Penn State’s football program entered the 2026 preseason conversation with a No. 18 spot in the Associated Press poll, a modest rise from the previous week’s No. 17 ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll. The Nittany Lions are guided by first‑year head coach Matt Campbell, who inherited a squad that finished 7‑6 a year ago and has now been reshaped by a wave of 40 transfers.
Rebuilding Ambitions Take Shape
Among the newcomers, quarterback Rocco Becht headlines a group that also includes running back Carson Hanson and a host of Iowa State alumni such as Chase Sowell, Brett Eskildsen, Amarion Jackson, Ben Brahmer, Gabe Burkle and Trevor Buhr. Their arrival signals a comprehensive rebuild aimed at restoring the program’s former competitiveness.
The schedule presents both opportunity and adversity. The season opener at Beaver Stadium will pit the Lions against Marshall on September 5, a game they enter as favorites, before confronting non‑conference foes Temple and Buffalo. In Big Ten play, Penn State will test itself against powerhouses like USC, Michigan and Washington, while steering clear of traditional rivals Ohio State and Indiana.
Defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn, a Penn State alumnus, has taken charge of a revamped front line and a versatile secondary, adding another layer of strategy to Campbell’s offense‑centric scheme. Veteran assistant Terry Smith and defensive backs coach Tony Rojas add depth to the coaching staff, while safety Jeremiah Cooper is expected to anchor the secondary.
Predictions place the Nittany Lions in the second tier of the Big Ten, a position that reflects both the difficulty of the slate and the uncertainty surrounding chemistry. Nevertheless, the team is expected to be a favorite in its non‑conference matchups and could contend for a marquee White Out game against USC on October 10, a contest that could further define its season trajectory.