The Big Ten has dominated college football's biggest stage for three straight seasons, and the conference is once again stacked with talent heading into 2026. But where does Penn State fit into the mix? Under new head coach Matt Campbell, the Nittany Lions are undergoing a full program revamp—making them one of the most intriguing unknowns in the conference this fall.

With spring practices now wrapped up across the Big Ten, all attention turns to the upcoming season. USA TODAY Sports recently released its post-spring power rankings, and Penn State finds itself just outside the top five, landing at No. 6. According to Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY, "The schedule is easy enough to put Penn State's floor at eight wins in Matt Campbell's debut." He also notes that the Nittany Lions miss Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and Iowa, while hosting USC at home—a favorable draw that could boost their chances.

At the top of the rankings, Ohio State holds the No. 1 spot, followed by Oregon at No. 2. Defending Big Ten and national champion Indiana checks in at No. 3, with USC and Michigan rounding out the top five—both of whom appear on Penn State's schedule this season. While the Nittany Lions may not be ready to challenge for the conference crown just yet, the pieces are in place for a strong debut under Campbell. Whether they can exceed expectations remains the biggest question heading into 2026.