Penn State football has as easy of a schedule as it could ask for in head coach Matt Campbell's first season. It avoids Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, and Iowa. Those aren't the only competitive Big Ten teams in the conference for 2026, though — meaning the Nittany Lions can't avoid everyone.
These two new Nittany Lions are already teased as potential 2026 All-Americans
In ESPN's full breakdown of what its analysts are anticipating for the 2026 season, Jake Trotter wrote that the storyline he's watching the most is if the Big Ten can produce a national champion for the fourth consecutive season. Michigan kicked it all off in 2023 followed by Ohio State in 2024 and Indiana most recently.
Those are just three of eight Big Ten teams that made it into ESPN's way-too-early Top 25 predictions: Indiana (No. 1), Oregon (No. 5), Ohio State (No. 6), USC (No. 13), Iowa (No. 16), Michigan (No. 18), Washington (No. 19), and Penn State (No. 22).
Trotter's anticipation for the Big Ten making another national championship run isn't a long shot by any means. That also means the Nittany Lions might face the future national champions in the regular season despite not being scheduled against the most intimidating teams. Those champions might just be the Wolverines.
ESPN's Mark Schlabach predicts Penn State and Michigan rebounding in 2026
Michigan hired Kyle Whittingham as its next head coach and Mark Schlabach chose Whittingham and his squad as the team that will surprise people in 2026. Schlabach didn't erase Penn State from the picture entirely, writing that it's the Wolverines alongside the Nittany Lions to rebound.
"Along with Penn State, I wouldn't be surprised to see Michigan rebound in former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham's first season. Underwood is going to be great, and tailback Jordan Marshall and receiver Andrew Marsh have a chance to be very, very good. If John Henry Daley bounces back from a lower-leg injury, he'll be one of the best edge rushers in the country."
Based on who Penn State meets in the regular season (or, rather, who it doesn't meet), Michigan poses the biggest threat. While the Nittany Lions face USC and Washington as well, the Wolverines are their biggest test as to whether they're a playoff-worthy team or not. They get the home-field advantage against the Trojans and a bye week evaluation before going to the Huskies.
Penn State gets neither of those things versus Michigan. The Wolverines get both. The Nittany Lions head to Ann Arbor in Week 7, the last game before they take a bye. Michigan, on the other hand, designated the Oct. 17 matchup as its Homecoming game and get to face Penn State after a Week 6 bye.
It's a defining game for both teams. If the Wolverines are predicted to bounce back stronger than they were in 2025 (9-4, 7-2 Big Ten in 2025), the Nittany Lions (6-6, 3-6 Big Ten in 2025) have even greater lengths to go.