The 2026 season marks a new chapter for Penn State football, and it begins with Matt Campbell at the helm. After building a competitive program at Iowa State, Campbell now takes over one of college football’s most tradition-rich teams - and he’s got a real opportunity to lay a strong foundation in Year 1.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. A coaching change doesn’t automatically vault a team into the national title conversation.
That’s why FOX Sports’ early Top 25 projection feels like a grounded assessment of where the Nittany Lions stand heading into the season. Analyst RJ Young slots Penn State at No. 17 - just behind Michigan, just ahead of Washington - and pegs them for a 7-6 finish.
That might not sound like fireworks, but for a team in transition, it’s a realistic and respectable outlook.
Campbell isn’t coming alone. He’s bringing in some familiar faces from Iowa State, including quarterback Rocco Becht, who showed flashes of promise in the Big 12.
Becht’s familiarity with Campbell’s system could ease the offensive transition, especially with a player like former Ohio State running back James Peoples joining the fold. Peoples is still waiting for his breakout moment, and Happy Valley might be the place it finally happens.
Penn State’s non-conference schedule gives Campbell a manageable runway to get things rolling. The Nittany Lions open the season on Sept. 5 with a trio of games against Marshall, Temple, and Buffalo. None of those matchups are pushovers, but they’re the kind of games that allow a new coaching staff to find its footing before the Big Ten gauntlet begins.
And while the full Big Ten schedule hasn’t been finalized yet, we know some of the heavy hitters on the docket: Michigan, USC, and Washington. That’s a tough trio, but it’s arguably a more forgiving slate than last season’s run through Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana. Add in games against Maryland, Purdue, and Northwestern, and you’ve got a schedule that presents challenges - but also opportunities for Campbell to make an early statement.
Now, let’s talk expectations. A College Football Playoff run might sound enticing, especially when you look at the talent Campbell is assembling.
But in reality, this is a team still finding its identity. A 7-6 record, as FOX Sports projects, feels like a fair target - a season that shows progress, builds chemistry, and sets the tone for what’s to come.
If Campbell can guide this group to the back end of the Top 25 while navigating a new conference landscape and establishing his culture, that’s a win. And if they overachieve?
All the better. But for now, the focus is on building something sustainable - and the 2026 schedule gives Penn State every chance to do just that.