Penn State's 2026 Schedule: 5 Games That Will Define Matt Campbell's First Season

Penn State is less than a month from training camp, and the 2026 season is fast approaching. Head coach Matt Campbell makes his debut on September 5 against Marshall at Beaver Stadium. The schedule looks favorable for a first-year coach, but a few tough matchups could decide the Nittany Lions' fate.

The Nittany Lions open with three winnable games: Marshall, at Temple, and home against Buffalo. They avoid Big Ten powerhouses Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, and Illinois during the regular season. But the real tests come later. Here are the five toughest games on Penn State's 2026 schedule, ranked from bottom to top.

5. Minnesota at Penn State: November 14

From 1999 to 2019, the Goll