Where Penn State ranks in USA TODAY post-spring Big Ten power rankings

The Big Ten has been home to the kings of college football each of the past three seasons, and the outlook is once again looking promising for the conference heading into the 2026 season. Penn State may not be ready to give Ohio State or Indiana a serious run for their money in 2026, but the Nittany Lions are revamping the entire program under the leadership of new head coach Matt Campbell. That makes for a bit of an unknown for the Nittany Lions approaching the 2026 season. Is Penn State a bit of a wild card in the conference this season?

Now that spring football practices are in the rearview mirrors around the Big Ten this year, all eyes are shifting toward the fall. USA TODAY Sports took a crack at power ranking the Big Ten following spring practices. Perhaps to be expected, Penn State misses out on the top five; the Nittany Lions rank No. 6 in the post-spring Big Ten power rankings shared by Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY.

"The schedule is easy enough to put Penn State’s floor at eight wins in Matt Campbell’s debut," Myerberg notes, referring to Penn State's 2026 football schedule. "The Nittany Lions miss Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana and Iowa while drawing the Trojans at home."

Ohio State takes the top spot in the post-spring power rankings. Defending Big Ten and national champion Indiana checks in at No. 3, with Oregon taking the No. 2 spot. USC and Michigan, both teams appearing on Penn State's schedule this fall, are the other two teams ranked ahead of the Nittany Lions.

Kevin McGuire is the lead writer for Nittany Lions Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on