UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 26: Penn State Nittany Lions Linebacker Tony Rojas (13) tackles Wisconsin Badgers Running Back Darrion Dupree (6) during the second half of the College Football game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Penn State Nittany Lions on September 26, 2026, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Washington returns to Montlake this weekend for the first home game in nearly a month. Carrying momentum after a last-minute 17-10 road win over Nebraska, the Huskies, 5-3 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten play, face Penn State with a shot at securing bowl eligibility just two games after a decisive Iowa loss left many wondering if a .500 season was even possible.Penn State arrives in Seattle at 4-4 overall and 1-4 in conference play, but the Nittany Lions are arguably better than their record suggests. All four of their losses have come against Big Ten competition, three of them by one possession, and they are coming off a 31-17 win over Purdue. While the offense has been solid, the foundation of Penn State’s team remains its defense, particularly a secondary that ranks among the nation’s best. This game presents a classic strength-versus-strength matchup: Washington’s pass-oriented offense against a Penn State defense that has excelled at limiting explosive plays through the air.Defensive OverviewPrior to the season, I had predicted that Penn State’s defense would be among the best that we’d face in 2026.Long-time HC James Franklin is out, and former Iowa State HC Matt Campbell is now in Happy Valley. As a part of the new regime, Campbell brought home former USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn. Lynn, a PSU alum, is a rising star in the coaching world. After bouncing around the NFL, Lynn found immediate success as UCLA’s DC in 2023 before moving across town and showing promising results in his two seasons at USC. He has his work cut out for him at his alma mater though.Former PSU DC Jim Knowles left for Tennessee after Franklin’s firing, and he took many key contributors with him to Knoxville… What remains, and what was added in the Portal, should still pose challenges to offenses in the Big Ten. Returning 4th year LB Tony Rojas, flanked by Iowa State transfers Caleb Bacon, Kooper Ebel, and Cael Brezina, form one of the deepest and most experienced LB corps in the Big Ten.In front of them, PSU got big up front. Campbell & Co. brought in 7 players along the defensive front, 6 of whom weigh anywhere between 290-320 lbs. That size up front is the foundation of Lynn’s defensive strategy heading into this year. His blitz-happy defense that emphasizes both disguise and fast defensive play is predicated on a stout DL shielding the experienced LBs. Those linemen keep the LBs free to bring pressure and chaos from all angles.Between the LBs and DL that PSU will bring to Montlake, the Huskies might face their largest physica
