Last month, Penn State found out which teams it will play in the new Big Ten in 2024. On Thursday, it was revealed when the Nittany Lions will face the likes of USC and UCLA.
The Big Ten unveiled its full 2024 slate after the home-and-away matchups were already announced last month, revised with the additions of Oregon and Washington from the Pac-12.
Penn State already knew it would host UCLA, Washington, Ohio State, Maryland and Illinois and visit USC, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Purdue. Now, travel arrangements can be made.
James Franklin’s team will open Big Ten play at home against Illinois on Sept. 28 — the first time the Nittany Lions will kickstart conference play at Beaver Stadium since 2015. Earlier this season, Franklin sarcastically said opening on the road in the Big Ten had become a “tradition” for the Nittany Lions. That tradition will end.
Penn State will host UCLA the following week Oct. 5 for the Bruins’ first Big Ten road game. That promises to be quite the atmosphere in Happy Valley.
Then, the Nittany Lions will travel to Southern California to face the Trojans. Penn State’s game at USC is Oct. 12, followed by a well-positioned bye week — giving the Nittany Lions time to recoup from their West Coast trip and affording fans a fall vacation opportunity.
Penn State returns to action with a three-game gauntlet. The Nittany Lions travel to Wisconsin on Oct. 26. Then, they host Ohio State and Washington on Nov. 2 and Nov. 9, respectively. That stretch could determine Penn State’s season.
Then, the Nittany Lions go back-to-back on the road at Purdue and Minnesota on Nov. 16 and Nov. 23, respectively. They wrap up Big Ten play at home against Maryland on Nov. 30.
All of this will come after Penn State plays three nonconference games: at West Virginia (Aug. 31) and at home against Bowling Green (Sept. 7) and Kent State (Sept. 21). The Nittany Lions will have two bye weeks in 2024.
For the first time since 2012, Penn State will not play Michigan. The Nittany Lions and Wolverines won’t meet again until 2026.
While Penn State gets USC, UCLA and Washington on the schedule in Year One of the new Big Ten, the Nittany Lions won’t play Pac-12 defector Oregon until 2025.
2024 schedule
Aug. 31: at West Virginia
Sept. 7: vs. Bowling Green
Sept. 14: Bye
Sept. 21: vs. Kent State
Sept. 28: vs. Illinois*
Oct. 5: vs. UCLA*
Oct. 12: at USC*
Oct: 19: Bye
Oct. 26 at Wisconsin*
Nov. 2: vs. Ohio State*
Nov. 9: vs. Washington*
Nov. 16: at Purdue*
Nov. 23: at Minnesota*
Nov. 30: vs. Maryland*
* — Conference Opponent
