Penn State begins Campbell era against Marshall in Week 1

No. 18 Penn State will host Marshall on Saturday in a Week 1 college football matchup broadcast on FS1, opening a new phase for the Nittany Lions under head coach Matt Campbell.

Campbell arrives after leading Iowa State to a 72–55 record across 127 games, including a 19–7 mark over the previous two seasons. He is also reunited with quarterback Rocco Becht, who started 39 games for Iowa State between 2023 and 2025.

Penn State has more than 50 new players from last season, including 18 defensive transfers under new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn. FOX Sports Research points to Lynn’s previous defensive improvements at UCLA and USC in assessing the unit’s prospects.

Marshall enters the second year of Tony Gibson’s tenure after finishing 5–7 in 2025. Quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson returns after recording 2,043 passing yards and 660 rushing yards last season.

FOX Sports’ prediction is for Marshall to cover the spread, with the publication also suggesting a small moneyline wager. The supplied material does not include the current betting figures, which may change.