There was a time when Penn State was the college to play for if you wanted to be part of the best of the best in football. The team finished the 2025 season with an overall record of 7-6 and a conference record of 3-6 in the Big Ten, so their current stats leave much to be desired.
That’s why Matt Campbell is taking over. The new head coach joined Penn State from Iowa State University, where he was head football coach from 2016-25. At Iowa State, he was also the winningest coach in program history. That’s what Penn State wants to see him bring to Happy Valley.
Penn State gets an early vote of confidence
Well, Penn State fans will love this latest projection about their team. In a piece out Sunday, Fox Sports names Penn State the “dark horse team” for the Big Ten. Their experts believe Penn State will surprise people.
“An experienced coach bringing in 23 of his former players, combined with a very favorable schedule, is a recipe for success,” the article noted. “Campbell landed the No. 4 overall transfer class and the top class in the Big Ten.”
The big piece of the puzzle is that Penn State’s schedule is very favorable, and they’re going up against five of the Big Ten’s worst defenses from last season. Plus, a lot of teams in the Big Ten have new coaches, including Michigan State and Michigan, so there are question marks throughout the conference. It’s a recipe for success for Penn State.
