The Nittany Lions enter 2026 with a reimagined program but the same College Football Playoff expectations.
Penn State is 25-2 all-time against Indiana, which nevertheless will play in a College Football Playoff championship game before the Nittany Lions. The unbeaten Hoosiers, which needed a Heisman Trophy moment from Fernando Mendoza to, at least in August.
Instead, the 2025 Nittany Lions staff and roster has splintered across the country, with 50 players and 11 coaches, including Yet Matt Campbell still arrived from Iowa State with a manadate: to rebuild Penn State as quickly as possible into a championship contender. Campbell, who spent 10 seasons at Iowa State, has access to more resources and a broader recruiting reach but also more expectations. So when can Penn State reasonably expect to contend for a second College Playoff bid? And is the 2026 season too soon? Here's what to expect from Campbell and the Nittany Lions.Penn State Nittany Lions football coach Matt Campbell, left, and Athletic Director Pat Kraft pose during a news conference at Beaver Stadium. | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images Campbell and Penn State Athletic Director Pat Kraft posed for happy photos at Beaver Stadium in early December, after Kraft's lengthy search after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. | Ben Queen-Imagn Images), Campbell had to overhaul the team. Penn State lost 72 players from its 2025 roster, 50 of whom entered the transfer portal.Campbell also has received commitments from nine members of his 2026 Iowa State recruiting class, bringing more familiarity with him to Penn State. But as a result, Penn StateIowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht looks to pass during the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. | William Purnell-Imagn Images Campbell essentially imported his offense from Iowa State to Penn State, which is a plus/minus. Campbell and Becht, who spent three years together running the Cyclones' offense, have developed a trust and short-hand language that will ease the transition for both. Campbell also called that one of his biggest strengths at Iowa State. "To me, that’s been one of our great successes during our time at Iowa State is always being able to find a quarterback and develop a quarterback to be really special," he said. Becht will have plenty of familiar tools at Penn State, including his top rusher top two receivers and leading tight end . Then he'll mix in Penn State'sBut Becht and offensive coordinator will have to upgrade that offense, which ranked 11th in the Big 12 in yards per play last season, against largely better Big Ten defenses.USC Trojans defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn reacts against the Utah State Aggies during the fourth quarter. | Jonathan Hui-Imagn Imagesreplaces Jim Knowles, who liked to play three safeties and have his down linemen read and react. The former USC defensive coordinator likely will play more three-linebacker sets and prefers big run-stuffing tackles, underscored by UCLA transfers Siale Taupaki and Keanu Williams . But this defense will need time. Penn State essentially turned over its entire defensive line, losing 12 players to the portal and three to the NFL. Six safeties left, including potential starters King Mack and Dejuan Lane. Middle linebacker Amare Campbell, the team's leading tackler, chose to Smith's return as cornerbacks coach helped solidify that room, as Audavion Collins, Daryus Dixson and Jahmir Joseph chose to return. However, Lynn will be working with a new staff and a new depth chart at his alma mater, making Penn State's defense the centerpiece of next season's transition.Penn State Nittany Lions football coach Matt Campbell, left, speaks with Athletic Director Pat Kraft during a press conference at Beaver Stadium. | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images Campbell said he had the nation's lowest-paid roster at Iowa State last season and probably three-fourths of Penn State's budget. Asked in December how much more money he'll have at Penn State, Campbell said, "All of it." In Year 1, Campbell appears to be spending that money on repopulating Penn State's roster rather than targeting high-end assets. Becht was the highest-ranked player in the portal get a high-priced pass-rusher or recevier during the January portal window. That's something Kraft wanted to see more of from Franklin. It's likely to be something Campbell will prioritize after this season. "It’s great to have the money, but it’s using the money wisely," Campbell said. "It’s using the resources correctly, building the right team and knowing what you’re trying to spend those things on and making sure it’s about the right things."Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Andrew Rappleyea makes a catch as Clemson Tigers linebacker Jeremiah Alexander defends during the first half of the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Campbell became Penn State's head coach at the right time, as the 2026 schedule mirrors what Cignetti had in his first year at Indiana. Penn State does not play Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, Illinois or Iowa next season. All five teams won at least nine games, and three made the playoff. The Nittany Lions visit Michigan and Washington, while the home schedule includes just one team that won nine games. This is a playoff friendly schedule right out of the gate for Campbell. Not to say he gets Penn State there, but Campbell appears to be thinking about a playoff run in Year 1. Becht made that clear in an interview with ESPN's Pete Thamel after signing.. "He's got the resources and people behind him and a program behind him to do what he wants to do — compete for a national championship."Mark Wogenrich is the editor and publisher of Penn State on SI, the site for Nittany Lions sports on the Sports Illustrated network. He has covered Penn State sports for more than two decades across three coaching staffs, three Rose Bowls and one College Football Playoff appearance.Ranking Penn State's 11 Most Impactful Transfer Portal Signings
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