Penn State is back in the win column, folks.

The Nittany Lions halted their six-game skid on Saturday, beating Michigan State in a dominant 28-10 contest. Penn State brought back the Land-Grant Trophy for the third-straight year and improved to 4-6 on the season.

Penn State is back on track to salvage a bowl game in a disappointing season that once had national championship hopes. Now that the Nittany Lions are in the final stretch, many had some hot takes following their first win since mid-September.

Terry Smith Is The Head Coach Of The Future

Oscar Orellana: I’ll be honest when I say I didn’t think Terry Smith was the guy going forward after the Ohio State game. I’m never one to fall for the interim head coach trap that’s been proven correct time and time again.

However, I love me some Terry Smith. He’s direct, passionate, and bleeds Penn State. But Pat Kraft is probably going to go with an outside hire, and I’ve made internal peace with that. It’s hard to quantify Smith’s performance so far just with the sheer absurdity of Penn State’s current situation. I do hope Smith stays with the program in some capacity, though.

Collin Ward: I love Terry Smith, and I would not be that upset with him staying on as the head coach. The guy bleeds blue and white and would put every ounce of effort into getting Penn State to the top.

While I have been writing and researching other coaches, I have come across a lot more guys coaching for their alma mater than I thought. There is a certain effort you put into a school that you understand and love that you just can’t find elsewhere.

With that being said, Smith is not a proven head coach, and Pat Kraft will likely look in another direction. While Smith helped with recruiting in the James Franklin era, if the recruits really thought that he was the future, they would not have decommitted.

Cooper Cazares: Smith revealed that Pat Kraft has not held a formal talk with him about the possibility of him being the permanent head coach moving forward. Although it’s unclear whether that interview is coming, it shouldn’t be ignored that the team and fanbase have rallied around the long-time coach this season. Smith needs to have a fair shake at the position, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Kraft goes with an outside candidate.

Penn State Will Make A Bowl Game

Oscar Orellana: Penn State is rolling with mediocre opponents on tap. I expect the Nittany Lions to win out and end the season on a high note with some postseason football.

Collin Ward: This is looking more and more likely. I just feel like there will be a slip-up at some point in the season. I think people are ruling out Nebraska because of Dylan Raiola, but they still looked formidable against UCLA. I also think fans are just assuming Rutgers is awful. The Scarlet Knights’ offense is built similarly to some of the top teams in the Big Ten, just with less talent. A great quarterback and two talented receivers have caused Penn State trouble this season.

Cooper Cazares: The Nittany Lions are going bowling for sure.

Although a six-game skid tanked its chances for a College Football Playoff berth, Penn State has looked very different these past two weeks. Jim Knowles’ defense has brought pressure, and Andy Kotelnicki’s offense has shown that it can stretch the field while also letting Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen grind out yards on the ground.

With Nebraska’s starting quarterback, Dylan Raiola, out for the season, Nebraska is less of a threat than it once was; however, the Cornhuskers should not be overlooked.

Penn State Won’t Struggle In The Transfer Portal

Oscar Orellana: While Smith has reiterated time and time again that Penn State’s culture trumps the current college football climate, I find it hard to believe that the program won’t suffer immensely in this winter’s portal window.

One player in Joey Schlaffer already left the team. As much as I want to believe Smith, I think Penn State is going to look entirely different next year, especially when considering a new head coach.

Collin Ward: I expect the fallout to be less than people are expecting. While I do think a lot, and I mean a lot, of players will leave. If Kraft hires the right coach, just as many players will come in.

I don’t expect an insane season in 2026, but with a very easy schedule, I don’t see a disaster season either.

Cooper Cazares: Smith made it clear that the players in the locker room are committed to finishing the season, including a possible bowl game. The interim head coach said that the players want to be there and that the Penn State football team will finish the season strong.

As with the transfer portal, it would depend on who the incoming coach will be. I could see many players making decisions about their future right after the announcement comes to light; however, there will be significantly more players who stay rather than leave.

Jim Knowles Has Saved His Job For Next Season

Oscar Orellana: Definitely.

The way this Penn State defense has played in the last two weeks is elite. If Knowles had the boys in this shape since the beginning of the season, James Franklin would probably still be in the building. Smith said he worked with Knowles to simplify the defense ahead of the Indiana game. Whatever the case is, it’s working. Knowles will be calling defensive shots no matter who the head coach is next season.

Collin Ward: I was never in the boat that Jim Knowles should be fired in the first place, so…

Cooper Cazares: Whether it’s his scheme or Manny Diaz’s, Knowles’ defense has come out swinging these last few weeks.

The pressure on opposing quarterbacks is something we haven’t seen since week one. Having more pass rushers on the field has limited production and stalled offenses, which was a necessity in taking down Michigan State with the season on the line.

We’ve said this before: if Knowles could find a way to either simplify or adapt his squad to a more effective way of handling offensive weapons, his job paycheck will be more than earned. If he continues this trend, the new Penn State head coach will gladly have him back next season.

Ethan Grunkemeyer Doesn’t Need To Play Well For Penn State To Win

Oscar Orellana: While his numbers didn’t pop out of the stat sheet against Michigan State, everybody has a different definition of “well”. I think Grunkemeyer played well and managed the game efficiently. Smith said the game plan was to feed Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton and get home on deep passing attempts. Check on all of those.

Grunkemeyer’s confidence has skyrocketed in the last few weeks, and he hasn’t had to do much individual magic for Penn State to be competitive. I think it’s less about Grunkemeyer and more about Penn State. The Nittany Lions made the plays necessary to help their young quarterback, and he avoided grievous mistakes and made solid plays in return.

Collin Ward: Grunkemeyer has to play well for Penn State to win. Well does not mean he has to throw the ball 30 times for 300 yards and four touchdowns, though. All the Nittany Lions ask is a safe JJ McCarthy-style game. But, hey, that got him drafted in the first round, so maybe that is elite quarterbacking play.

Cooper Cazares: Ethan Grunkemeyer completed 8-of-13 attempts on Saturday to beat the Spartans. With a dominant run game and solid defensive play, the redshirt freshman was less relied on to make plays. Grunkemeyer was still out there making explosive plays weapon, however, throwing a deep ball to Devonte Ross for a touchdown in the second quarter and hitting receivers on passing downs when needed. If Penn State can keep the run game going, the pressure is off the young quarterback’s shoulders.