What does Pick Six Previews think about Penn State entering the 2026 season?

Pick Six Previews put out its annual preseason publication on Monday. Its creator, Brett Ciancia, is among the most accurate preseason predictors in the industry. Thus, it’s always interesting to give a July look at what he thinks about the newest Penn State team. Pick Six Previews has the Lions as the No. 6 team in the Big Ten, and projects it to finish in a tie with Washington. It also has Penn State as the No. 20 team overall. Tight end Ben Brahmer is the only All-American pick. He earns a spot on the second team after finishing as a Mackey Award semifinalist in 2025. As for the All-Transfer team, Brahmer is on it as the lone tight end representative, as well. Moving on to the Pick Six Previews All-Big Ten teams, Brahmer is a first-team pick while offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh and running back Carson Hansen are both third-team selections. Flipping over to the defense, safety Marcus Neal is the Lions’ lone selection. He is on the third team. Last but not least, when it comes to Big Ten position rankings, Penn State falls into the following slots: Quarterback: 5 Running back: 7 Wide receiver/tight end: 5 Offensive line: 8 Defensive line: 10 Linebackers: 6 Defensive backs: 8 “Campbell finally left Iowa State and brought 13 starters with him to Happy Valley,” Ciancia writes. “It’s a roster transfusion, as most of the 2025 Penn State star power went pro or transferred out. They get a schedule boost by avoiding the Playoff trio and instead draw five of the bottom seven. The talent level is behind the league’s super-recruiters but this favorable schedule keeps Penn State in the race for Indianapolis.” You can purchase the digital-only and/or combo pack with a digital version and hard-copy magazine of the 2026 Pick Six Previews here. What to make of the Penn State predictions in the 2026 Pick Six Previews Like most fans, college football observers, and media pundits, Ciancia sees Penn State as an upper-tier Big Ten team that will absolutely make a bowl game and could even be on the fringe of the College Football Playoff conversation but not ultimately in it. He, like others, has some questions it seems about the Lions’ overall talent, but as he notes, it’s a good enough roster to keep the Lions in contention when you compare it with who they play (and more importantly, don’t, in 2026).