Rutgers vs Penn State head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 12, Saturday, November 21, 2026.
The Breakdown
#17 Penn State's 68 composite tops Rutgers' 57 — Rocco Becht's 4★, four-year edge over Aj Surace headlines.
When Rutgers has the ball: A 2.6★ O-line averaging 3.8 years must handle Penn State's 3.5★ D-line — experience versus talent.
When Penn State has the ball: Carson Hansen's 4★ runs at Rutgers' 3★ linebackers; the 3.8★ O-line edges a four-year 3★ D-line.
Swing factor: Rocco Becht, a 4★ fourth-year transfer, against Aj Surace's 3★ and two years — the widest gap.
X-factor: Week 12 in November: Rutgers travels into a hostile Penn State home crowd on Saturday.