Penn State Receives Major Ranking Ahead of 2026 Season

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The Penn State Nittany Lions enter the 2026 season looking to bounce back after a rough year in 2025. Penn State made significant changes after a 7-6 season, firing James Franklin midseason and hiring Matt Campbell to replace him.

Campbell has had a ton of success over the past decade at Iowa State, posting a 72-55 record and winning three Big 12 Coach of the Year awards.

He has brought in a ton of talent via the transfer portal, setting the Nittany Lions up for a better season in 2026.

With the new coaching staff and talent coming in, Penn State has been ranked 29th on The Athletic's ranking of college football teams before the season.

This is a solid ranking to enter the season with, as it's just outside of the top 25. Campbell has the potential to lead the Nittany Lions to a bounce-back year and back to being a ranked program.

Penn State's potential success will fall upon Iowa State transfer quarterback Rocco Becht. Becht played well as a starter over the past three seasons. In the 2023 season, he completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 3,120 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while rushing for 63 yards and three touchdowns.

Becht played well in the 2024 season as well, completing 59.4 percent of his passes for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns, while throwing nine interceptions and rushing for 318 yards and eight touchdowns.

In the 2025 season, Becht completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 2,584 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, adding 116 yards and eight touchdowns rushing.

Becht is familiar with playing under Campbell and should be a solid quarterback for the Nittany Lions. If he continues to be an effective passer with a solid run game, he could lead Penn State to a bounce-back season.

The Nittany Lions will have their work cut out for them as they compete in the Big Ten against Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, USC, and more. However, Campbell has had a ton of success over the years and brought in a ton of talent to turn the roster around.

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