Penn State is predicted to have a better season in 2026 than James Franklin in his first year as head coach of Virginia Tech.
Penn State and Virginia Tech aren't rivals, but they're going to be linked to each other in the coming years.
The Nittany Lions fired James Franklin after a 3-3 start in 2025. Franklin eventually became the head coach of VT.
While PSU took months before finally hiring Franklin's successor (former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell), the new Hokies leader was hitting the recruiting trail hard, flipping recruits from State College to Blacksburg.
Per 247 Sports, VT has the 24th-ranked class of 2026. Penn State is No. 87. However, PSU is ranked No. 4 in the transfer portal. VT is No. 18.
On3 recently came out with their ranking predictions for next season. They projected the Nittany Lions as the No. 14 program. Virginia Tech is projected to ascend to No. 23.
Chris Low thinks Campbell's additions will help PSU field a competitive team in 2026 that will be on the cusp of making the CFP.
"Matt Campbell is in, and James Franklin is out after 12 seasons as Penn State’s coach," wrote Low. "Franklin’s undoing was losing too many games against the best teams on the Nittany Lions’ schedule, even though he built a program that finished in the top 10 more times than not.
"Not surprisingly, Penn State’s portal haul has a heavy Iowa State flavor, most notably quarterback Rocco Becht. Campbell, after 10 seasons at Iowa State, is tasked with rebuilding a large chunk of Penn State’s roster, especially with 12 players declaring for the NFL draft."
Campbell will have a favorable non-conference schedule next season to work out the kinks in his patchwork roster.
Penn State will host Marshall, travel to Temple, and host Buffalo to begin the season.
PSU also has a favorable Big Ten schedule in 2026. The Nittany Lions will not play Oregon, Indiana, or Ohio State.
The toughest tests on PSU's schedule appear to be a Michigan program with a first-year head coach (Kyle Whittingham) and USC.
If Campbell can get the best out of his transfers, Penn State will have an outside chance to make the CFP in his first season.
Franklin's turnaround with Virginia Tech should take longer.