Buffalo at Penn State Week 3 College Football Matchup Buffalo at Penn State Matchup - Week 3
Sat, Sep 19 2026 · Week 3 · 🏟 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA · Turf · 106,572 cap
Buffalo✈ 158 miSame TZ
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Buffalo
12
Penn State
37
P&R Line Penn State -25
P&R Total O/U 49.5
Confidence 69 Good
Matchup Prediction
Penn State has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Penn State entering this game.
Momentum Control
58.4%
Penn State wins
Lean
Game Control
67.1%
Penn State wins
Solid
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → Penn State · 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
🚌 Buffalo 2nd straight Road Game
Buffalo 2026 Schedule
Buffalo's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Buffalo vs UAlbany-14.5
Sat 9/12Buffalo at Florida International+4.5
Sat 9/19Buffalo at Penn State+25
Sat 9/26Buffalo vs Robert Morris-14.5
Sat 10/3Buffalo vs Western Michigan+3.5
Sat 10/10Buffalo at Toledo+15.5
Sat 10/17Buffalo vs Massachusetts-25.5
Sat 10/24Buffalo vs Bowling Green-4.5
— Bye Week —
Tue 11/3Buffalo at Miami (OH)+10.5
Wed 11/11Buffalo at Ball State-10.5
Wed 11/18Buffalo vs Central Michigan-0
Fri 11/27Buffalo at Akron-1.5
Penn State 2026 Schedule
Penn State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Penn State vs Marshall-19.5
Sat 9/12Penn State at Temple-15.5
Sat 9/19Penn State vs Buffalo-25
Sat 9/26Penn State vs Wisconsin-18
Fri 10/2Penn State at Northwestern-8.5
Sat 10/10Penn State vs USC+1
Sat 10/17Penn State at Michigan+4.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31Penn State vs Purdue-21
Sat 11/7Penn State at Washington+4
Sat 11/14Penn State vs Minnesota-12
Sat 11/21Penn State vs Rutgers-16.5
Sat 11/28Penn State at Maryland-8.5
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
Penn State PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
All 4 Agree
→ Penn State
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ Penn State
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Penn State
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Buffalo #116
+0.192
Penn State #32
+0.347
Penn State Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Buffalo #103
+0.367
Penn State #53
+0.517
Penn State Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Buffalo #75
0.153
Penn State #63
0.159
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Penn State Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Buffalo #91
+6.833
Penn State #25
+7.389
Penn State Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Buffalo #109
+0.801
Penn State #26
+0.854
Penn State Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Buffalo #54
70.5
Penn State #14
68.1
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Penn State Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Penn State Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Buffalo #117
-10.8
Penn State #26
8.8
Offense Rating
Buffalo #124
7.6
Penn State #30
19.0
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Buffalo #104
18.3
Penn State #25
10.2
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Penn State Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Buffalo #98
0.55
Penn State #43
1.50
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Buffalo #23
0.64
Penn State #35
0.67
Penn State +0.96
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.4% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Penn State Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Buffalo #106
35.3
Penn State #62
54.4
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Buffalo #91
45.8
Penn State #35
29.6
Penn State +19.1
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 67.1% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
Buffalo
Pete Lembo #74
14–11 (56%) · Yr 3 at school
OC Tony Tokarz Yr 1 #67
DC Joe Bowen Yr 3 #58
Staff Rating
2.62 #76
Penn State
Matt Campbell #28
0–0 (0%) · Yr 1 at school
OC Taylor Mouser Yr 1 #43
DC D’Anton Lynn Yr 1 #28
Staff Rating
3.34 #24
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself