The 3 most important games on Penn State’s schedule in 2024

The Big Ten has long been a lopsided conference, with the East division featuring Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State, and the West routinely being won by Wisconsin, Nebraska, Purdue, or Iowa. So under that construction, Penn State’s schedule has had two vitally important games on it every season, against Michigan and Ohio State. 

However now, the Big Ten is 18-teams strong with no divisions, so Penn State’s schedule could look much different from year to year and this season the Nittany Lions get a reprieve from the defending conference and national champions. Penn State also has to face three of the four newcomers but misses national title contender Oregon. 

The Big Ten is finally balanced, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be any easier to win. For James Franklin to capture his second conference title and first College Football Playoff appearance in his 11th year at the helm, these are the three most important games for him to win.

It won’t be against Caleb Williams, but a road trip out to LA won’t be easy for the Nittany Lions. Lincoln Riley is still one of the best offensive coaches in college football and in last season’s Holiday Bowl win over Louisville, Miller Moss looked excellent. 

USC could have an elite offense, so Tom Allen’s defense will be tested, potentially for the first time. Week 1 against West Virginia could also be tough for the Nittany Lions, but a non-conference loss wouldn’t hurt nearly as much as a USC loss on the road. 

Oregon comes into the Big Ten with the most hype, but Washington beat the Ducks twice last season and met Michigan in the national championship game. The team is much different after the departure of Kalen DeBoer and a historic NFL draft class from the Huskies, but Jedd Fisch still has a lot of talent up in Seattle with an experienced quarterback in Will Rogers. 

It’ll take a few weeks to see what this Washington roster looks like on the field, but Washington is likely Penn State’s second-toughest opponent in the 2024 regular season, which is why the Huskies were the choice for the White Out. Even with a loss to Ohio State, if Penn State handles its business against USC, Washington, and the rest of the schedule, the Nittany Lions will cruise into the 12-team CFP. 

James Franklin is 1-9 in his 10 games against Ohio State since taking over in 2014 and the lone victory, led directly to a Big Ten title. It’s a simple formula for Penn State, take care of business against the Buckeyes and you’re in the College Football Playoff and maybe even conference champions. 

Last year, with Kyle McCord leading Ohio State’s offense, may have been Penn State’s best chance in a while of taking down the quarterback factory from Columbus, but the Nittany Lions were terrorized in the trenches and had no answer for Marvin Harrison Jr.

Heading into 2024, the Buckeyes are one of the favorites to win the national title and that type of matchup is clearly the most important game on the schedule for Penn State, even if it isn’t the most important contest for Ohio State.