Greg Sankey and James Franklin probably have some scheme behind the scenes. Only that could explain the surprising ease of Penn State Nittany Lions’ 2026 schedule. It’s almost getting impossible to believe the lengths they have gone to clear their biggest rival (whom they have played every year since 1993) out of their way without even playing them on the field. That’s like taking Michigan vs. Ohio State out of the regular schedule calendar!

For the first time, there won’t be an Ohio State vs Penn State matchup. The only 2 or 3 big names in the schedule are at Michigan, home vs. USC. Those are the big two. Washington is a distant third. And then it’s everyone else. The whole revolt was started by PSU insider Zach Seyko, who wrote, “Just glanced at Penn State’s 2026 schedule. If people thought this year’s schedule was ‘easy’ then…”

The absence of the Buckeyes marks a generational break, and while there’s no denying the fact that a new year brings different capabilities—teams down this year may rise by then the lack of PSU-OSU feels like a hole in the sport itself. Even more wild? No, Oregon either. The 2026 slate feels stripped of heavyweight drama.

The only person smiling might be Jim Knowles, Ohio State’s former defensive coordinator turned Penn State DC, who won’t have to face the firestorm at “The Shoe” in Ohio. For James Franklin’s crew, the road is Michigan, USC, Washington, and then a sea of mediocrity. That gap in scheduling has sparked some to call the Lions fraudulent, pointing out how this year’s nonconference cupcake run already drew skepticism despite the 3-0 start.

The true measuring stick arrives Sept. 27 when No. 6 Oregon storms into State College for the White Out. If the Nittany Lions are truly worth their No. 2 tag, they’ll prove it there. For now, Franklin’s team enjoys a bye, but the 2026 discourse has already set off alarms across the fan base.

The Penn State fan revolt

The outrage has been sharp, funny, and brutal. One fan cut straight to the bone: “No Ohio State, so they’ll probably be the most fraudulent 12-0 team ever.” That’s the nightmare narrative James Franklin must fight. Without the Buckeyes, every win risks being painted as hollow, no matter how emphatically it’s earned.

Another fan piled on, saying, “penn state be playing literally the worst non conference schedule ever year.” That stings because it’s not wrong. The optics of ducking heavyweights are terrible. Sure, Michigan and USC remain, but when the rest of the schedule is padded with teams that don’t move the needle, it feels like a soft runway designed to keep playoff hopes intact.

One lament captured the bigger picture: “Penn State and Ohio State not playing annually is a shame.” That’s the heart of it. This matchup wasn’t just a date on the calendar; it was a cultural event. From LaVar Arrington and Joe Jurevicius in the ’90s to recent duels between Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kalen King, it defined autumn Saturdays.

And of course, humor and sarcasm lit up timelines. “damn that’s weird,” one fan said, channeling the understated disbelief everyone felt when they saw the slate. Then came the laughter, almost mocking: “No Oregon or Ohio State 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Conference is a joke.” Sometimes ridicule cuts deepest, and this is exactly the perception Penn State risks carrying—beneficiaries of a kinder schedule while the rest of the Big Ten turns into a bloodbath.