Michigan Football 2026 Opponent Preview: Penn State
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When Michigan returns to action on Oct. 17 following a bye week, the Wolverines will welcome a new-look Penn State team to the Big House for the first time under head coach Matt Campbell. Perhaps no team in the country endured as dramatic an overhaul as the Nittany Lions — except maybe the school this staff and the majority of players left behind — and all this turnover has frankly been difficult to keep up with.
With so much change in Happy Valley, let’s get to know the 2026 version of Penn State.
Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Matt Campbell (1st season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Taylor Mouser (1st season)
- Defensive Coordinator: D’Anton Lynn (1st season)
2025 Record
- 7-6 (3-6) 12th in the Big Ten
2025 Production Ranks
- Scoring Offense: 34th (6th in the Big Ten)
- Total Offense: 85th (10th in the Big Ten)
- Scoring Defense: 30th (8th in the Big Ten)
- Total Defense: 25th (8th in the Big Ten)
2025 TL;DR Recap
The “year from Hell” doesn’t even come close to describing it. Penn State was expected to compete for a national title before firing head coach James Franklin after Week 6 and limping to a 3-6 record in the middle of November. Interim head coach Terry Smith would rally the troops to four straight wins to salvage some dignity, but the house wasn’t cleaned in the offseason, it was torn down and completely rebuilt.
Key Departures
- QB Drew Allar (103-of-159, 1,100 passing yards, eight touchdowns, three interceptions)
- RB Kaytron Allen (210 carries for 1,303 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns)
- RB Nick Singleton (123 carries for 549 rushing yards; 24 receptions for 219 yards; 14 total touchdowns)
- G Olaivavega Ioane (First-team All-American)
- DE Dani Dennis-Sutton (42 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles)
- LB Amare Campbell (103 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks)
Key Returners
- RT Anthony Donkoh (Started 11 games last season)
- LB Tony Rojas (25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks)
- CB Audavion Collins (47 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss)
- CB Zion Tracy (32 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack)
- Interim head coach Terry Smith was retained as associate head coach and cornerbacks coach
Key Transfer Additions
- QB Rocco Becht (Iowa State)
- RB Carson Hansen (Iowa State)
- WR Brett Eskildsen (Iowa State
- WR Chase Sowell (Iowa State)
- C Brock Riker (Texas State)
- TE Benjamin Brahmer (Iowa State)
- RB James Peoples (Ohio State)
- LB Caleb Bacon (Iowa State)
- LB Kooper Ebel (Iowa State)
- DT Siale Taupaki (UCLA)
- S Marcius Neal Jr. (Iowa State)
Preseason Preview & Record Predictions
Per Athlon:
“New coach Matt Campbell is positioned for a fast start in Happy Valley. The schedule is favorable, as the Nittany Lions miss Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon in conference play and key matchups versus USC and Minnesota take place at home. Also, while the roster is going through significant turnover (just five starters back), a handful of players followed Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State to solidify key question marks. Included in that haul was quarterback Rocco Becht, running back Carson Hansen, tight end Benjamin Brahmer, receiver Chase Sowell, linebackers Kooper Ebel and Caleb Bacon and defensive backs Marcus Neal Jr. and Jeremiah Cooper. Considering all of the transition, it may take the Nittany Lions time to find their footing. But if a revamped offensive and defensive line mesh quickly, a run to double-digit victories and into playoff contention is within reach for Campbell’s first season in charge.”
CBS: 9-3
CFN: 9-3
ESPN FPI: 9.0-3.2
Maize n Brew Thoughts
Even if this is just Iowa State wearing blue and white jerseys this season, the schedule gods have smiled down upon Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions avoid Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State, and have road games at (from easiest to hardest) Temple, Maryland, Northwestern, Washington and Michigan. With a cakewalk of a schedule that makes Notre Dame jealous, the matchup with the Wolverines is one Campbell will have circled because it could be the difference in a trip to the College Football Playoff or the people’s National Championship, the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
On offense, the biggest question mark is the offensive line. The Nittany Lions have an experienced quarterback in Rocco Becht and playmakers across the board, but with four new starters across the front, there are doubts about whether this unit can mesh to reach a Big Ten or national contender level this quickly.
Similarly, that’s where the defense is concerned. Between the NFL Draft and the transfer portal, Penn State lost 12 players across the defensive line. Campbell has been aggressive adding big bodies to the defensive interior and bringing over several key players from Iowa State. However, the Cyclones have not had a top-50 defense since 2022.
If the Nittany Lions cannot get a formidable front to challenge Michigan’s rushing attack or establish one of their own, it might be time to start thinking about blueberry, strawberry or — the GOAT — brown cinnamon sugar Pop-Tarts.
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