It has been a while since Penn State celebrated a win on the football field. If you have lost track, Penn State's last win was over a month ago, with a Week 3 rout of Buffalo. The 2026 season, the first under head coach Matt Campbell, has certainly not gone according to plan in Happy Valley, and any threat of making a push for the College Football Playoff has long been put to rest. But the Nittany Lions are coming off a bye week with five games remaining in the season. There is still time to finish this transitionary season with some momentum for the future. First up after the bye week is a home game against Purdue, a team that has taken some steps forward this season under head coach Barry Odom.
Here are our final score and player of the game predictions for Penn State's Week 9 game against Purdue, along with some brief thoughts on the matchup.
Maybe it is hopeless optimism,but I think Penn State's offense looks a bit more consistent an formiudable this week. The bye week may have come at a good time for Penn State, as Rocco Bcht could potentially be getting his top playmaker back on the field with the reported return of wide receiver Koby Howard trending toward reality. Penn State will need the offense to be in rhythm, because Purdue is loaded with offensive firepower through the air and on the ground. The Nittany Lions will have a big test in slowing down Purdue's Fame Ijeboi, who has had his ups and downs this season. Will it be pretty? Not likely. Will it go down to the wire? Perhaps. Will Penn State's losing streak come to an end? Sure. Why not?
Final score prediction: Penn State 30, Purdue 27
Player of the game pick: Koby Howard, Penn State wide receiver

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