Happy Friday, folks!

Penn State football is set to take on Northwestern in the debut of the New Ryan Field as it attempts to come back from a disappointing 24-20 loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten opener.

The Nittany Lions are still without star wide receiver Koby Howard as they navigate their first conference away trip of the season.

The Wildcats are 2-1 in 2026 so far, with an impressive 41-7 beatdown of Colorado and a one-possession loss to No. 6 Indiana. Fourth-year head coach David Braun leads Northwestern.

Here’s what our staff thinks the Nittany Lions will do in their second Big Ten contest of the season.

Brandon Collica (2-1): Penn State 20, Northwestern 16

The Nittany Lions got a reality check last week against the Badgers and will want to rebound in Chicago.

Northwestern is coming off a close loss to the reigning national champions.

All signs point towards the Wildcats with the 2.5-point upset. I’m backing Penn State to win a close one and get back in the win column.

Brian Kriley (3-1): Penn State 27, Northwestern 13

I’m immensely disappointed in the Nittany Lions after last week’s heartbreak.

Despite this, I’m more optimistic that things will go better for the boys in the blue and white this time around.

Penn State’s defense is still awesome and should keep Northwestern’s offense at bay, for the most part. Like many fans, I’m more intrigued by how well the offense responds after one of the more lackluster performances I’ve ever had the displeasure of witnessing with my own two eyes.

However, I have faith that the offense will be more efficient this time around, particularly through the air. I think going up against a Tim McGarigle defense is actually a good thing for Rocco Becht.

McGarigle loves his middle-of-the-field open coverages, and Becht loves to zip digs over the middle that should be open against a high volume of Cover 2 and Cover 4.

I think the Nittany Lions get the bad taste of Homecoming out of their mouths quickly and look much more aligned with the original beliefs we all had for this team on Friday night.

Christopher Green (0-1): Penn State 24, Northwestern 27

I believe not having Howard will hurt Penn State.

The Nittany Lions will lead going into the half, but Northwestern will be the hungrier team in the second half and come out victorious in front of a sold-out New Ryan Field crowd.

Cooper Allmaras (0-1): Penn State 14, Northwestern 13

I think after the rough loss, Penn State might feel lost going into this trap game.

It also might be sluggish for most of the game. But I think the Nittany Lions will flip the script for the second half and rally through to just pull out a close win in a tough environment.

Emery Molnar (0-0): Penn State 23, Northwestern 20

While the offense will continue to struggle without Howard, the defense will do enough to get the Nittany Lions over the line and earn their first Big Ten victory.

Gabriel Alpher (0-0): Penn State 24, Northwestern 21

Northwestern is coming off a really solid outing against Indiana and will be hosting the Nittany Lions in its new arena. The nerves will be high.

Penn State’s defense will carry the Nittany Lions over the Wildcats, bouncing back from last week’s loss to Wisconsin.

Holden Mostofsky (3-1): Penn State 28, Northwestern 16

I think Penn State will bounce back against Northwestern.

The Wildcats had an impressive game against Indiana last week, despite losing.

However, I think the Nittany Lions will fix some offensive mistakes and secure a win. Don’t freak out after one loss, folks.

Ian Becker (0-1): Penn State 24, Northwestern 17

This game is a must-win for the Nittany Lions, and most factors point to a Northwestern victory: it’s its first game in its new stadium, the Wildcats almost pulled off an upset last week against Indiana, and Penn State just suffered an embarrassing loss.

All that said, I believe Matt Campbell will light a fire under his players, leading to a bounce-back performance for Penn State.

Jake Speicher (0-1): Penn State 14, Northwestern 24

Friday night game plus opening night at the new Northwestern stadium means the Wildcats will be loud and active. It feels like a perfect storm for more disappointment, even if adjustments are made on Penn State’s end.

Karlee Feger (2-1): Penn State 35, Northwestern 10

I think the Nittany Lions need a big redemption week. They’ll deliver in Chicago.

Michael Zeno (3-1): Penn State 24, Northwestern 17

Eerie similarities to last year, when a perplexing loss to a team you were supposed to handle had the chance to bleed into a game against Northwestern.

Add in the fact that you’re going into a big question mark of an environment at the New Ryan Field.

It’s a big litmus-test game for the Campbell era to not let bad losses bleed over. I’m not gonna buy that the season has gone off the rails until I see the train itself fall over.

Tadhg Gorman (0-1): Penn State 35, Northwestern 31

Must-win for the Nittany Lions. They better get it done.

Tyler Eyerman (0-0): Penn State 21, Northwestern 17

With how last year’s Northwestern game went, I think they’ll play us close, but Campbell bounces back. The run game finally emerges as well.

Zach Paulhamus (0-1): Penn State 24, Northwestern 21

Northwestern hangs around just long enough to make us all miserable.

Penn State eventually remembers the end zone exists and escapes New Ryan Field with a win. Sounds about right.

Cadyn Gill (3-1): Penn State 28, Northwestern 23

Truthfully, after that coaching disaster class against Wisconsin, my faith in this team has bled dry, but for Campbell’s sake, I’m going to pick Penn State to win.

Yeah, yeah, New Ryan Field is brand-spanking-new, but 35,000 people is laughable compared to Beaver Stadium. I’m not worried about the road environment, but I am worried about the Nittany Lions’ offense, which hasn’t shown an identity in four weeks.

Let’s get the tight ends involved this week and get Rocco Becht back in a rhythm.

Jamie Lynch (3-1): Penn State 29, Northwestern 23

It’s time to get out of a James Franklin mindset.

Penn State losing last week doesn’t have to equate to back-to-back letdowns. Campbell-coached teams have had a reputation for rebounding following defeat, and I believe this coaching staff will make the proper adjustments required for success.

I forecasted the Nittany Lions to lose to the Wildcats in my initial season prediction. But I also said the record next to my name would always reflect the team’s record.

Give me the blue and white to rain on the New Ryan Field parade and get this season back on track.

Oscar Orellana (3-1): Penn State 24, Northwestern 20

I’ve experienced my fair share of Penn State heartbreaks over the last two seasons, but I never really thought Penn State was going to lose a game. I had faith going into Northwestern, Iowa, and Ohio State all through last year.

This is the first game I genuinely think Penn State will lose in that same time frame. Northwestern is debuting its new stadium; the Nittany Lions have little to no offensive identity or consistency, and the Wildcats are not a team to overlook by any means.

Yet, I know if this is the game I choose to stop believing, it’ll be the game Penn State actually pulls out behind immense grit and passion. Give me the Nittany Lions somehow scraping by after an enthralling fourth quarter under the Friday night lights.