Purdue vs Penn State head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 9, Saturday, October 31, 2026.
The Breakdown
#17 Penn State's 68 composite beats Purdue's 61, with 4★ edges at quarterback, running back, secondary.
When Purdue has the ball: Three portal receivers, 3.0★ and 3.7 years, face Penn State's younger 3.8★ secondary (2.8 years).
When Penn State has the ball: Carson Hansen, 4★ and three years, runs at a 3.0★ Purdue linebacker corps averaging 2.3 years.
Swing factor: Rocco Becht, a 4★ transfer with four years, tops Ryan Browne's 3★ and three seasons.
X-factor: Halloween Saturday in Week 9 — Purdue on the road, Penn State's home crowd behind them.