RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesCollege football is just around the corner, and the race for the College Football Playoff will soon begin. Several programs enter the 2026 season with new head coaches, giving their fan bases plenty of reason for optimism.
Penn State is one of those programs after firing longtime head coach James Franklin. The 2025 season ended in bitter disappointment, and now Matt Campbell takes over one of college football’s most historic programs. He also could not have asked for a much better situation for his debut season.
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CBS Sports named Penn State one of the teams most likely to rebound in 2026 . The combination of a favorable schedule, the program’s brand, and sweeping changes helped land the Nittany Lions on the outlet’s list.
Apr 25, 2026; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Rocco Becht (3) reacts during the Penn State Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images “Matt Campbell couldn’t have asked for a better schedule for his first season at Penn State. The Nittany Lions avoid Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon this fall, and the opportunity is there to reach 10 wins if all the new pieces mesh,” CBS Sports reported.
“Twenty-four transfers followed Campbell from Iowa State, where he conducted one of the sport’s best turnaround stories over his decade in Ames. The Cyclone transfer haul includes quarterback Rocco Becht, the centerpiece of an offense Campbell hopes translates quickly to the Big Ten.”
Big start to a new era?
If there’s one thing Penn State has working in its favor, it’s a schedule that could allow the Nittany Lions to make a serious run at an undefeated season. ESPN’s College Football FPI gives them a 2.5% chance of finishing the regular season unbeaten.
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The FPI also gives Penn State a 95% chance of winning at least six games and a 22% chance of reaching the College Football Playoff. That would mark an impressive turnaround for the Nittany Lions.
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; An announced crowd of 111,015 during a White-Out game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium.Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images Penn State’s faithful will enter this fall with plenty of hunger. Just two seasons ago, the program was one win away from reaching the national championship game.
After the 2025 season fell well short of those expectations, Campbell now has an opportunity to accomplish what Franklin never could. It may take time to fully restore the program, but Penn State appears well positioned to rebound in 2026.
Could that resurgence end with a College Football Playoff run?
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