Penn State Football Tumbles to 14 in 2026 Preseason US LBM Coaches Poll
Penn State football, under new head coach Matt Campbell, starts its hopeful recovery season at No. 17 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, a significant drop from last year's No. 3 ranking.
The Nittany Lions' ranking is a contrast to last August when former coach James Franklin's team started No. 3, the program's highest preseason standing in 28 years. However, Franklin was fired in the middle of a six-game losing streak that turned Penn State into college football's most disappointing team.
Campbell and his new staff will open their first preseason camp on Wednesday, Aug. 5, and make their debut in a bigger-than-ever Beaver Stadium a month later against Marshall.
The new Top 25 is led by three Big Teams in No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Oregon, and No. 6 and defending national champion Indiana. Other Big Ten teams in the poll include USC (14th), Michigan (16th), Washington (19th), and Iowa (22nd).
The Nittany Lions will be led by senior quarterback Rocco Becht, one of an unprecedented 40 transfers, who will help overhaul the roster. More than half of those followed Campbell from Iowa State, including expected big contributors on offense.
New defensive coordinator and Penn State alum D'Anton Lynn will feature larger bodies up front, a remade linebacker group led by returning All-America candidate Tony Rojas, and a deep and versatile secondary.
At least there is this: Campbell said last week at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago that his team begins camp in exceptional good health, even for those easing back into action from injuries.
The Lions will open the season as overwhelming favorites against non-conference opponents Marshall (Sept. 5), at Temple (Sept. 12), and Buffalo (Sept. 19). Their toughest tests will be expected in the potential White Out game against USC (Oct. 10) and in road games at Michigan (Oct. 17) and Washington (Nov. 7).
Penn State football's schedule for 2026 includes several challenging games, with a majority of times to be determined at a later date.
Sept. 5 vs. Marshall, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Temple, noon
Sept. 19 vs. Buffalo, noon
Sept. 26 vs. Wisconsin
Oct. 2 at Northwestern, 8 p.m.
Oct. 10 vs. USC
Oct. 17 at Michigan
Oct. 24 OFF
Oct. 31 vs. Purdue
Nov. 7 at Washington
Nov. 14 vs Minnesota
Nov. 21 vs. Rutgers
Nov. 28 at Maryland
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
Source: Yahoo Sports