What with the recent Big Ten schedule releases, speculation has arisen over who could potentially line up to be Penn State‘s opponent for the White Out Game in October. That may have just recently been revealed.

With Penn State’s home slate not as daunting as last season’s, facing the likes of Purdue, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Rutgers, it seems as if the only marquee matchup they will be getting at Beaver Stadium is against the USC Trojans. That makes their West Coast rivals the early favorites to play in the prestigious game.

Penn State’s White Out game is always the headline act during the football season, creating one of college football’s most electric atmospheres. Last season, despite a loss to Oregon, Beaver Stadium was packed, with a crowd of 11,015 fans.

This year, Penn State would love to get a home win in front of their fans, especially against what looks to be the toughest opponent on their schedule. Luckily for them, ever since their transition to the Big Ten, USC have fared poorly on the road. In fact, in their two seasons in the conference, their only road wins have come against Nebraska, in a game inn which QB Jayden Maiava went 9 of 23 for 153 yards and an interception before leading a second half comeback, and a lowly Purdue squad.

They have faced some tough road games though, piling up losses to the likes of Illinois, Ohio State, and Oregon. This year won’t get any easier for them. Besides Penn State, they have to travel to the defending champions in Indiana and go on the road against a tough Washington squad.

What has been such an intriguing East Coast-West Coast rivalry is set to make a triumphant return….hopefully under the brightest of lights.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Potential White Out Game opponent revealed for Penn State in 2026