Ranking Penn State's top five most exciting matchups for 2026
Penn State football's 2024 schedule features five exciting matchups, including USC and Michigan, under new coach Matt Campbell.
In a retooling year, the Nittany Lions have a perfect opportunity to try and bounce back. With a highly favorable schedule littered with a few high-profile games, the new look Nittany Lions are primed for some exhilarating matchups. With new head coach Matt Campbell at the helm, the Blue and white could be a sneaky CFP contender if they play their cards right.
For now, here are the top five most exciting matchups Penn State fans should have circled in the calendar. 5. Penn State vs.
Wisconsin, September 26 While it may not be the most appealing matchup on paper for the Nittany Lions, it is the home conference opener for the Nittany Lions as they welcome a Badgers squad looking for some sense of identity under head coach Luke Fickell. The last time the Nittany Lions played Wisconsin, it was a balanced victory for an experienced Nittany Lions squad that ended up making their first ever CFP. This time around, it will be Matt Campbell and his transfer heavy roster's first taste of the Big Ten.
This is also an intriguing matchup as Abu Sama II will be playing agains some of his former teammates and his former head coach 4. Penn State vs. Marshall , September 5 This may be the most fun of Penn State's non-conference scheduled games.