Matt Campbell is in a Win-Now Situation With Penn State — 2026 Season Preview & Predictions!

Matt Campbell's first Penn State football season is here, and expectations should be high in 2026.

In this complete Penn State season preview, Zach Seyko breaks down why this roster looks more like a reload than a rebuild, the identity I expect from Rocco Becht and the Nittany Lions, and the biggest misconceptions surrounding Campbell's Iowa State transfers.

Then we go through the 2026 schedule, including the defining stretch against Wisconsin, Northwestern, USC and Michigan, before making game-by-game predictions and projecting Penn State's final record and College Football Playoff chances.

Plus: team MVPs, breakout candidates and projected statistical leaders including Carson Hansen, Chase Sowell, Tony Rojas, Max Granville and Jeremiah Cooper.

What is your Penn State record prediction?

Photo credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Become an every-dayer! Subscribe to Locked On Nittany Lions on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lockedonnittanylions?sub\_confirmation=1

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

KALSHI
For a limited time, Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get $10 when you trade $10. .

Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.

Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/COLLEGE ! #squarepod

ULTRA POUCHES
Don’t sleep on Ultra Pouches. New customers get 15% Off with code LOCKEDONCOLLEGEFOOTBALL at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad

5-Hour ENERGY
Bring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https:/5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONittanyLions?sid=YouTube

Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege

Follow the show on X!
https://x.com/LockedOnNittany
https://x.com/zach\_seyko

#lockedonnittanylions #pennstate #nittanylions #pennstatefootball #collegefootball #bigtenfootball #ncaafootball #lockedon #weare #football

0:00 — Intro
1:28 — Why This Is a Reload, Not a Rebuild
5:27 — Penn State's New Identity
12:22 — Breaking Down the 2026 Schedule
15:43 — The Stretch That Will Define Penn State's Season
18:27 — What Everyone Gets Wrong About This Roster
22:01 — Expectations for Matt Campbell in Year 1
26:11 — Official Game-by-Game Predictions
35:39 — MVPs, Breakouts & Stat-Leader Predictions

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.