Penn State vs Michigan head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 7, Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The Breakdown
Penn State 68, Michigan 67 — a coin flip; the Nittany Lions start 55% portal transfers, Michigan 23%.
When Penn State has the ball: Michigan's 3.8★, 3.5-year secondary edges a 3.3★ receiver group; 4★ Chase Sowell must win outside.
When Michigan has the ball: Jordan Marshall, 4★, runs at a 3.3★ linebacker corps averaging 2.3 years — the clearest edge here.
Swing factor: 5★ Bryce Underwood's ceiling versus Rocco Becht's four college seasons — one star, three years, opposite directions.
X-factor: Week 7 Saturday in Ann Arbor — with margins this thin, the Big House crowd is the tiebreaker.