Future Penn State noncon schedules take shape with '26 swap
With the additions of UCLA and Southern Cal to the Big Ten for the 2024 season, Penn State football’s future schedules have been virtually torn up from a conference perspective. However, Thursday news from the University of Buffalo demonstrated that plans for the out-of-conference schedule are still being made.
Announced via press release, Penn State will host the Bulls at Beaver Stadium on Sept. 19, 2026. The meeting will be the fifth between the two programs, with Penn State owning a 3-1 record for the series. The Bulls’ only win against the Nittany Lions came in 1900.
With the move, a previously scheduled date with San Jose State will again be on hold. First postponed due to the conference-only slate during the 2020 pandemic season, the amended matchup with the Spartans was to be held in 2026.
Scheduling importance
Asked at last year’s Big Ten Media Days about initial co-priorities for James Franklin with new athletic director Pat Kraft, the Nittany Lions’ head coach indicated that scheduling decisions within the purview of Penn State were of utmost importance.
“It’s funny, but a lot of conversations about scheduling,” Franklin said. “You talk about scheduling not only to put your team in the best position to win the Big Ten, or to win a national championship, but also a schedule that’s going to allow you to get players experience before you get into conference play. And that has to factor in as well.”
The shift in philosophy will continue to be influenced by the new landscape of college football. The College Football Playoff is set for expansion to be implemented following the 2024 regular season. And, importantly, Penn State’s place in a changing Big Ten is also paramount.
The conference is set to add USC and UCLA as well as change its divisions format for the 2024 season. As a result, Penn State’s path to the playoff is unlikely to solely be dictated by results against Ohio State and Michigan every season moving forward.
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With the change to the 2026 nonconference slate, here is a look at the opponents Penn State currently has on the books for the coming seasons.
Future Penn State football nonconference schedules
2023
West Virginia – Sept. 2
Delaware – Sept. 9
UMass – Oct. 14
2024
at West Virginia – Aug. 31
Bowling Green – Sept. 7
Kent State – Sept. 21
2025
Nevada – Aug. 30
Villanova – Sept. 13
2026
Marshall – Sept. 5
Temple – Sept. 12
Buffalo – Sept. 19
2027
Syracuse – Sept. 4
Delaware – Sept. 11
Temple – Sept. 18
2028
at Syracuse – Sept. 9
