Penn State's 2027 schedule has been revealed, and it is an absolute gauntlet.
Penn State better get while the getting is good in 2026 because their schedule in the 2027 sesaon is not going to be so kind to them.
Zach Seyko of Locked On Penn State released the 2027 schedule on Thursday, and the Nittany Lions are paying for the schedule that they have in 2026.
Until the Big Ten learns how to schedule fairly with 18 teams in the conference, these swings in strength of schedule are going to be inevitable. There is also the assumption being made that these programs will stay within arm's length, at least, of what they are right now.
Penn State's 2026 campaign has only two preseason-ranked teams on it. The 2027 calendar opens with three straight road games against Illinois, Indiana, and Oregon in consecutive games.
They then get games against Michigan, Michigan State, and Washington at home before two road games to finish at Purdue and at Wisconsin.
The final order of the schedule will actually determine how tough it is. If they end up with a three-game stretch to begin Big Ten play against Illinois, which is never easy, and then two of the best programs in the country, all on the road? That would be quite the handshake into conference play.
That has the makings of ending a season before it even gets started.
It is definitely a step up in class for Penn State compared to their schedule this year, where their toughest game is either a home battle against USC or a road trip to the Big House.
There are two main takeaways from this release for me. The first is that the Big Ten is absolutely loaded, and it is very deep. It is that way right now, and it certainly feels like it is going to be that way for a very long time.
The second is that Penn State better take advantage of its schedule in 2026 before it gets really real next year. Unfortunately for Matt Campbell, there can be no slip-ups; there can be no rookie mistakes.
The Nittany Lions have to win, and they have to win right now because it isn't going to get any easier in the future.
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