Penn State HC Matt Campbell Tries to Avoid 'Deep Trouble'

The Penn State Nittany Lions should be optimistic about their outlook for the upcoming season.

PSU enters the season ranked No. 18 in Matt Campbell's first year as head coach of the program. The Nittany Lions have a favorable schedule and will not play Ohio State, Oregon, or Indiana in the regular season.

Penn State won't play a ranked team until its white-out contest at home against No. 14 USC on Oct. 10. Campbell and PSU could have some big momentum on their side if they start 5-0.

When speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Campbell stressed that the team needs to carry the momentum they gained from training camp into the regular season, or the Nittany Lions would get into "deep trouble" early in the year.

“There has to be momentum, and there has to be growth,” Campbell said, via state college.com. “If you can’t earn that, then you’re in deep trouble. We’ve at least earned the right to have those things.”

Penn State dealt with that the hard way last year, struggling out of the gate before firing head coach James Franklin amid a 3-3 start.

Campbell said it will be a challenge for his team to do the right things when the regular season starts. He notes that half of the battle will come when his team makes mistakes on the field. They have to respond to adversity.

“We can script this stuff in practice all we want, but to do it in front of 110,000 people and have real adversity, you have to lead through it and fight through it,” Campbell said. “All those check marks are just a check mark. 

"It’s just another step closer to preparing yourself to learn and go. And I wish I could sit here and tell you we’re going to be perfect on Saturdays. We know that’s not true. How we respond to imperfection will define who we become.”

Penn State has a unique opportunity to win a couple of games against ranked opponents like No. 16 Michigan, No. 17 Washington, and USC to make a CFP appearance. Some early momentum could energize the program to make a run for the Big Ten and playoff.