We now know what time and how to watch the Homecoming clash between Penn State and Wisconsin on Saturday, September 26th. Earlier today, it was announced via the official PSU Football social media accounts that the Nittany Lions will face the Badgers at Beaver Stadium in a 5:00 PM EST kickoff that will be streaming on Peacock.
Understandably, this is frustrating news for those who don't already have a Peacock subscription and don't feel like plunking down additional money for another monthly streaming subscription just to watch one game. That being said, games that air on Peacock also air simultaneously on NBC Sports Network, a channel that is readily available on Comcast Xfinity, YouTubeTV, and Fubo. So, if you already are a subscriber to one of those aforementioned streaming services, you should be good to go.
The last time these two teams collided was on October 26th, 2024, when PSU went into Camp Randall Stadium for a nighttime showdown that saw Beau Pribula step in for an injured Drew Allar after halftime and along with a pick-six by Jaylen Reed and some strong running from Kaytron Allen, help guide the Nittany Lions to a 28-13 win to keep their College Football Playoff hopes intact.

#Football #already

The Marshall Thundering Herd return to Huntington for their 2026 home opener Saturday when they welcome the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders to Joan C. Edwards Stadium in a matchup of former Conference USA rivals.
Sep 5, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (7) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Channel: ESPN+

#home #middle

Penn State players have been named to award watch lists all summer long for being the best player at their position group or showing resiliency in returning from injury. But the latest Nittany Lion named to a watch list is being recognized for his work on and off the field.
Offensive lineman Cooper Cousins has been named to the Jason Witten Man of the Year award watch list, an honor that showcases a player who has displayed the best character and has shown commitment to community, family and teammates. Cousins isn't just one of the more promising offensive linemen in the nation — he's also one of the best people in the sport.
He's done nothing but great things in the community since coming to State College in 2024. Cousins struck up a friendship in his freshman year with a 10-year-old boy named Gannon Kupko Jr. who is dealing with a serious illness. He also spoke at the 2025 Game Day Gala, an event for children fighting difficult battles like Gannon, and the function raised more than $3 million.
Cousins is one of the most important players on the Nittany Lions, and he's also a pillar in the community. It will be a treat to watch him continue to work this season and make a lasting impact on the community.
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#watch #nittany #year #lions

It was a game of firsts for Caleb Bacon. Not only was it the first game of 2026, but also Bacon's first game as a Nittany Lion after transferring from Iowa State, as well as his first game as a full time defensive end since switching from linebacker.
It's safe to say all the changes worked out for Bacon, as he was named the Big Ten's Co-Defensive Player of the Week for week one. Bacon made an immediate impact in his Nittany Lions debut, collecting three TFLs, a sack, and six tackles in the first half alone against Marshall. The Thundering Herd had difficulty handling Bacon, as he constantly provided pressure and wreaked havoc in the backfield whenever he was on the field. Bacon even had a sequence with consecutive TFLs as he helped to shut down an early drive by Marshall as the Nittany Lions defense held them scoreless throughout the game. It was Penn State's first shutout in a season opener since blanking Akron in 2017.
Bacon shares the honor with UCLA's Ta'Shawn James, who had two interceptions to help lead the Bruins to a victory over Cal on Saturday.

#first #tfls #marshall #week

The Kentucky Wildcats volleyball team faced another ranked team on Sunday night by taking on the 13th ranked Penn State Nittany Lions at Wrigley Field in Chicago. It could have been a tough match, but at the end of the night, the Cats stood tall, and got a fourth straight win 3-1 (25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 25-15).
Kentucky was led by Brooklyn DeLeye, who had 21 kills and a .319 hit percentage. Morgan Gaerte was right behind her with 16 kills of her own, and Asia Thigpen added 12 more.
The Wildcats also excelled on defense, totaling 23 blocks, with Lizzie Carr and Gaerte each posting 6 of them. Kennedy Washington added 5 blocks. They were also impressive all match at getting digs, with Molly Tuozzo out in front with 19. Kassie O'Brien had 48 ***** ists.
Next up for Kentucky is a match against North Carolina. They'll face off on Wednesday back at home in Lexington, with the match scheduled to begin at 6:00 P.M. ET.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky volleyball rolls on, taking down Penn State

