Rutgers at Penn State - 2026 Matchup Preview
Rutgers logo Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Penn State Nittany LionsPenn State logo
Saturday, November 21st 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Beaver Stadium - University Park, PA

 
Scarlet Knights (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Greg Schiano (99 - 108)
Avg Score : 29 - 32 (19 - 34 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
PSU 2nd straight Home Game
PSU is playing their 4th straight game
RUTG is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: Penn State -18.5  (SP+ PSU -17)
Projected Score: RUTG: 18 - PSU: 36 (54)
PSU Win prob: 91% | Cover: 44%
RUTG Travel: 179 miles
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)
 
Rutgers's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Rutgers vs Massachusetts-30.5
Fri 9/11 Rutgers at Boston College-1
Sat 9/19 Rutgers vs USC+19.5
Sat 9/26 Rutgers vs Howard-22.5
Sat 10/3 Rutgers vs Indiana+27.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/17 Rutgers at Maryland+5.5
Sat 10/24 Rutgers at Northwestern+7
Sat 10/31 Rutgers vs Michigan+14
Sat 11/7 Rutgers at Wisconsin+3
Sat 11/14 Rutgers vs Nebraska+4.5
Sat 11/21 Rutgers at Penn State+18.5
Sat 11/28 Rutgers vs Michigan State-3.5

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 Rutgers'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
RUTG#37 (.21)47% (20)28.746% (41)3.03 (55)14247% (18)2663.38 (102)#134 (.31)47% (128)31.847% (113)49% (132)4.45 (131)32.60.91
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
RUTG0%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
RUTG Offense1228.719.246.8%3.380.9234081422663.749%50%46%47%16%.21
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
RUTG Defense1231.83447.4%4.451 - - - - - 50%49%47%49%12%.31
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
Rutgers1232:3123.343%62%4.132.60.913.90.9328.1
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
RUTG Offense1249% (74)46% (41)38.8141.53.719 (49).09 (80)3.03 (55)75% (46)9% (44)0.86 (117)
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
RUTG Defense1250% (64)47% (113) - - - - .26 (134)3.15 (110)66% (28)9% (106)1.13 (131)
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
RUTG Offense1250% (62)47% (18)19.531.5266.18.513.722 (42)7 (60).34 (39)1.5 (89)29% (36)36% (20).33 (57)7% (110)1.8 (129)
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
RUTG Defense1249% (74)49% (132) - - - - - - 5 (100).44 (134)1.6 (66)30% (96)34% (118).36 (100)4% (133)2.1 (89)
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)

Rutgers's Power Ratings
Rutgers's Power Rating: -3.12  #70
Rutgers's Offense Rating: 13.85  #44
Rutgers's Defense Rating: 21.97  #104
2026 Talent Rating: 812.00  #52
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Rutgers's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Rutgers's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.0  #72
Rutgers's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.6  #39
Rutgers's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.7  #95

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

Power Ratings Matchup
Rutgers: -3.12   Penn State: 17.565

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Rutgers: 1.0   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


Rutgers Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 19.2
Defense: 31.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 34

Rutgers'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 36
Rutgers 18

Projected Total Points: 54
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
202511/29Rutgers36Penn State40Penn State -14.5Rutgers55.5Over
202311/18Penn State27Rutgers6Penn State -19.5Penn State39.5Under
202211/19Rutgers10Penn State55Penn State -18.5Penn State45.0Over
202111/20Penn State28Rutgers0Penn State -14Penn State44.5Under
202012/05Rutgers7Penn State23Penn State -13.0Penn State51.0Under
201911/30Penn State27Rutgers6Penn State -38.5Rutgers50.5Under
201811/17Rutgers7Penn State20Penn State -28.5Rutgers52.5Under
201711/11Penn State35Rutgers6Penn State -31.5Rutgers56.5Under
201611/19Rutgers0Penn State39Penn State -22.5Penn State55.0Under
201509/19Penn State28Rutgers3Penn State -7Penn State47.5Under
201409/13Rutgers10Penn State13Penn State -4Rutgers0
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Penn State1162 Overs
Rutgers058 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams5 - 66 - 53 - 23 - 3
Road Teams6 - 55 - 63 - 32 - 3

(#70) RUTG at (#24) PSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatRUTGPSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #70 #24
SP+SP+ #72 #15
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #52 #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
Rutgers on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
RUTG OffPSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #20 #62
ExplosiveExp #89 #18
PPAPPA #37 #50
PowerPwr #44 #25
SP+SP+ #39 #22
Pts POPPO #102 #37
HavocHav #76 #63
Rutgers Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
RUTG OffPSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #41 #94
Run ExplRExp #117 #55
PPAExp #80 #75
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #55 #84
Stuff RateStuff #21 #77
TackleTak - NR
Rutgers Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
RUTG OffPSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #18 #36
Pass ExplPExl #89 #26
PPAExp #39 #40
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44 #34
DB HavocDB #110 #101
Penn State on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatPSU OffRUTG Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #26 #128
ExplosiveExp #100 #114
PPAPPA #32 #134
PowerPwr #26 #104
SP+SP+ #17 #95
Pts POPPO #25 #131
HavocHav #39 #125
Penn State Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffRUTG Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #33 #113
Run ExplRExp #52 #131
PPAExp #25 #134
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #38 #110
Stuff RateStuff #35 #62
TackleTak - NR
Penn State Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatPSU OffRUTG Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #32 #132
Pass ExplPExl #111 #66
PPAExp #53 #134
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #47 #106
DB HavocDB #25 #133
Program Comparison
PSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

RUTG 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Remains Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Beaver Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Penn State beat Rutgers last year (40-36)
Penn State beat Rutgers in 2023 (27-6)

  
RUTG's OC Kirk Ciarrocca (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dylan Lonergan (Tr)19028467%20251257.1
AJ Surace4944%58206.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Antwan Raymond2441241135.151
Clay Thevenin (Tr)13163484.850
Ja'shon Benjamin6832824.819
Edd Guerrier72503.69
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
KJ Duff601084718.172
Clay Thevenin (Tr)3326908.230
Kenny Fletcher2623609.139
Antwan Raymond18225212.548

View Rutgers's Full Roster

RUTG's DC Robb Smith (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Kaj Sanders640001
Abram Wright531012
Rondarius Porter395244
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
J'Dan Burnett (Tr)2810711
Malachi Davis (Tr)3510681
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Rondarius Porter395244
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Rondarius Porter395244
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Abram Wright531012

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