FALL '26 Episode 2: Where's Your Head At?

With all the upheaval in Happy Valley and across the college football landscape, who's lost that loving feeling?

You don't need to squint too hard to see the 2026 college football season on the horizon. Before you know it, September 5th will dawn, and you'll be gathering in front of the TV with family and friends, filing into Beaver Stadium with fellow tailgaters, or struggling to remember your streaming password as Penn State's kickoff against Marshall looms. It will mark the beginning of one of most unusual and consequential seasons in program history.

So where's your head at? With roughly six weeks left before Matt Campbell unveils his take on Nittany Lions football, our resident fans got together for some raw and honest talk about their hopes, fears, frustrations, and disappointments, not simply around the condition of Penn State, but the state of college football itself.

HOSTED BY: Mike "The Mailman" Herr, Kevin Horne, Chris Buchignani

The Obligatory PSU Podcast will be brought to you once again this season by Gold Hen, a Penn State alumni-owned company, makers of the truly one-of-a-kind Gold Hen Bloody Mary Mix. Try it today by going to: GoldHenLLC.com

The unique flavor profile of Gold Hen Bloody Mary Mix complements a variety of alcohols and makes an excellent marinade or cooking ingredient. This year, the guys at Gold Hen are teaming up with Landon Tengwall to put a distinctly Penn State spin on their signature product with a special batch of Blue-and-White-themed Gold Hen 58.

The best way to support the show this season is to try some for yourself – go to GoldHenLLC.com and reserve your autographed bottle of Gold Hen Batch 58.

What is The Obligatory PSU Podcast?

The Obligatory PSU Podcast features wide-ranging discussions of Penn State sports, Nittany Lions football in particular, and all things Penn State and Happy Valley from the cast of The Obligatory PSU Pregame Show: Former Penn State and NFL defensive lineman Brandon Noble (’92-97), campus icon Mike “the Mailman” Herr, Mount Nittany Conservancy Board Secretary Kevin Horne, and seven-time Sam's Club Member Chris Buchignani. Along with a rotating cast of characters from around State College and across Nittany Nation, the guys focus on the stories, issues, and personalities surrounding the Blue and White fan experience.

The Obligatory PSU Podcast delivers fun and insightful commentary on the teams, University, and place that are beloved by many thousands of students, alumni, and fans. There’s no pretense of objectivity or “journalistic” distance here; these guys are here because they care, and their Penn State knowledge and love shine through in every installment. The goal is to touch on a broad variety of topics relating to the Nittany Lions in conversations that are frequently funny and occasionally profound, all while enjoying a few (or more) adult beverages. If you’ve got Penn State in your blood, you’ll enjoy sharing the journey with us.