The Matt Campbell era of Penn State football starts this Saturday afternoon against Marshall at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions will also be sporting their new Adidas jerseys as they begin their road toward the College Football Playoff.
With a new head coach, a new look and plenty of expectations surrounding the program, here is how I think Penn State’s 2026 season will play out.
Game 1: vs. Marshall
In Week 1, the Nittany Lions start the season against a Marshall team that went 5-7 last season. The Thundering Herd struggled last year and did not make much of a splash in the transfer portal.
Marshall is not a premier college football program, and Penn State should handle business on opening weekend. If the Nittany Lions somehow stumble in this game, Matt Campbell would face immediate pressure to start his tenure in Happy Valley.
Prediction: Penn State win
Game 2: at Temple
The Nittany Lions make the three-hour trip down to Lincoln Financial Field to take on the Temple Owls.
Temple’s program has struggled since Matt Rhule left in 2016. That was the last time the Owls won double-digit games. They also have not had a winning record or made a bowl game since 2019, and I think that trend continues in 2026.
Penn State wins this one comfortably, and the game should be decided early in the second half.
Prediction: Penn State win
Game 3: vs. Buffalo
Penn State returns home for a Week 3 match up against Buffalo, another team that went 5-7 last season.
With this game being played at Beaver Stadium, I expect Penn State to take care of business pretty smoothly. Buffalo is a solid MAC program, but it simply does not have the same level of talent as Penn State.
Prediction: Penn State win
Game 4: vs. Wisconsin
Matt Campbell faces his first real test in his first Big Ten game as Penn State’s head coach when the Nittany Lions take on Wisconsin.
Luke Fickell’s squad went 4-8 last season but was able to bring in a solid transfer portal class. This Badgers team is somewhat of an unknown, but I expect them to be much better this season and believe they should be playing in a bowl game.
Penn State has more talent and, in my opinion, is the better football team. I think this will be a close game, but playing at home gives the Nittany Lions the edge.
Prediction: Penn State win
Game 5: at Northwestern
Penn State heads up north to take on a decent Northwestern squad that won seven games last season and dominated Central Michigan 34-7 in its bowl game.
Northwestern also brought in some talent through the transfer portal during the off season. The Wildcats might be turning a corner as a program, but they are still clearly a step below the Nittany Lions.
Penn State might struggle early, but the Nittany Lions should eventually pull away. They are simply more talented than the Wildcats.
Prediction: Penn State win
Game 6: Whiteout vs. USC
Penn State should walk into one of college football’s most iconic games undefeated.
The Nittany Lions will face what I believe will be their toughest match up of the entire season against the USC Trojans.
Lincoln Riley is considered one of the premier coaches in college football, but he has not found the level of success many expected since leaving Oklahoma. Riley will have his team ready to go as he looks to prove that USC is ready to take the next step.
On the other side, Penn State head coach Matt Campbell will be looking to fix the struggles the Nittany Lions have had in big games under James Franklin.
If Campbell wins this game, it could show that this program is headed in a different direction. What better way to make that statement than winning your first Whiteout?
I think this game comes down to the final possession. With a packed Beaver Stadium behind them, the Nittany Lions come out victorious, and Campbell proves that he can bring this program to a level it never reached under Franklin.
Prediction: Penn State win
Game 7: at Michigan
One week after winning his first major game, Matt Campbell takes his squad into the Big House to face Michigan.
I think this is a huge let down game for the Nittany Lions.
Michigan will most likely have a good football team, and I think the emotional high of beating USC catches up with Penn State. After finally getting the monkey off their back with a big win, the Nittany Lions could enter this game riding a little too high.
Going from the best advantage in sports in the Whiteout to playing in the Big House will be a task a little too tall for the Nittany Lions.
Prediction: Penn State lose
Game 8: vs. Purdue
Matt Campbell will not let this team slip up after losing to Michigan.
Penn State comes out with a fire we did not see against the Wolverines and takes care of business against Purdue. I do not expect the Boilermakers to be very good this season, and I see them having a similar year to last season.
Penn State does what is expected of them and dominates Purdue.
Prediction: Penn State win
Game 9: at Washington
A cross-country road trip to Washington seems like an easy task, right?
Think Again.
This is another potential trap game for the Nittany Lions. Unfortunately, I think Penn State looks lost on the West Coast and drops this one to the Huskies.
Washington might not be a good football team this season, or they could surprise some people. I’m betting they will shock the Nittany Lions.
Prediction: Penn State lose
Game 10: vs. Minnesota
Penn State returns to Beaver Stadium to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, led by one of my favorite coaches, P.J. Fleck.
The energy Fleck brings to the sideline and the way he operates is amazing to watch. Sadly for him and his football team, I don’t think it will be enough against the Nittany Lions.
Penn State operates on a different level than the Golden Gophers, and I think that will show late in the season.
Prediction: Penn State win
Game 11: vs. Rutgers
Rutgers, where do I begin?
The Scarlet Knights have struggled, and I don’t expect them to be playing great football this season.
Penn State should use this game as an opportunity to handle business early and get its starters some rest in the second half.
The Nittany Lions are light-years ahead of Rutgers in terms of talent, and I think it will show.
Prediction: Penn State win
Game 12: at Maryland
In Week 12, Penn State has a chance on the road to win its 10th game of the season.
I think Campbell’s team comes out motivated and gets the win. That would set the Nittany Lions up for a chance at making the College Football Playoff.
At 10-2, however, I think Penn State’s weak schedule ultimately hurts them. With an unimpressive resume compared to other playoff contenders, I think the Nittany Lions just miss the playoffs.
Instead, they make the best non-playoff bowl game available and show the nation that they are a legitimate contender.
A 10-2 season would still be a strong start to the Matt Campbell era and give Penn State something it has been searching for: a foundation to become a legitimate College Football Playoff contender for years to come.
Final Prediction: 10-2