Minnesota at Penn State - 2026 Matchup Preview
Minnesota logo Minnesota Golden Gophers at Penn State Nittany LionsPenn State logo
Saturday, November 14th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Beaver Stadium - University Park, PA

 
Golden Gophers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach P. J. Fleck (66 - 44)
Avg Score : 23 - 23 (8 - 38 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
MINN is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Penn State -13.5  (SP+ PSU -17)
Projected Score: MINN: 18 - PSU: 31 (49)
PSU Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
MINN Travel: 828 miles, 1 hrs behind
Nittany Lions (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Matt Campbell (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 31 - 21 (34 - 15 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Minnesota's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Minnesota vs Eastern Illinois-27.5
Sat 9/12 Minnesota vs Mississippi State-0
Sat 9/19 Minnesota vs Akron-22
Sat 9/26 Minnesota at Washington+17
Sat 10/3 Minnesota vs Michigan+9
Sat 10/10 Minnesota at Purdue-5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 Minnesota vs Iowa+7.5
Sat 10/31 Minnesota at Indiana+27.5
Sat 11/7 Minnesota vs UCLA-8.5
Sat 11/14 Minnesota at Penn State+13.5
Sat 11/21 Minnesota vs Northwestern-3
Sat 11/28 Minnesota at Wisconsin-2

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Minnesota's Schedule
Penn State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Penn State vs Marshall-23
Sat 9/12 Penn State at Temple-19.5
Sat 9/19 Penn State vs Buffalo-28.5
Sat 9/26 Penn State vs Wisconsin-18.5
Sat 10/3 Penn State at Northwestern-9
Sat 10/10 Penn State vs USC+3.5
Sat 10/17 Penn State at Michigan+3
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Penn State vs Purdue-21
Sat 11/7 Penn State at Washington+6
Sat 11/14 Penn State vs Minnesota-13.5
Sat 11/21 Penn State vs Rutgers-18.5
Sat 11/28 Penn State at Maryland-10.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Penn State's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MINN#94 (.13)40% (101)2339% (110)2.62 (123)10341% (77)1903.79 (60)#97 (.2)45% (113)22.943% (82)47% (124)3.84 (84)310.71.2
PSU#32 (.23)46% (26)3147% (33)3.12 (38)17445% (32)1884.32 (25)#50 (.12)41% (62)20.544% (94)38% (36)3.33 (37)37.30.81
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MINN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
PSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MINN Offense13238.339.9%3.790.7172931031903.641%57%39%41%16%.13
PSU Defense1320.515.141.2%3.331 - - - - - 51%48%44%38%16%.12
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MINN Defense1322.93845.2%3.841.2 - - - - - 46%53%43%47%18%.2
PSU Offense13313446.3%4.320.8203621741884.855%43%47%45%14%.23

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Minnesota1329:2317.140%43%3.8310.71.27.13230.7
Penn State1329:2919.644%59%4.137.30.816.22.4231.9
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MINN Offense1341% (126)39% (110)28.8103.53.615 (88).02 (116)2.62 (123)73% (61)9% (44)0.89 (105)
PSU Defense1351% (83)44% (94) - - - - .11 (75)2.97 (84)69% (54)11% (34)0.93 (55)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MINN Defense1346% (19)43% (82) - - - - .14 (92)2.86 (63)73% (80)13% (6)0.98 (83)
PSU Offense1355% (29)47% (33)36.5174.44.830 (26).21 (25)3.12 (38)76% (43)9% (47)1 (52)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MINN Offense1357% (11)41% (77)19.330.7189.96.29.819 (61)7 (34).22 (82)1.4 (121)33% (96)28% (94).2 (111)7% (114)1.8 (126)
PSU Defense1348% (63)38% (36) - - - - - - 6 (55).18 (40)1.5 (26)30% (99)27% (28).23 (49)5% (101)1.9 (33)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MINN Defense1353% (119)47% (124) - - - - - - 9 (38).25 (73)1.5 (35)30% (102)36% (129).42 (122)5% (122)2 (54)
PSU Offense1343% (111)45% (32)17.426.1187.67.210.816 (86)7 (60).28 (53)1.4 (111)26% (11)31% (57).35 (52)5% (25)2 (69)

Minnesota's Power Ratings
Minnesota's Power Rating: 6.44  #37
Minnesota's Offense Rating: 14.80  #37
Minnesota's Defense Rating: 13.36  #41
2026 Talent Rating: 1010.00  #12
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Minnesota's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Minnesota's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.5  #70
Minnesota's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.8  #94
Minnesota's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.8  #33

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Minnesota: 6.44   Penn State: 17.565

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Minnesota: 1.5   Penn State: 18.1




