Saturday, October 17

Compare these teams

Michigan

3–2

vs

Penn State

3–3

3:30 PM ETMichigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MI

Weather

Clear51°FNW 12 mphGusts 20 mphPrecip 0%

At kickoff · 3:30 PM ET · Updated 10:49 AM ET · National Weather Service

Hour by hour

Ann Arbor · local time (ET)

Hour of the game (ET)

Kickoff hour

Clear51°FNW 12 mphGusts 20 mphPrecip 0%

Weather is not an input to the SBR forecast.

Game forecast

54%

Michigan win probability

Penn State 46%

Michigan by 1.6

Projected margin

Margin uncertainty ±14.5 points

Published forecast · SBR sbr-2r · Model track record

The game in a minute

01 · Michigan's case

Michigan's defense leads its matchup in allowed

Michigan's defense is in the 96th percentile for success rate allowed this season. Penn State's offense is in the 35th percentile for success rate.

See the underlying numbers

02 · Penn State's answer

Penn State's defense leads its matchup in

Penn State's defense is in the 77th percentile for points allowed per game this season. Michigan's offense is in the 26th percentile for points per game.

See the underlying numbers

03 · What could swing it

The forecast comes with a range

The model gives Michigan a 54% chance to win and predicts Michigan by 1.6 points. That margin has an uncertainty of ±14.5 points.

See the forecast

When each team has the ball

Offensive efficiency meets defensive efficiency. Percentiles run from 0 to 100.

When Michigan has the ball

Michigan offense
32nd
Penn State defense
48th
Show the underlying numbers
Michigan offensive per play
0.0932nd percentile · #91 nationally
Penn State PPA allowed per play
0.0648th percentile · #64 nationally
Michigan success rate
42%39th percentile · #84 nationally
Penn State success rate allowed
39%58th percentile · #59 nationally
Michigan points per game
23.026th percentile · #101 nationally
Penn State points allowed per game
18.577th percentile · #32 nationally

PPA and success rate: CFBD, 2026 season to date, garbage time included. Points per game: 2026 games so far. Percentiles and ranks are among 2026 teams.

Michigan offense · Last 5 games · garbage time excluded

Explosiveness
1.15
Rush success
40.6%

Penn State defense · Last 6 games · garbage time excluded

Explosiveness allowed
1.28
Rush success allowed
40.5%

When Penn State has the ball

Penn State offense
51st
Michigan defense
96th
Show the underlying numbers
Penn State offensive PPA per play
0.1651st percentile · #67 nationally
Michigan PPA allowed per play
−0.1196th percentile · #6 nationally
Penn State success rate
42%35th percentile · #90 nationally
Michigan success rate allowed
33%96th percentile · #7 nationally
Penn State points per game
30.553rd percentile · #65 nationally
Michigan points allowed per game
15.886th percentile · #20 nationally

PPA and success rate: CFBD, 2026 season to date, garbage time included. Points per game: 2026 games so far. Percentiles and ranks are among 2026 FBS teams.

Penn State offense · Last 6 games · garbage time excluded

Explosiveness
1.29
Rush success
37.4%

Michigan defense · Last 5 games · garbage time excluded

Explosiveness allowed
1.14
Rush success allowed
32.1%

Defense is oriented so a higher percentile is stronger.

Where they attack.

Follow the direction. Check the production.

Offense on the field
Play type
Field measure
Share of charted attemptsDirectional schematic
Direction, from the offense's perspective

Offense moving upfield ↑

Select left, middle or right. The paths show direction only; alignment, routes and throw depth are schematic.

Bryce Underwood · 98% of charted pass attempts

Throwing right

Share of charted plays
50%
Usage: charted in this direction
45 attempts
Yards / attempt
8.0
over 45 attempts with a result
Completion rate
60%
over 45 attempts with a result

90 of 92 have a direction · 2 unknown, excluded · rounded

Charted 4 of 5 games

Efficiency charted in 4 of 5 games

Depth as written in the play-by-play: 72 short · 18 deep · 2 not stated

What to watch

Most charted attempts go right (50%). Middle gives the most yards per attempt: 9.8 over 17 attempts with a result.

Who's driving the offense?

The Michigan offense in 2026

Featured players for

Bryce Underwood

QB · 5 games

67/113 · 59% season

Passing yards
881
Touchdowns
5
Interceptions
4

Last game

Minnesota · Oct 3, 2026: 10/21, 101 yds, 0 TD, 2 INT

Bryce Underwood

QB · 5 games

Carries
57
Rushing yards
212
Touchdowns
2

Last game

Minnesota · Oct 3, 2026: 10 carries, 20 yds, 0 TD

Andrew Marsh

WR · 5 games

Andrew Marsh

Photo: ESPN

Receptions
25
Receiving yards
268
Touchdown
1

Last game

Minnesota · Oct 3, 2026: 3 rec, 29 yds, 0 TD

Michigan player tables

Who is producing

Michigan player production

2026 evidence · 5 games in this window · 5 with recorded rows in this view

Statistic category

Sorted by Completions and attempts, highest first

Michigan — Passing production
Player
Bryce UnderwoodQB567 / 1138817.854
Tommy CarrQB12 / 22311.510

2 players with recorded rows

Rows are recorded player-game box lines for the games listed above. A missing row is missing data, not proof that a player did not appear, and none of these figures describe targets, snaps, starters or availability.