#state #gaerte #volleyball #ranked

The Michigan Wolverines pulled off one of the most stunning wins in recent memory Saturday night. While there was some controversy surrounding the end-of-game scenario that added an extra second to the game clock and allowed them score a walk-off touchdown, the bigger story is that it happened against Western Michigan.
The Wolverines entered this year with one of the more talented rosters in college football, including five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood and four-star wide receiver Andrew Marsh. They began the season ranked No. 16 – two spots ahead of Penn State — but now that position will be reevaluated.
Michigan struggled mightily throughout the game, going scoreless for more than 50 minutes of game time before connecting on the Hail Mary. They ultimately pulled out the win, but that isn't the type of performance you want to put on the field against a far inferior opponent.
There is a chance the Nittany Lions will be ranked ahead of Michigan in the next AP Poll, and more importantly, that mid-October battle at The Big House could become the biggest game of the season. With the Wolverines being one of only three ranked teams that Penn State is slated to play this season, a win in that game could have significant implications on their College Football Playoff odds.
Obviously, we are only one game into the season, and a lot can change in the six weeks until that game. But with no clear powerhouses on the schedule, the Nittany Lions need to begin recalibrating what this season can look like if they take care of business.

#lions

There is a reason Matt Campbell wanted to bring Rocco Becht from Iowa State to Penn State once he took over as the head coach in Happy Valley. Becht gave Campbell and Penn State an experienced starter at the most important position on the football field, and that veteran presence was shining in the season opener against Marshall.
Becht passed for 271 yards and four touchdowns to four different wide receivers in Penn State's 45-0 victory over the Thundering Herd. With Becht leading the offense, Penn State put points on the scoreboard on each of their first three possessions in the first quarter. Becht took advantage of his existing chemistry that carried over with a handful of former Iowa State teammates like Brett Eskildsen, Chase Sowell, and tight end Ben Brahmer (all three caught one of Becht's touchdown passes), and he may have found a new favorite go-to target in Koby Howard, who had a game-high 161 receiving yards.
"I thought Rocco was really efficient today in terms of, you were getting eight, nine guys in the box, you were getting a lot of pressure," Campbell said when discussing Becht's performance in Week 1. "I didn't know exactly what to expect, and I think for Rocco to be able to handle that and distribute the ball, sometimes being a great quarterback is like being a great point guard, you got to be a great distributor of where the ball needs to go, and I thought he was outstanding today."
The success of the passing game, including when backup quarterback Alex Manske came in to relieve Becht in the second half, helped make up for a pretty slow start for the running game. Penn State had just 62 rushing yards at halftime and never seemed to find cracks for some big gains on the ground. The rushing yardage piled up a bit more in the second half as the bench started getting some time on the field. Carson Hansen led the Nittany Lions with 48 rushing yards and Cam Wallace picked up 47 yards once he got some playing time in the second half with the game well in hand.
A slow day on the ground from the starters didn't seem to bother Campbell too much in his postgame press conference, although it will certainly be something to watch in the coming weeks. But as long as the football is moving down the field, Campbell seems satisfied with the end result.

#state #campbell #getting

Penn State faced Marshall as a 23.5-point favorite in week one, crushing expectations with a 45-0 victory. They have now opened as Temple with the same line – as a 23.5-point favorite in week two over the Owls.
The Nittany Lions kicked off the Matt Campbell era with a satisfying shutout victory, with strong performances in all three phases of the game. Rocco Becht had a career-high four passing touchdowns before exiting the game early in the third quarter. Koby Howard had the breakout performance that Nittany Lion fans have been waiting for, catching six passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. The Penn State defense swarmed Marshall all game long, with Caleb Bacon among the top performers with four TFLs in a game where he seemed to nearly always find himself in the Herd backfield.
Temple also began the season on a winning note on Saturday, taking down Rhode Island 38-14. Former Penn State quarterback Jaxon Smolik was four-of-six passing for 57 yards and a touchdown for the Owls, while running back Keveun Mason had 192 yards from scrimmage and two scores.
Penn State will visit Temple for its first road game of the season on Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon with the game airing on ESPN2.

