The College Football Playoff is expanding to 24 teams starting in 2027 and the Power Four conferences announced their parting ways with conference championship games.
The path for Penn State football becomes easier, but it's not something that the Nittany Lions should celebrate. There are expectations on head coach Matt Campbell to take this team to where former head coach James Franklin couldn't: A national championship.
Now with the playoff expansion, there's no excuse for Penn State not to make it into the postseason. The blue and white should be one of the best 24 teams in the country.
Here's other midweek news and notes you may have missed around Happy Valley.
Mitchell Mesenbrink and Shayne Van Ness named Big Ten Wrestlers to Watch
Fifth-year Penn State wrestlers Mitchell Mesenbrink and Shayne Van Ness were named Big Ten Wrestlers to Watch for the 2026-27 season.
Mesenbrink (165 pounds) comes off an undefeated season that ended with his second national title, third Big Ten Conference Championship, and the Dan Hodge Trophy. He had 11 technical falls, eight pins, six major decisions, and one win by forfeit on his 2025-26 record.
Van Ness (149 pounds) went 25-1 overall in 2025-26 and was also the national runner-up in his weight class in the NCAA Tournament. He won his first Big Ten title last season as well. Van Ness had 10 technical falls, six pins, and four major decisions on the season.
The Nittany Lions open their 2026-27 season at home at Rec Hall on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. ET.
Matt Campbell hints at an unfortunate reality for WR Koby Howard
During his weekly press conference, Penn State football head coach Matt Campbell gave yet another update on the status of wide receiver Koby Howard. He told reporters that the team is "in a pause state" with Howard, re-emphasizing that he won't put the wideout back on the field until he's 100 percent.
When Howard sustained his injury in Buffalo Week 3, he was expected to return around Weeks 6 or 7 before the bye. That return date was postponed to Purdue and then once more to Washington. However, he remained questionable on the injury report and was eventually ruled out for both contests following the bye week. Now entering Week 11 vs. Minnesota, Campbell all but confirmed Howard will not be on the field and looks more like he'll miss the remainder of the season.
Penn State women's volleyball breaks Top 10 in AVCA Poll
Heading into the final three games of the season, the Nittany Lions got a boost in the AVCA Poll. Following their 3-2 victory over previously ranked No. 7 Wisconsin, they bumped up a spot in the poll from No. 11 to No. 10. The Badgers remain a spot ahead of them, dropping down two to No. 9.
With Maryland, Illinois, and Rutgers left on the regular season slate, it's unlikely Penn State will see improvement from the No. 10 slot in the poll. The Fighting Illini are the only ranked team left, and they just squeezed into the updated poll with a win over Indiana.
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