After a bumpy 7-6 finish to the 2025 season that saw Penn State fall out of the Top 25 for the first time in four years, there’s a new era dawning in Happy Valley - and there’s cautious optimism building around what comes next.
Matt Campbell, the longtime Iowa State head coach, has taken the reins in State College following James Franklin’s 12-year run. And he didn’t come alone.
Nearly 40 transfers - including more than 20 from Iowa State - have followed Campbell to Penn State, giving this roster a distinctly Cyclone-flavored reset. Among them: quarterback Rocco Becht, defensive backs Jeremiah Cooper and Marcus Neal Jr., tight end Ben Brahmer, and wide receiver Chase Sowell.
Throw in former Ohio State running back James Peoples and you’ve got a team that’s undergone a full-blown transformation.
So, what does that mean for 2026? According to a wave of "way-too-early" rankings released after Indiana’s national championship win over Miami, the Nittany Lions are firmly back on the national radar - landing inside the Top 25 across multiple outlets. Let’s take a closer look at how the major publications are viewing Penn State heading into this pivotal season.
CBS Sports: No. 22
CBS is betting on Campbell’s track record and familiarity with his incoming players to pay early dividends. With Becht under center and a roster that still boasts top-25 caliber talent, CBS sees Penn State as a team that could emerge from August as a fringe contender - despite the massive turnover.
Big Ten teams also ranked: Ohio State (No. 1), Oregon (No.
4), Indiana (No. 8), Michigan (No.
9), USC (No. 11), Washington (No.
ESPN: No. 22
ESPN highlights the sheer volume of transfers - 39 in total - and the familiarity many of them have with Campbell’s system. That continuity could make the transition smoother than expected.
One key note: Penn State avoids Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon in the regular season, a scheduling break that could prove crucial. The spring will be important, though, especially when it comes to identifying edge rushers on defense.
Big Ten teams also ranked: Indiana (No. 1), Oregon (No.
5), Ohio State (No. 6), USC (No.
13), Iowa (No. 16), Michigan (No.
18), Washington (No. 19)
USA Today: No. 17
USA Today is a bit more bullish, pointing to the favorable schedule and the influx of key Iowa State contributors as reasons why Campbell could hit the ground running. With Oregon, Ohio State, and Indiana off the regular-season slate, the path to a nine-win season looks realistic. The publication also singles out Becht, Cooper, Neal Jr., Brahmer, and Sowell as players who could make an immediate impact.
Big Ten teams also ranked: Ohio State (No. 2), Indiana (No.
4), Oregon (No. 9), USC (No.
12), Michigan (No. 14), Iowa (No.
FOX Sports: No. 17
FOX zeroes in on the big-picture narrative: Campbell leaving a successful Big 12 program for one of college football’s blue bloods. The belief is that his system, combined with players like Becht and Peoples, can make Penn State competitive in the Big Ten right away. That’s no small feat in a conference loaded with top-10 talent.
Big Ten teams also ranked: Indiana (No. 1), Ohio State (No.
2), Oregon (No. 3), Michigan (No.
16), Washington (No. 18), USC (No.
Yahoo Sports: No. 18
Yahoo notes the mass exodus of former Penn State players to Virginia Tech - but even more Cyclones have made the trip to State College. From Becht to Carson Hansen and Cooper, the roster rebuild may not be flashy, but it’s built on players who know how to win under Campbell. And that’s the foundation Penn State is banking on.
Big Ten teams also ranked: Oregon (No. 1), Indiana (No.
3), Ohio State (No. 4), USC (No.
14), Michigan (No. 16), Washington (No.
23), Illinois (No. 24)
Pro Football Focus: No. 24
PFF takes a more tempered view, acknowledging the disappointment of 2025 and the reality that rebuilding won’t happen overnight. Still, Campbell’s history of turning programs around earns him the benefit of the doubt. It’s a long-term project, but the tools are in place to start climbing back up the ladder.
Big Ten teams also ranked: Oregon (No. 1), Indiana (No.
3), Ohio State (No. 4), Michigan (No.
14), USC (No. 15)
Sporting News: No. 18
Sporting News echoes a familiar theme: this is a transition year, but a manageable one. With a backfield featuring Hansen and Peoples, and Becht leading the offense, the pieces are there - even if it’s a work in progress. Not having to face Indiana, Ohio State, or Oregon in the regular season is a major plus.
Big Ten teams also ranked: Indiana (No. 1), Ohio State (No.
2), Oregon (No. 6), USC (No.
14), Michigan (No. 16), Iowa (No.
20), Illinois (No. 22), Washington (No.
On3: No. 14
On3 offers one of the most optimistic outlooks. They highlight Franklin’s exit and Campbell’s arrival as a clear shift in direction.
While Franklin had success - including multiple top-10 finishes - his struggles in big games ultimately led to change. Now, Campbell is tasked with rebuilding a roster that’s been completely overhauled.
Notably, he brought in D’Anton Lynn from USC to run the defense, replacing Jim Knowles.
Big Ten teams also ranked: Ohio State (No. 1), Indiana (No.
5), Oregon (No. 6), Michigan (No.
11), USC (No. 19), Iowa (No.
Sports Illustrated: No. 22
SI notes the sheer volume of Iowa State influence now embedded in the Penn State program. From Campbell to Becht and beyond, this is a team that may look different but could be dangerous - especially with a manageable schedule that includes hosting USC and avoids some of the Big Ten’s elite.
Big Ten teams also ranked: Ohio State (No. 1), Indiana (No.
5), Oregon (No. 6), Michigan (No.
11), USC (No. 13), Iowa (No.
16), Washington (No. 24)
Final Takeaway
Penn State’s 2026 outlook is as intriguing as it is uncertain. The program is undergoing a massive overhaul, but the pieces being put in place - from a proven coach in Matt Campbell to a deep group of experienced transfers - suggest a team that could be ready to compete sooner than expected.
The Big Ten landscape is as tough as ever, with Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon all looking like national title contenders. But Penn State may have caught a scheduling break, avoiding all three in the regular season. That opens the door for a bounce-back year, and potentially, a return to national relevance.
It won’t be easy. But with Campbell at the helm and a roster built for his system, Penn State is officially a team to watch in 2026.