Apr 25, 2026; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell answers questions from the media following the Penn State Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Apr 25, 2026; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell answers questions from the media following the Penn State Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Home » News » National News » California » USC will be one of toughest opponents for Penn State in 2026
California

USC will be one of toughest opponents for Penn State in 2026

Matt Campbell is a head coach with credibility. He is more than capable of turning the Penn State Nittany Lions into a winner. He could not have been given a better Year 1 schedule in 2026. With transfer Rocco Becht at quarterback and Campbell, the expectations are high for PSU, which hosts USC. The Trojans could be the toughest opponent on Penn State’s schedule.

In a recent article, Bjorn Bergstrom projected that the Matt Campbell Penn State era will start with a 10-2 season. Here is what he had to say about his bold prediction.

Video Thumbnail

“In Matt Campbell’s first year at the helm after an extremely underrated stint at Iowa State, the Nittany Lions enjoy a very favorable schedule, missing Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana. While they’ll finish with 10 wins, a nice bounce back from last season, think of them more as an 8- or 9-win-caliber team.”

One of Penn State’s toughest games this season will be at home vs the USC Trojans. While Bergstrom predicted instant success, he still predicted USC to humble the Nittany Lions. The Nittany Lions may get humbled when they face high-caliber Big Ten squads, like USC, but right now they have what it takes to make their presence felt in the Big Ten in Year 1.

Contact/Follow @TrojansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of USC Trojans news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC will be one of toughest opponents for Penn State in 2026

Reporting by Micah Huff, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Image

By Micah Huff, Trojans Wire | USA TODAY Network

Related posts

Leave a Comment