Penn State - Michigan State Stat Comparison
by BSD on Nov 20, 2008 12:00 PM EST
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Before I get into talking about the matchups, just take a second and stare in awe at those defensive numbers for Penn State. We're ranked in the top ten in rushing defense, passing defense, opponent QB rating, and scoring defense. Four of those are top five rankings. And we're ranked #14 in 3rd down defense and #20 in sacks. For all the crap we give our defense at times, those are some pretty historical numbers. I don't care what your level of competition is.
Michigan State is a middle of the road team. They don't excell or suck at anything. Most of their rankings fall in the mushy 30-75 range. So it's going to be hard for Penn State to dominate them in anything. They are a good team that isn't going to beat themselves.
I'm a little surprised by their offensive rushing yardage. With all the talk about Javon Ringer for Heisman I figured they would be averaging over 200 yards per game. What's interesting here is that while MSU is averaging 148 yards per game, Ringer is averaging 140 yards per game. So yeah, he's all they got. The next highest rusher on the team only has 97 yards for the season. Considering the way Penn State held P.J. Hill, John Clay, Beanie Wells and Shonn Greene (relatively) in check I think we'll do the same against Ringer. But if he's getting four yards on more on first downs look out.
So while Penn State holds the advantage in nearly every statistical category, only one or two of them can be considered a blowout. All of the evidence points to this being a close game, but one that Penn State should win by a score or two.
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I think the crowd will make a hell of a difference. Very rarely do we get a home game at the end of a BCS-eligible season, in fact this might be the first time ever. I expect a lot from the team too, given the atmosphere and stage that is set.
I’m opptimistic, not for a blowout or anything, but for a solid win over a good opponent.
Biggest late-season game since 2005
at Beaver Stadium I think. That year we had Wisconsin at home right before the road finale at Michigan State. If I remember correctly, it was two 8-1 (5-1) teams going at it with (obviously) huge Big Ten Title chances on the line. We scored early, never looked back, and ended up something like 35-14. I hope that repeats itself Saturday…
The defense
I was starting to notice the strong defense number in last week’s stat comparison.
Funny how through most of the summer and the first eight games, the recurring theme around here was how awesome the offense was and how worried we all were about the defense (with a few exceptions—Mayhem, Lavarro).
So, strong defense and usually good enough offense; I guess we are Penn State.
I've been saying it all week...
…stop Ringer. Stop MSU. This is a no brainer.
Actually its the WR
Not stopping the WRs, just if the WRs can actually catch the balls thrown their way.
If MSU has a lot of dropped passes, it’ll be the difference in the game. Stopping Ringer isn’t enough.
It didn’t help Wisconsin.
i could only imagine
what our numbers would be with adequate referees that will call holding.
http://glassesofjoe.blogspot.com/
Indeed it is,
where quality officiating is rarer than…..uh……Pete the Streak puking up a liguistically beautiful masterpiece of a comment around these parts.
You just don’t see it.
'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'
by Pete the Streak on Nov 20, 2008 8:02 PM EST up reply actions
I CAN'T WAIT
for this game. Nothing says FOOTBALL like a Big Ten game in a huge blizzard with league title implications. I hope everyone feels like screaming their friggin heads off to stay warm. I do. That and drinking heavily.
lol, I read that as "with little teacup implications"
and now I wish we fought for a little teacup instead of the stupid land grant trophy. It almost makes sense, too, since this is far from a real rivalry. I just picture it now: the players sit around having a cup of tea before going out and playing a little bit of football
by The JuggerNitt on Nov 20, 2008 5:04 PM EST up reply actions
If our Offense shows up . . .
Im not so sure this will be close? They only scored a combined 23 points against the Big Ten’s 2nd and 3rd ranked defense (OSU – 7 and Iowa – 16). If this pattern were to continue, playing the Big Ten’s #1 Defense (us), it should result in a score of -9 for MSU. Numbers CAN be fun!
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