Five reasons for optimism for Penn State after bye week

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Five reasons for optimism for Penn State after bye week

Christopher Sheppard, Nittany Lions Wire

Sat, October 24, 2026 at 3:01 PM UTC ·

4 min read

Tony Rojas

Oct 17, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Tony Rojas (13) celebrates a defensive play in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The fan favorite has proven that he has become one of Penn State's most integral players over the past half decade. Without him this season, who knows how bad Penn State will have looked defensively? The fact of the matter is the guy has accounted for five of Penn State's nine sacks this season, and is the first Penn State defender since the legendary Micah Parsons to log double digit tackles in three straight games. What he is doing for this defense is incredible to behold, and Penn State fans should be thrilled that he's still in Happy Valley for the time being.

A deep cornerback room

Sep 26, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Audavion Collins (2) breaks up a pass intended for Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. (13) during the second quarter of the game at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

A pleasant surprise on the defensive side of the ball has been the secondary, especially a young, feisty cornerback room. Audavion Collins ' name may not be mentioned a ton here at Nittany Lions Wire, but he has bee a shutdown player, only being targeted 14 times all year. Daryus Dixon is having a breakout campaign in his second year on the squad, with opposing QBs only completing 40 percent of their passes against him. Even the experienced Zion Tracy has been contributing with his versatility. And even the emergence of Josiah Zayas has been a great story. Penn State fans should be happy to have a young group they can rely upon to lock down opposing offenses for years to come.

The return of Koby Howard

Sep 19, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Koby Howard (6) breaks away with a run that would result in a touchdown during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bulls at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

One thing that has been evident about this offense is that it has been in a steady state of decline ever since Koby Howard got injured. While Chase Sowell has done his best to keep it dynamic, it seems as if QB Rocco Becht looks lost without him. And who wouldn't be? Koby Howard was proving to be one of the best wide receivers in college football over three weeks. Before his injury, he had 12 catches for 344 yards and 2 touchdowns, averaging 28.7 yards per catch. Without that explosiveness, the offense has struggled mightily. While we still don't know the timeline for his return, Penn State fans will have to feel much better about the offense once he gets back on the field.

Favorable schedule

Oct 10, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lion fans cheer during the third quarter against the Southern California Trojans at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

I know it may not seem that way now, considering Penn State had an easy schedule before this point in the season, but their chances of a solid bowl game stem from the fact they don't have many challenges left on their schedule. Next week, they welcome Purdue to Beaver Stadium, and after two potentially interesting tests, they play both Rutgers and Maryland , the two bottom dwellers of the Big Ten. Both of their head coaches could be gone by then, and by that time, Matt Campbell may have settled into coaching easier games in the Big Ten. Still, it's important to note that nothing has come easy for Penn State this year.

One-score games will eventually swing their way

Hearkening back to the start of this article, it's not like all of the losses were completely bad. Specifically when it came to the Wisconsin and Michigan games, they just felt like games in which there was better execution in key moments. In fact, Penn State had dominated both games in the first half, only to lose a grip of them in the second half. Chances are if Penn Stat can find a way to play a complete football game, they'll be on the end of some of these results as the victor.