#temple #yards #marshall #nittany

STATE COLLEGE – Shortly before coaching his first football game Saturday at Penn State, Matt Campbell stood and surveyed Beaver Stadium while trying to soak in the atmosphere.
He didn't feel the formidable responsibility of leading the Nittany Lions weighing on his shoulders. He felt more thankful than anything else.
"It was really special to come out, watch our fans and watch what this place feels like," Campbell said. "You look up and see those teams on the press box (suites above the east stands) and you think about some of the great coaches and players who have been here.
"You're just grateful to have the opportunity to lead this football team and represent this program the right way."
Campbell's debut in blue and white couldn't have gone better as Penn State routed Marshall 45-0 before an announced crowd of 108,489.

#watch

Well, it's safe to say that the new-look Nittany Lions understood the **** ignment. In Matt Campbell's first game as the head coach of the Nittany Lions, he had his squad firing on all cylinders in a commanding 45-0 win over the Marshall Thundering Herd.
Quarterback Rocco Becht looked like the most experienced QB in the FBS, and receiver Koby Howard looked like a revelation with 161 receiving yards. On the defensive side of the ball, new defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn's guys were flying, led by spirited efforts from Tony Rojas and Caleb Bacon.
Here are the players of the game for the Nittany Lions.
You remember when Rocco Becht mentioned that he would try to get Koby Howard over 1,000 receiving yards in the year? They got right to it Saturday afternoon with Howard putting on a clinic.
Penn State fans have been begging for a star receiver, and they may finally have one on their hands. With 6 catches and 161 yards, Howard was the leading receiver on the day and flashed his elite skill set, with one of his catches from redshirt freshman QB Alex Manske being one of his highlight catches on the day.

#nittany #receiver #rocco #koby

As Penn State heads into its first game of the season against the Marshall Thundering Herd, there are still things they may be figuring out on game day. After all, with over 24 transfers to implement and a whole new coaching staff, things could look a little shaky to start the season. Still, Penn State will have a game plan they believe in and new players will be ready to showcase their potential this season.
Here are five keys to the game for the Nittany Lions this weekend.
The new-look running back room for the Nittany Lions is seemingly one of the most intriguing on the entire roster. Carson Hansen, the Iowa State transfer, looks to be slotted in as the RB1, bringing a more physical play style to the backfield. However, keep an eye out for Ohio State transfer James Peoples, who has had a fantastic camp and offers a bit more of a speed element in the backfield. Still, players like Quinton Martin Jr. and Cam Wallace will look to contribute as well. Penn State fans may be missing both Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen this season, but a plethora of options under Campbell will make this room sneaky strong. Don't be surprised if all four players get touches on Saturday.
As it stands, it looks as if freshman five-star Malachi Goodman will be tasked with the most key position on the offensive line: protecting Rocco Becht's blindside. While Marshall's D-line isn't the biggest of tests, this is still a step up in competition for the young O-lineman. That being said, expect Matt Campbell to give him easy reps to start. That could mean a lot of quick game elements, such as early screen passes or even play-action bootlegs so that Goodman is not right in the line of fire. For Campbell, it should be paramount that a player as important as Goodman will be this season doesn't feel overwhelmed in his first collegiate game.
This kind of sounds cliche, but in his first game as a Nittany Lion, Rocco Becht is playing with house money. While some fans will expect the QB from Iowa State who broke almost every single record with that program, we truly don't know what he'll look like come Saturday. Still, if Rocco Becht plays fast and loose, proving unafraid to challenge the Marshall defense through the air, then Penn State fans will start to believe that Becht could be the guy that can turn this team around. From what we've heard from camp, Becht has proven to be a great leader in the locker room and on the field as well. If that shows up on Saturday, the Nittany Lions might have just found a gem of a player.