Penn State player tables

Who is producing

Penn State player production

2026 evidence · 6 games in this window · 6 with recorded rows in this view

Statistic category

Sorted by Completions and attempts, highest first

Penn State — Passing production
Player
Rocco BechtQB6104 / 1661,3978.4113
Alex ManskeQB29 / 141027.300
Connor BarryQB22 / 284.000

3 players with recorded rows

Rows are recorded player-game box lines for the games listed above. A missing row is missing data, not proof that a player did not appear, and none of these figures describe targets, snaps, starters or availability.

In the trenches

Michigan's line averages 307.7 lbs against Penn State's 272.9 lbs front — an edge of 34.8 lbs a man.

Typical FBS gap: 31.7 lbs.

Roster size is context. It isn't a forecast advantage.

MatchupO-lineD-line
Michigan OL307.7 lbs272.9 lbs
Penn State OL310.7 lbs277.2 lbs
  • Michigan
  • Penn State

Average listed roster weight, 2026 · bars run from 0 to 350 lbs.

How these teams stack up

2026 season. Percentiles and ranks are among 2026 FBS teams.

Michigan

Points per game
23.0#101 nationally · 26th percentile · 5 games
Points allowed per game
15.8#20 nationally · 86th percentile · 5 games
Returning production
69% of 2025 PPA returns · 84th percentile
Upperclassmen
53% · 118 of 118 with a class year

Penn State

Points per game
30.5#65 nationally · 53rd percentile · 6 games
Points allowed per game
18.5#32 nationally · 77th percentile · 6 games
Returning production
8% of 2025 PPA returns · 10th percentile
Upperclassmen
38% · 112 of 112 with a class year

Recruiting

Michigan

2026 signing class · #12 nationally
92nd percentile · 270.1 pts
4-year recruiting composite (Saturday Bias) · classes 2023–2026 · #12 nationally
92nd percentile · 1.61 (0 is the FBS average)
Roster talent (CFBD Team Talent) · 2026 · #11 nationally
93rd percentile · 890.0

Penn State

2026 signing class · #65 nationally
53rd percentile · 194.4 pts
4-year recruiting composite (Saturday Bias) · classes 2023–2026 · #24 nationally
83rd percentile · 0.77 (0 is the FBS average)
Roster talent (CFBD Team Talent) · 2026 · #26 nationally
82nd percentile · 774.0

Recruited classes aren't the roster that takes the field.

Season percentile profiles

Offense · SP+ 2026Defense · SP+ 2026Special teams · SP+ 2026Recruiting · 2026 signing classExperience · returning production 2026Michigan Offense · SP+ 2026: 26.6, 51st percentile (CFBD, 2026 season to date)Michigan Defense · SP+ 2026: 13.4, 96th percentile (CFBD, 2026 season to date)Michigan Special teams · SP+ 2026: −0.1, 28th percentile (CFBD, 2026 season to date)Michigan Recruiting · 2026 signing class: 270.1 pts, 92nd percentile (CFBD, 2026 signing class)Michigan Experience · returning production 2026: 69% returning, 84th percentile (CFBD, 2026 roster)Penn State Offense · SP+ 2026: 30.0, 68th percentile (CFBD, 2026 season to date)Penn State Defense · SP+ 2026: 20.5, 80th percentile (CFBD, 2026 season to date)Penn State Special teams · SP+ 2026: 0.1, 50th percentile (CFBD, 2026 season to date)Penn State Recruiting · 2026 signing class: 194.4 pts, 53rd percentile (CFBD, 2026 signing class)Penn State Experience · returning production 2026: 8% returning, 10th percentile (CFBD, 2026 roster)0100
  • Michigan Offense · SP+ 2026: 26.6, 51st percentile (CFBD, 2026 season to date)
  • Penn State Offense · SP+ 2026: 30.0, 68th percentile (CFBD, 2026 season to date)
  • Michigan Defense · SP+ 2026: 13.4, 96th percentile (CFBD, 2026 season to date)
  • Penn State Defense · SP+ 2026: 20.5, 80th percentile (CFBD, 2026 season to date)
  • Michigan Special teams · SP+ 2026: −0.1, 28th percentile (CFBD, 2026 season to date)
  • Penn State Special teams · SP+ 2026: 0.1, 50th percentile (CFBD, 2026 season to date)
  • Michigan Recruiting · 2026 signing class: 270.1 pts, 92nd percentile (CFBD, 2026 signing class)
  • Penn State Recruiting · 2026 signing class: 194.4 pts, 53rd percentile (CFBD, 2026 signing class)
  • Michigan Experience · returning production 2026: 69% returning, 84th percentile (CFBD, 2026 roster)
  • Penn State Experience · returning production 2026: 8% returning, 10th percentile (CFBD, 2026 roster)

