Last season, the main problem that befell the Nittany Lions was that while they had a soft non-conference schedule, they had to play during the early kickoff times in all three of those games. This season could prove to be a similar story, but with a much better opportunity to stack more wins. With the Big Ten releasing their early kickoff times, there is clear evidence that Penn State doesn’t quite have to face the caliber of opponent they did last season.
To start the season, the Nittany Lions will have a similar non-conference slate, with no primetime games to start the season. They have a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff in Week 1 against Marshall, followed by a noon game in Weeks 2 and 3. They will all be at home in Beaver Stadium like last season.
However, after the first three weeks of the season, their chances of a primetime game are slim after a road matchup against Northwestern that was originally scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on a Friday night. In many ways, that could help this new look Penn State squad in terms of them not facing much adverse pressure. Still, fans will want to be able to see their team more in several exciting matchups. Obviously, the White Out should receive primetime treatment, likely against USC in Week 7.
However, the chances for two or more could be decided by just how good this Penn State squad can be. If they are challenging for the Big Ten title, more games could be in premier slots for Matt Campbell’s men.
You can see the full Penn State 2026 football schedule for updated dates, times, and TV coverage.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Big Ten reveals early kickoff times for Penn State