#penn #look

Penn State football finally kicks off for the 2026 season this weekend and there is a lot to be excited about. The program is gaining momentum as a College Football Playoff contender in the first year under new head coach Matt Campbell thanks to a relatively light schedule.
That favorable 12-game slate opens with a matchup against Marshall, a team that the Nittany Lions haven't faced in nearly a century. Fans of the team likely don't keep track of what's going on with Thundering Herd football, so we did the work of scoring the opposition for them.
After doing the research, the most dangerous player on the offensive side of the ball appears to be quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson. None of his passing stats jump off the screen with 2,047 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. But it's his dual-threat ability that makes him frightening.
He also ran for 660 yards and added six touchdowns on the ground, so he can hurt Penn State's defense in a variety of ways. It might be a good idea to keep a spy around the line of scrimmage just in case Del Rio-Wilson has plans of running around Saturday afternoon.
Another thing to note about the Marshall quarterback is that he previously played at Syracuse. While he didn't see the field much there, it's significant that he has experience against Power 4 competition. Del Rio-Wilson will do his best to ensure that the Nittany Lions don't cruise to an easy victory, so they need to be prepared to scratch and claw for a while this weekend.

#penn #nittany #don 't

For the Penn State offense, the goal for the upcoming season is simple: prove that you can compete in the Big Ten. With a whole lot of transfers coming in, this will be the first time some of these players are put to the test. And perhaps no other offensive position group is under more pressure than the wide receivers, specifically Iowa State transfer Brett Eskildsen.
As the leading receiver for the Cyclones last season, Eskildsen profiles as a physical WR1 who can win on the boundary and show strength after the catch. At 6-1, 198 pounds, Eskildsen offers a speed/power combo that could translate pretty well to the Big Ten. Last season, he had 523 yards and 5 touchdowns in the Cyclones' offense, but more impressively, he averaged 17.53 yards per reception as well. As a result, he was awarded All-Big 12 honorable mention honors.
To start the season, Eskildsen will be up against a Marshall secondary that may be one of the more underrated units in the country. Expect Eskildsen to be utilized heavily in the red zone, where he can make key contested plays, and also in late-down situations where he can win. While Week 1 won't be a true test of Eskildsen's abilities, Penn State fans will hope to see a flash of a player who can revive what has proved to be a weak position group for the Nittany Lions in the past.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Wide receiver Brett Eskildsen a Penn State player to watch in Week 1

#penn #season #lions #brett

North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick led his squad to a 15-10 victory over TCU in their season opener in Dublin, Ireland. The hard-fought win allowed the Tar Heels to avenge last year's blowout loss against the Horned Frogs.
ESPN **** yst Kirk Herbstreit praised the program following the impressive performance on both sides of the ball. He pointed out the immediate turnarounds Belichick brought to North Carolina this season.
Kirk Herbstreit praised Bill Belichick and North Carolina after the Tar Heels beat TCU in Dublin, Ireland. The win came after a rough start to his North Carolina career.
Herbstreit pointed to the team's improvement on both sides of the ball. He noted the difference from last season's struggles. The Tar Heels finished 4-8 in Belichick's first year, which left many fans unsure about the program's direction.
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; ESPN **** yst Kirk Herbstreit before the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

#dublin #espn

MANHEIM TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM) -- Week One of the high school football season is less than a day away, and as we count down the minutes to kickoff, it won't be long before rows of players will stand on the sidelines listening to the National Anthem.
It's a time-honored tradition honoring the incredible sacrifices made by armed forces every day.
[sailthru_widget name="Sailthru Widget Block" sailthru_list="Nittany Insiders" ******* le="Nittany Insiders"]
Programs across the country recognize the military in so many ways, from the iconic Army-Navy game with stunning visuals and immense precision to Central Dauphin's Gold Star Mom Game.
Among the Military Appreciation Games across the midstate is Manheim Township's. The Blue Streaks wear special National Guard uniforms for a game every single season.

