Penn State football ranked No. 17 in preseason coaches poll as Matt Campbell begins tenure

The 2026 preseason Coaches Poll placed Penn State at No. 17, marking the first time a first‑year head coach inherits a ranked team. Matt Campbell, hired from Iowa State, will lead the Nittany Lions into his debut season on Sept. 5 against Marshall at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions face three ranked opponents this year – trips to Michigan and Washington and a home game versus USC.

Campbell’s roster is heavily rebuilt, with 55 new players including 40 transfers, 24 of whom came from his former Iowa State squad. The influx of newcomers gives him a month to forge cohesion before the season opener. The poll shows Penn State sixth among the eight Big Ten teams in the Top 25, trailing conference leader Ohio State (No. 1) and Oregon (No. 2).