The college football season is almost here, and head coach Matt Campbell proves more and more every day that he was the right guy for Penn State football's open position.
In an interview with Audrey Snyder, he shared that he has watched the last 15 years of Nittany Lion football at least. Focusing on the future while appreciating and building on the past has been Campbell's goal since he was hired, and he continues putting the work in to make that happen.
While 15-plus years of Penn State football might not show up on the field exactly in 2026, Campbell's dedication to the program sure will.
The Big Ten vs. SEC debate is a hot topic during SEC Media Days
SEC Media Days happened over the week and, of course, comments about the Big Ten surfaced.
Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz had something to say about the "cupcake schedules" the Big Ten has to open the regular season each year. When the SEC voted to schedule nine instead of eight in-conference matchups, he shared that he was unaware that the Big Ten wasn't required to schedule a non-conference game with another Power Four team (SEC, ACC, or Big 12) like the SEC is.
It's a valid point to be upset about. Penn State, especially, is a culprit of the cupcake schedule and having an easy three wins under its belt each season. What isn't valid is putting the blame on those three games as the reason why the Big Ten earns berths in the College Football Playoff when strength of schedule factors into those decisions.
Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban also shared his gripe with the Big Ten, dismissing the idea that the conference is overtaking the SEC in modern college football.
Looking at the facts, the Big Ten is dominating, unfortunately for Saban. The SEC is 0-5 against the Big Ten in the CFP in the last three years, all of which ended in the Big Ten being crowned national champions (Michigan, Ohio State, and Indiana).
No matter how he phrases it, no matter how many SEC teams are featured in the postseason, and no matter how many SEC teams knock each other out of the playoffs, the Big Ten prevails and hopes to continue doing so.
Rivalries tease reigniting and future rivalries get discussed
Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi is ready to get the Nittany Lions back on the schedule.
The last time these two teams played was in 2019, and Campbell should keep it that way. Penn State has won all but two matchups since 1989, and in order to get back into the College Football Playoff, Campbell needs to beat strong competition — not Pitt.
Even though the blue and white don't have an in-conference rivalry, that doesn't mean they don't have heated battles with other Big Ten squads. Since the start of the century, four-of-five biggest wins were against conference opponents. Some of those moments include the quadruple overtime against Michigan in 2013, a national title redemption arc against Ohio State in 2005, and Block Six against the Buckeyes in 2016.
Ohio State is one of the top teams Penn State could start a Big Ten rivalry with as well, especially with that 2016 win. It's not a deeply historic rivalry, but a new Nittany Lion era can introduce a fresh competition against one of the top teams in the conference and country.
If Penn State fans don't want to wait for a new rivalry, they can turn on Week 14 in 2026 to see Virginia quarterback and former Nittany Lion Beau Pribula face Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin in an ACC rivalry. The "Commonwealth Clash" may not be a Big Ten battle, but Penn State is sparking an even more heated storyline for this game.
More: Big Ten Media Days schedule released
The Big Ten released its schedule for upcoming media days. All 18 teams in the conference will have time at the podium (head coach and players). Here is the schedule for Big Ten Media Days and who will represent Penn State:
Tuesday, July 28: Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Rutgers, USC, and Wisconsin
Wednesday, July 29: Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oregon, Purdue, UCLA
Thursday, July 30: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Washington
Alongside Campbell will be quarterback Rocco Becht, linebacker Tony Rojas, and offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh. All three players were recently selected to the 2027 Shriners Children's East-West Bowl watch list earlier this week as well.
Add us as a preferred source on Google