#manheim #every

HAPPY VALLEY, Pa. (WHTM) -- Penn State football announced themes for its home games this year.
The game that draws the most attention, the White Out Game, will be Oct. 10 when the Nittany Lions take on USC at 7:30 p.m.
For the home opener against Marshall on Sept. 5, the theme is the 11th annual "Stripe Out," where fans are encouraged to wear either white or blue depending on where they will sit.
The THON game this year will be when Penn State plays Buffalo on Sept. 19. Then, when the Nittany Lions take on Wisconsin Sept. 26, that will be the homecoming and helmet stripe game.
The game against Purdue on Oct. 31 will be the ALL-U Day game, then the Nov. 14 game against Minnesota will be the military appreciation game and Senior Day is Nov. 21 when Penn State plays against Rutgers.

#state #stripe #home

When Andrew Rappleyea was deciding whether to stay at Penn State or transfer after last season, he received a message from new Nittany Lions offensive line coach Ryan Clanton.
"Coach Clanton sent me a picture of one of our formations," Rappleyea recalled. "It was 14 personnel (one running back and four tight ends). He said, 'We need you here.' It was pretty funny. They use tight ends a lot. They produce them. They have good ones."
The Nittany Lions have several of them this season, giving them a deep group and perhaps the strongest position on the team.
Ben Brahmer, Gabe Burkle and Cooper Alexander transferred from Iowa State to join Matt Campbell, their coach with the Cyclones. Rappleyea, Finn Furmanek and Brian Kortovich remained at Penn State.
Brahmer, Burkle and Rappleyea will see plenty of time on offense; Alexander and Furmanek will see their share of action.

#rappleyea #burkle

A Nazareth, Pennsylvania native, Peyton Falzone was originally committed to Penn State's 2026 recruiting class, but he opted to flip his commitment to Auburn last summer. He remained in the Tigers' class until December 3, 2025, two days before Matt Campbell was officially announced as Penn State's football coach. For a moment in time, Falzone and Jackson Ford were the only two members of the Nittany Lions' 2026 class.
Falzone was recruited as a quarterback, but during fall camp, the coaching staff has him transitioning to tight end. He has added some muscle this offseason and has been working with the tight end coaches:
Moving back to quarterback in the future is still on the table, but the coaching staff clearly sees another way he can contribute to the team right now. Falzone is unlikely to see much playing time this season with a logjam at tight end, though the future looks bright.
Only 14 more days until Penn State's season opener against Marshall!

#falzone #only #until #Coaching

The countdown is on to the start of arguably the most intriguing Penn State football season on record.
Maybe the most difficult to predict, as well.
That's what happens when Matt Campbell and his new coaching staff must meld together 50 new players with a returning roster of mostly unproven commodities.
What to make of these Nittany Lions as they begin closing out preseason camp before the Sept. 5 season-opener against Marshall?
We've got some help for you in this latest Blue-White Tailgate Pawcast with York Daily Record beat reporter Frank Bodani, longtime PSU writer Mike Gross and former TV anchor Andrew Kalista:

#record #state #matt #campbell

It's speculation season in college football, which is always somewhat prescient, but certainly not always accurate. For instance, offseason expectations last year were that Penn State and Clemson were among the top teams in the country, and yet, the Nittany Lions fired James Franklin midseason and the Tigers struggled mightily.
With that, could Michigan football be a bit underrated entering 2026? Overrated? Or just right?
Both the US LBM Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 have the Wolverines ranked at No. 16 overall, and both have Ohio State as the top team in the country. ESPN is weighing in with its final preseason power rankings, and the maize and blue come in ranked one spot lower, at No. 17, in the country.
17. Michigan Wolverines
2025 record: 9-4, 7-2 Big Ten

