Matt Campbell's Big Ten Test: Can Former Iowa State Coach Deliver at Penn State?

When Penn State hired Matt Campbell away from Iowa State, the message was clear: the Nittany Lions wanted a coach who could win the really big games. Now, as the 2026 season approaches, all eyes are on whether Campbell can do what his predecessor James Franklin could not — push Penn State past Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, and Indiana to become the dominant force in the Big Ten.

For Iowa fans, Campbell's track record is familiar. He won consistently in Ames, averaging over seven wins per season at a program not used to steady success. But he also lost both Big 12 Championship games he reached and went just 3-15 since 2018 against Power Four programs that finished with at least ten wins. The 24