Penn State

Iowa State's offense relocated nearly intact: QB, OC, OL coach, lead back, and the top two TEs all came together, so install friction should be minimal. Identity is run-first out of multi-TE sets with Brahmer the featured matchup piece. Becht's shoulder is the only health flag; receiver top-end speed is the thinnest spot on paper.

Near-total rebuild: 19 of the 40 portal adds are defenders and only about three returning Nittany Lions project to start — and that assumes Rojas beats the ACL clock by September. Corner room (Collins, Tracy, Dixson plus Cooper) is the most continuous unit. Front six is transfer-built and unproven together; early-season run fits are the obvious stress point. Campbell said in mid-August that no camp injury has risen to the long-term level; S Jeremiah Cooper (2025 ACL) is limited but targeting week 1, and DT Dallas Vakalahi was down about a week.

Campbell brought the Iowa State operation east nearly whole — staff continuity with his own system is the bet, and the schedule (no Ohio State, Indiana, or Oregon) gives Year 1 room to breathe. Lynn is the one outside hire at coordinator and the early spring reviews were strong.

A program transplant, not a retool: 40+ out, 37 in, 22 straight from Ames. Continuity inside the incoming group raises the floor, but elite young talent (Coleman) and most of the 2025 secondary walked.

Barker back at kicker (18/19 in 2025; 33/37 career, never missed inside 40) and Lustig retained as ST coordinator after his unit finished No. 1 in ESPN FPI ST efficiency. Punter is new — Nwosu gone to the NFL; Mississippi State transfer Tiyce battling freshman Tenbrock.

As of Aug 17: The market has them at 8.5 wins (BetMGM) with a preseason AP ranking of No. 18 — back in the poll after finishing 2025 unranked — and a 6th-to-7th placement in the two Big Ten media polls. Zero Penn State players made the conference's official 12-man preseason honors list. No line is posted for Nov 28 at our place; kickoff is TBD.