#state #penn

The BSD staff recently voted for the top 10 Penn State players heading into 2026. The votes are dictated by how the players are expected to perform in the upcoming season, without factoring in long-term or NFL potential. Each member submitted a ballot with players ranked 1-10, with a first-place vote being 10 points, a second-place vote worth nine points, and so on. Up next is offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh.
As a four-star recruit coming out of Lightridge High School in Aldie, Virginia, Donkoh committed to Penn State as part of the program's 2023 class. After redshirting his true freshman year in 2023 while appearing in four games, Anthony saw his playing time drastically increase in 2024, appearing in 11 games and starting 10 of them for a Nittany Lion squad that ultimately made it to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Despite trying times in 2025, Donkoh played a critical role on the offensive line as he played in all 13 of PSU's games, starting in 11 of them, and notably stumping for Terry Smith to get the permanent head coaching job after the Nittany Lions waxed Nebraska at home on Senior Night, when the coaching search was still in limbo.
There's a reason why Anthony joined Rocco Becht and Tony Rojas in Chicago for Big Ten Media Days last month. In addition to being a highly talented player, he is also the most experienced returning offensive lineman and will help anchor the right side of the line. How the O-line performs as a unit in 2026 hinges a good amount on whether Anthony picks up where he left off from last season. Given his career trajectory thus far, it's a pretty good bet that he will do so.

#penn #state

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – D'Anton Lynn returned to Penn State this year looking to pair his passion for the Nittany Lions program with his experience coaching defenses at the college and professional levels.
Penn State's defensive coordinator was a three-time all-Big Ten honorable mention cornerback for the Nittany Lions from 2008-11. While wearing the blue and white, he had 162 total tackles, seven stops for loss, four interceptions and one fumble recovery in 47 games, while starting 37.
"How much he cares about Penn State is inspiring," sophomore defensive end Yvan Kemajou said.
Lynn is a native of Celina, Texas, and the son of longtime NFL ****** istant Anthony Lynn – the running game coordinator and running backs coach for the Washington Commanders.
D'Anton Lynn played one season with the New York Jets (2012) as an undrafted free agent, and one season in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2013).

#penn #d 'anton #lions #running

Landing quarterback Rocco Becht was potentially the biggest roster move Penn State made this offseason. Although there might be more talented players at the position, the Iowa State transfer has a wealth of experience in head coach Matt Campbell's offense, as well as football in general.
Becht had a ton of success with the Cyclones, but it'll be a whole new ballgame coming over to the Big Ten. The conference has some of the best quarterbacks in the country, with multiple NFL draft prospects, so Becht won't be as high up the food chain this year.
Paul Myerberg of USA Today ranked the signal-callers in the Big Ten heading into the 2026 season, and he had Becht at No. 7. There's a case to be made that he could be above a couple players on this list — like USC quarterback Jayden Maiava and Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover — but there is one bright spot.
Becht is ranked one spot above Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, who is one of the most talented players in the sport. Of course, his career hasn't played out the way most people expected to this point, but the Nittany Lions' signal-caller being ranked above the former No. 1 prospect in the nation is still shocking.
The Penn State season kicks off in about three weeks and Becht will have the chance to prove exactly what type of quarterback he is.

#above #penn #talented

The days of recruiting an elite group of players and developing them over the course of a few seasons are mostly gone in college football. There are still a few teams that operate that way, but building through the transfer portal is more of a viable option than it's ever been before.
Penn State will be one of those teams this season, with more than 20 transfers on the roster from Iowa State alone. At least one player in that group is bound to have a massive impact, and USA TODAY's Austin Curtright believes it will be quarterback Rocco Becht.
Curtright listed 10 of the most impactful transfers in the Big Ten, and while he didn't rank them numerically, Becht was placed among some heavy hitters. He became one of the most decorated passers in Cyclones history — finishing top-three in passing yards and touchdowns — and hopes that success will translate to a more talented conference.
Becht will have a familiar supporting cast with the Nittany Lions, which should help ease the transition. Wide receivers Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen, tight end Benjamin Brahmer, and running back Carson Hansen came over from Iowa State as well as coach Matt Campbell, so there should be a level of cohesion offensively.
Penn State has a lot of belief in Becht, and it sounds like Curtright does too. Becht has a chance to do big things with this team if he plays to the standard he set while with the Cyclones.

