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Matchup preview

Buffalo vs Penn State

Buffalo visit Penn State in Week 3. The model favors Penn State by 37.6. Win probability, the tale of the tape, and the all-time series, all from real data.

Win probability
1%
99%

Model win probability from SP+ ratings + home-field edge.

The read
Model analysis · September 16 · refreshed weekly

SP+ frames this as a mismatch: Penn State rates 17.7 (16th) against Buffalo at -13.9 (118th), a gap the model converts into a projected Penn State margin of 34 points and a 98% win probability. The consensus of two books sits at Penn State -40.7, nearly seven points beyond the model line, with a 49.5 total and a 99% implied edge. Market and model land on the same outcome and diverge on scale, and the price leans harder on the favorite than the ratings justify.

The unit splits reinforce the separation. Penn State ranks 17th on offense and 20th on defense; Buffalo sits 130th and 90th, with the offensive side the widest divide. Recent form matches: Penn State outscored Marshall and Temple by a combined 72-9, while Buffalo edged UAlbany 21-17 and lost 20-33 at Florida International. The series is short and one-sided, Penn State 2-0, the last meeting a 45-13 result in 2019.

Season simulations keep the sides far apart: Penn State projects 8.9 wins with a 31.3% Playoff chance and 1.8% title equity against 1.1% on the market, while Buffalo projects 5.8 wins and 0.1% to reach the Playoff. The number, not the result, is where the value sits.

Model and market agree Penn State wins in a rout; the only live question is a spread priced seven points past the projection.

Matchup odds
Consensus line · 3 books
Spread
PSU -39.7
Total (O/U)
48.3
Favorite
PSU
Moneyline win probability (implied from the spread)

Real consensus line across 3 sportsbooks. Spread and total are the current market number; the win probabilities are implied from the spread.

Matchup odds price history
The market to win this game · daily prices, colored by the favorite
Buffalo1%-10 ptsvsPenn State99%+10 pts
0%25%50%75%100%Buffalo favoredPenn State favoredSep 6Sep 9Sep 12Sep 15Sep 18Sep 20

Real daily prices from the market to win this game, shown as Buffalo's win price; Penn State's is 100 minus it (the same market's other side). Above the 50% line Buffalo is favored, below it Penn State is, and each candle takes the favored team's color. Kalshi shows open-high-low-close candles (filled body closed up, hollow closed down). As of Sep 23.

Tale of the tape
Percentile vs FBS · 2025 stats, 2026 SP+
#120SP+SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.#12
#116FPIFPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.#16
1298EloElo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.1954
-Title oddsDe-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.1.2%
BuffaloPenn Statesolid = better, faded = trailing
What these metrics mean
SP+. SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.
FPI. FPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.
Elo. Elo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.
Title odds. De-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.
Off PPA. PPA (Predicted Points Added): the average point value each play adds. Higher is better for offense, lower for defense.
Success. Success rate: the share of plays that stay on schedule (roughly 50% of needed yards on 1st down, 70% on 2nd, 100% on 3rd/4th). Higher is better.
Explosive. Explosiveness: the average value of a team's successful plays, i.e. how big its good plays are when they hit.
Yards/game. Total yards gained per game.
Success allowed. How often the defense allows an on-schedule play (enough yards for the down). Lower is better.
Havoc. Havoc rate: the share of plays where the defense makes a tackle for loss, forced fumble, interception, or pass breakup.
Yards allowed. Total yards allowed per game. Lower is better.
Efficiency profile
Percentile vs FBS · 2025
Recent series
Penn State lead 2-0
Penn State have won the last 2
20152019
Head to head
Every meeting in our records
2019
45-13
Penn State
at Penn State
2015
27-14
Penn State
at Penn State
More Week 3 matchups
Model previews for the rest of the slate
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I trade the Buffalo vs Penn State game?

Kalshi lists winner markets for college football games. Sign up with code FADE (trade $25, get up to $500), open the Buffalo vs Penn State market when it posts, and buy YES on your side; the price in cents equals the market's implied win probability. You can sell before kickoff or settlement at the current price.

When do Buffalo and Penn State play?

Week 3 of 2026, on Sep 19, 2026 at Penn State.

Who is favored?

The model projects Penn State by 37.6 (99% win probability), from SP+ ratings.

What is the all-time series?

Penn State lead 2-0 over the meetings in our records.

Full schedule → · Both teams' playoff odds, from 10,000 simulations →

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