Season percentiles · outward is stronger · recruiting and experience are context, not forecast weights

Michigan: solid line, circles · Penn State: dashed line, squares

Michigan

Offense · 2026
26.6 · 51st percentile
CFBD, 2026 season to date
Defense · SP+ 2026
13.4 · 96th percentile
CFBD, 2026 season to date
Special teams · SP+ 2026
−0.1 · 28th percentile
CFBD, 2026 season to date
Recruiting · 2026 signing class
270.1 pts · 92nd percentile
CFBD, 2026 signing class
Experience · returning production 2026
69% returning · 84th percentile
CFBD, 2026 roster

Penn State

Offense · SP+ 2026
30.0 · 68th percentile
CFBD, 2026 season to date
Defense · SP+ 2026
20.5 · 80th percentile
CFBD, 2026 season to date
Special teams · SP+ 2026
0.1 · 50th percentile
CFBD, 2026 season to date
Recruiting · 2026 signing class
194.4 pts · 53rd percentile
CFBD, 2026 signing class
Experience · returning production 2026
8% returning · 10th percentile
CFBD, 2026 roster

Michigan's recent games

Most recent completed 2026 games · play stats exclude garbage time

  1. Oct 3 · 51 recorded plays

    at Minnesota

    L 14–20

    37%

    Success rate

    −0.26

    PPA / play

  2. Sep 26 · 69 recorded plays

    vs Iowa

    L 19–20

    45%

    Success rate

    0.12

    PPA / play

  3. Sep 19 · 60 recorded plays

    vs UTEP

    W 52–17

    57%

    Success rate

    0.35

    PPA / play

The coaching staff

Michigan

Head coach
Kyle Whittingham

Kyle Whittingham

First season as Michigan's head coach · career +12.5 SP+ overall

Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0

Offensive coordinator
Jason Beck

Jason Beck

career +29.8 SP+ offense

Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0

Defensive coordinator

Jay Hill

career +22.6 SP+ defense

Penn State

Head coach
Matt Campbell

Matt Campbell

First season as Penn State's head coach · career +7.1 SP+ overall

Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0

Offensive coordinator

Taylor Mouser

career +29.5 SP+ offense

Defensive coordinator
D'Anton Lynn

D'Anton Lynn

career +21.1 SP+ defense

Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0

Head-to-head

Michigan leads 13–7 since 2000
  1. 2023 · Michigan 24, Penn State 15

    Beaver Stadium

  2. 2022 · Michigan 41, Penn State 17

    Michigan Stadium

  3. 2021 · Michigan 21, Penn State 17

    Beaver Stadium

  4. 2020 · Penn State 27, Michigan 17

    Michigan Stadium

  5. 2019 · Penn State 28, Michigan 21

    Beaver Stadium

  6. 2018 · Michigan 42, Penn State 7

    Michigan Stadium

  7. 2017 · Penn State 42, Michigan 13

    Beaver Stadium

  8. 2016 · Michigan 49, Penn State 10

    Michigan Stadium

  9. 2015 · Michigan 28, Penn State 16

    Beaver Stadium

  10. 2014 · Michigan 18, Penn State 13

    Michigan Stadium

  11. 2013 · Penn State 43, Michigan 40

    Beaver Stadium

  12. 2010 · Penn State 41, Michigan 31

    Beaver Stadium

  13. 2009 · Penn State 35, Michigan 10

    Michigan Stadium

  14. 2008 · Penn State 46, Michigan 17

    Beaver Stadium

  15. 2007 · Michigan 14, Penn State 9

    Michigan Stadium

  16. 2006 · Michigan 17, Penn State 10

    Beaver Stadium

  17. 2005 · Michigan 27, Penn State 25

    Michigan Stadium

  18. 2002 · Michigan 27, Penn State 24

    Michigan Stadium

  19. 2001 · Michigan 20, Penn State 0

    Beaver Stadium

  20. 2000 · Michigan 33, Penn State 11

Evidence and sources

Evidence window: 2026 season to date

  • Michigan: 5 games
  • Penn State: 6 games
  • Forecast: 2026 game forecast · this game · Saturday Bias
  • Weather: 2026 game forecast · this game · NWS
  • The game in a minute: 2026 season to date, garbage time included · compared with 2026 FBS teams · CFBD
  • When each team has the ball: 2026 season to date, garbage time included · compared with 2026 FBS teams · CFBD
  • Where they attack: 2026 season to date, garbage time included, regular season only · per team, not ranked · NCAA
  • Featured players: 2026 season to date, garbage time included · per team, not ranked · CFBD
  • In the trenches: 2026 roster snapshot · compared with 2026 FBS teams · CFBD
  • Team profiles: 2026 season to date · compared with 2026 FBS teams · CFBD
  • Recent games: 2026 recent games, garbage time excluded · this game · CFBD
  • Coaching staff: 2026 coaching staff · per team, not ranked · CFBD (head coaches, SP+) and Wikipedia (coordinators)
  • Head-to-head: completed meetings since 2000 · games between these two programs · CFBD
Compare these teams