer tabbed Washington as his underrated team, meaning the Wolverines are surprisingly the others from that trio that can be seen as overrated.
Hummer has some questions, while not disregarding that Michigan is technically still a good team, when it comes to new head coach Kyle Whittingham. Like Campbell, year one won't be a breeze no matter who's on the roster due to the jump from the Big 12 to the Big Ten. Unlike Campbell, the schedule the Wolverines face makes the season even tougher.
He also listed lack of offensive weapons for developing quarterback Bryce Underwood and lack of starters on defense as other reasons he's questioning Michigan.
Since the Huskies have been considered at the bottom of that group of three, faith faltering in Michigan and USC is great news for Penn State. It doesn't eliminate the level of competition in comparison to the rest of the schedule, but it's another reminder that they're not the best in the conference and, therefore, not a team the Nittany Lions' can't beat.
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