Matt Campbell's Happy Valley culture shift coincides with favorable Penn State schedule
By dodging Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana, Matt Campbell inherits a favorable schedule to launch his tenure in Happy Valley.
Former Iowa State coach Matt Campbell finds himself with an ideal situation to kick off his first season at Penn State. The Nittany Lions are avoiding key Big Ten rivals Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana, all of whom are perennial conference champions and CFP contenders. Campbell, known for his emphasis on senior leadership, has praised the team's senior players, stating they have been invaluable in carrying the team forward despite the program's disappointing playoff performance last year.
The defense, however, has been a major concern, faltering down the stretch in the regular season. Campbell is particularly optimistic about hybrid defensive back Jeremiah Cooper Jr., who, when healthy, could be a key player for a defense that underperformed last season. If Penn State can win its games and potentially split against heavyweights like Michigan and USC, it could secure a spot in the College Football Playoff, even if it means missing out on the Big Ten Championship Game.
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