Penn State's Power Ratings
Penn State's Power Rating: 17.565  #24
Penn State's Offense Rating: 16.98  #26
Penn State's Defense Rating: 9.95  #25
2026 Talent Rating: 828.00  #45
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Penn State's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Penn State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 18.1  #15
Penn State's Offense SP+ Rating: 35.1  #17
Penn State's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.8  #22

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


Minnesota Scoring
Offense: 23 PPG
Offense on Road: 8.3
Defense: 22.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 38

Minnesota's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Penn State 31
Minnesota 18

Projected Total Points: 49
Penn State Scoring
Offense: 31 PPG
Offense at Home: 34
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.1

Penn State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/23Minnesota25Penn State26Penn State -11Minnesota45.0Over
202210/22Penn State45Minnesota17Penn State -5.5Penn State43.0Over
201911/09Minnesota31Penn State26Penn State -7.0Minnesota49.0Over
201610/01Penn State29Minnesota26Penn State -4Minnesota54.5Over
201311/09Minnesota24Penn State10Minnesota -2.5Minnesota47.5Under
201010/23Minnesota21Penn State33
200910/17Penn State20Minnesota0
200610/07Minnesota27Penn State28
200510/01Penn State44Minnesota14
200410/02Minnesota16Penn State7
200309/27Penn State14Minnesota20
200010/06Minnesota25Penn State16
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Penn State714 Overs
Minnesota541 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams8 - 44 - 12 - 12 - 0
Road Teams4 - 81 - 40 - 21 - 2

(#37) MINN at (#24) PSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatMINNPSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #37 #24
SP+SP+ #70 #15
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #12 #45
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Penn State Notes
(1/27) Campbell leads Iowa State east in Happy Valley
(1/27) Likely have the easiest schedule in the Big Ten
Penn State Injury Report
Minnesota on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat
MINN OffPSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #101 #62
ExplosiveExp #99 #18
PPAPPA #94 #50
PowerPwr #37 #25
SP+SP+ #94 #22
Pts POPPO #60 #37
HavocHav #74 #63
Minnesota Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat
MINN OffPSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #110 #94
Run ExplRExp #105 #55
PPAExp #116 #75
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #123 #84
Stuff RateStuff #94 #77
TackleTak - NR
Minnesota Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat
MINN OffPSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #77 #36
Pass ExplPExl #121 #26
PPAExp #82 #40
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44 #34
DB HavocDB #114 #101
Penn State on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatPSU OffMINN Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #26 #113
ExplosiveExp #100 #74
PPAPPA #32 #97
PowerPwr #26 #41
SP+SP+ #17 #33
Pts POPPO #25 #84
HavocHav #39 #29
Penn State Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffMINN Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #33 #82
Run ExplRExp #52 #83
PPAExp #25 #92
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #38 #63
Stuff RateStuff #35 #55
TackleTak - NR
Penn State Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatPSU OffMINN Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #32 #124
Pass ExplPExl #111 #35
PPAExp #53 #73
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #47 #6
DB HavocDB #25 #122
Program Comparison
PSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

MINN 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Down to Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Beaver Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Penn State beat Minnesota in 2024 (26-25)

  
MINN's OC Greg Harbaugh Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Drake Lindsey24638963%23821866.1
Michael Merdinger (Tr)214151%350108.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Darius Taylor14367044.771
TJ Thomas Jr. (Tr)9138464.244
Grant Washington2113206.316
Cortez LeGrant2513105.222
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Javon Tracy37454612.345
Jalen Smith28419415.078
Noah Jennings (Tr)23323014.036
Zion Steptoe (Tr)21272013.042

View Minnesota's Full Roster

MINN's DC Danny Collins (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Maverick Baranowski1029331
Andrew Marshall (Tr)614130
Kerry Brown564003
John Nestor506006
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Anthony Smith38181373
Karter Menz329742
T.J. Bush3911541
Jaxon Howard296410
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
John Nestor506006
Kerry Brown564003
Anthony Smith38181373

PSU's OC Taylor Mouser (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Rocco Becht (Tr)20433761%25651697.6
Alex Manske (Tr)4580%28005.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Carson Hansen (Tr)18795065.165
James Peoples (Tr)6134435.649
Rocco Becht (Tr)8711181.325
Quinton Martin Jr.2010305.221
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Brett Eskildsen (Tr)30526517.575
Chase Sowell (Tr)32500215.652
Benjamin Brahmer (Tr)37446612.127
Keith Jones31438414.148

View Penn State's Full Roster

PSU's DC D’Anton Lynn (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kooper Ebel (Tr)778153
Marcus Neal7711133
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343
Jamison Patton (Tr)481003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343
Tony Rojas255221
Yvan Kemajou135231
Kooper Ebel (Tr)778153
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Daryus Dixson242106
Kooper Ebel (Tr)778153
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343