#penn #teams

The 2026 college football season is almost here, and Penn State is looking to wipe the slate clean from last year's disappointment. They didn't take the necessary steps to build on their first College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, but they're trying to leave that in the past now.
There has been a lot of love shown to the Nittany Lions in recent months when it comes to unofficial rankings and expectations for the season. Now, one of the most prestigious ranking systems in sports is back.
The official preseason AP Poll was released today, ranking the 25 best teams in college football, and Penn State came in at No. 18. That's about as good as anyone could've hoped for after the debacle that last season brought, and it's almost spot on from where the school was placed on the US LBM Coaches Poll earlier this month.
The rankings also give the Nittany Lions another reason to be grateful for their schedule, as they dodge the top two teams — Ohio State and Oregon. Indiana is the one other Big Ten team ranked in the top 10, another school that Penn State avoids, so there is a big opportunity here for the Blue and White.
This collection of teams will continue to transform throughout the season, but 18th in the country isn't a bad start for Penn State. Let's see if they can keep climbing the ladder once the season begins next month against Marshall.

#nittany #lions

The late rounds in fantasy drafts are the best time to look for under-the-radar players with a lot of upside and that seems to be precisely how ESPN's Matt Bowen views Washington Commanders rookie running back Kaytron Allen. Allen was named one of five late-round fantasy targets by Bowen, who said:
"I'd take a shot on Allen late in drafts. If the rookie out of Penn State can get some early-down carries -- and win the role as the primary goal-line back in Washington -- he'll have value in all scoring formats. Allen runs behind his pads, and his physical style shows up in tight quarters. That works when you need to get the ball into the end zone. He's a name to monitor through the rest of the preseason."
The sixth-round selection by the Commanders spent four years as the running back for Penn State, accruing a total of 4,180 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns in that time span. His best season was last year with the Nittany Lions. Despite their starting quarterback going down and head-coaching turmoil, Allen still managed a career-high in rushing yards (1,303) and rushing touchdowns (15).
Despite his strong numbers coming out of college, he was not drafted until the sixth round because of his perceived lack of speed and burst. However, someone with his power can be a good goal-line back, and that is where Bowen believes Allen's fantasy value lies.
Washington has a fierce running back competition going, and UDFA Robert Henry Jr. is giving Allen a run for his money after putting up 75 rushing yards with 6.2 yards per carry and a touchdown. However, just before halftime in their preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, it was Allen who got the carry on third and goal from the one-yard line, signaling that Allen may have an edge in the competition to be the goalline back for the Commanders.

#washington #Commanders #yards

Entering the 2026 college football season, Penn State continues to be a bit of a mystery or a wild card. The Nittany Lions have a reworked roster and a new coaching staff after a disappointing 2025 season, but a favorable schedule and a good mix of players from the transfer portal and returning talent make Penn State one of the more interesting teams to forecast. Will they be a College Football Playoff contender or a bottom half of the top-25 caliber program (or worse)? That remains to be seen, but the new season will be starting up soon to give us all a better sense for this team.
College football **** yst Josh Pate has become one of the leading voices in college football commentary with his fresh take and outlook on the sport. This week Pate shared his initial college football ratings, based on a computer model using stats and trends he and his staff prefer to use. So where does Penn State fit in Pate's college football model for the 2026 season?
Penn State is ranked No. 21 in Josh Pate's preseason power ratings poll.
"Penn State will be ranked a little bit higher than they are power rated," Pate said, noting his computer ratings will have the Nittany Lions scored lower than the team will appear in the traditional rankings. Case in point, Penn State debuted at No. 17 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll. The preseason AP Top 25 is scheduled to be released this week.
Teams appearing on Penn State's schedule that were ranked on Pate's rating system included No. 13 USC, No. 15 Michigan, and No. 25 Washington.

