UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The opponent may be different, but the mission remains the same.
On Thursday, it was confirmed that Penn State and Delaware mutually agreed to cancel their scheduled 2027 matchup. In its place, the Nittany Lions will host the Maine Black Bears at Beaver Stadium.
The Strategy Behind the Swap
Why make this change? In the modern 12-team College Football Playoff era, strength of schedule (SOS) is scrutinized, but so is the “body bag” game week.
Depth Chart Implication: The “Development Game”
Games against FCS opponents like Maine serve a specific function on the depth chart: Development.
- Reputation: Maine has historically been a competitive CAA program, but physically, they cannot match a Big Ten roster.
- The Goal: Ideally, this game (likely early Sept 2027) allows the staff to empty the bench. For the class of 2026 recruits (current HS juniors), this will be their first targeted opportunity for live reps.
Playoff Math
While fans often clamor for high-profile matchups, the Big Ten conference slate is already a gauntlet. Adding Maine ensures a “get right” week amidst games against Ohio State, USC, and Oregon.
- Verified info: The game is set for September 2027.
- Financials: Terms of the payout have not been disclosed, but typically these games involve a $400k-$600k guarantee to the visiting FCS program.