Matt Campbell begins Penn State tenure with favorable schedule

Matt Campbell opens his tenure as Penn State head coach with a schedule that avoids several conference heavyweights. The Nittany Lions will not face Ohio State, Oregon, or Indiana during the upcoming season. This arrangement provides a potential path toward College Football Playoff consideration despite the program failing to meet expectations last year. Campbell is placing a significant emphasis on senior leadership and developing a more effective defensive unit. He specifically identified hybrid defensive back Jeremiah Cooper Jr. as a key piece for the defense. Penn State aims to capitalize on this opportunity by securing wins against projected opponents and remaining competitive in games against Michigan and USC.

• 7:20 PMYahoo Sports — Matt Campbell's Happy Valley culture shift coincides with favorable Penn State schedule