#pate

When looking at the Wisconsin Badgers' 2026 college football schedule, they couldn't have asked for a tougher season opener.
There will be no true home-field advantage on Sunday, September 6, when Wisconsin and Notre Dame head to Green Bay, WI, for a highly anticipated showdown at Lambeau Field.
From there, Wisconsin enjoys a pair of easier non-conference games, but head coach Luke Fickell knows every win has to be earned with this program.
Finally, the end of the month sees Wisconsin truly tested on the road as their first Big Ten matchup of the season is against Penn State.
After taking on the Nittany Lions, the Badgers only have two other daunting matchups.

#notre

Penn State's 2026 season will feature a completely overhauled roster following an offseason of significant transition. A coaching change led to a flurry of activity in the transfer portal, which led to a number of new faces on the program. We have taken some time to profile each player on the roster this season, but now it is time to dig a little deeper on the 25 players who will play the largest roles on the roster.
In a year with so much roster turnover with help from the transfer portal, there will be some notable players returning to Penn State's roster in 2026. One of the key players returning is nickelback Zion Tracy, who will serve as one of the defensive leaders for the Nittany Lions this fall.
Zion Tracy had a bit of a breakout season as he saw his role increase in the Penn State defense in 2025. Tracy started nine of 11 games played for the Nittany Lions, and he ended the year with 32 total tackles. That includes 5 tackles for loss, which was good for fourth on the roster. For a season with so many letdown moments, Tracy was one of the more reliable positive **** ets for the defense overall. He also recorded one sack and forced a fumble. He ended the season with five tackles in the Pinstripe Bowl victory over Clemson, tying his personal career high for a single game.
Perhaps the biggest question for Zion Tracy is whether or not he is equipped to be the top cornerback on the defense. The answer is probably leaning toward the affirmative, but it is a big test for him this season after some key teammates have departed the program to pursue opportunities at new schools this season. Those departures were replaced with some transfers, of course, but Tracy will be looked to as the mainstay for the defensive backfield this fall. Doing so with a new defensive coordinator and defensive scheme can be challenging even for a talented vet like Tracy.
If Penn State is going to have a playoff push this season, it will be in part because Zion Tracy is delivering big hits and coming up with key takeaways. Tracy will be successful if he is used correctly on blitz packages off the edges to create havoc in the backfield by taking down a quarterback or helping to blow up a screen pass situation. Tracy will be successful if he also helps create turnovers, either by taking the ball away through the air or knocking the ball loose for a teammate to pounce.

#tracy #season #players

The Washington Huskies have turned the majority of their attention on the recruiting trail to the 2028 class, and Jedd Fisch's coaching staff is beginning to set game-day visits for some of its top targets.
Among that group is three-star defensive lineman Elijah Willis, who is reportedly set to take an unofficial visit to Seattle on November 7 when the Huskies take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound product of Martin Luther King High School in Detroit, Michigan, is ranked as the No. 474 overall prospect and No. 48 defensive lineman in the 2028 class by 247Sports, and is also expected to visit Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Penn State, and Wisconsin during the season.
Willis holds ten offers, with the Badgers, Cornhuskers, and Hawkeyes all among the interested parties, as his recruitment could see a major uptick ahead of his junior year.
On film, Willis is an impressive athlete who plays on both sides of the ball, thriving along the offensive line as well while mainly playing right tackle. He routinely fires out of his stance and is asked to pull across the formation frequently as a lead blocker, which he does with good speed and fluidity.
On the defensive side, where he's expected to fit at the college level, that athleticism could help him develop into a disruptive pass rusher in the Big Ten, as defensive coordinator Ryan Walters most likely views him as a fit for his five-man front look, which is advantageous for explosive interior linemen against heavier guards.

#penn #lineman