LSU Preview By The Numbers
by BSD on Dec 30, 2009 2:05 PM EST
in Football
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Penn State |
Value (Nat'l Rank) |
Value (Nat'l Rank) |
LSU Tigers |
Advantage |
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 173.6 (38) | 134.2 (44) | Rushing Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 238.9 (40) | 192.4 (29) | Passing Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Pass Efficiency | 144.5 (21) | 108.0 (18) | Pass Efficiency Defense | Push |
| Total Offense (ypg) | 412.5 (36) | 326.6 (28) | Total Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 29.7 (41) | 16.0 (12) | Scoring Defense (ppg) |  |
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 93.9 (10) | 129.6 (85) | Rushing Offense (ypg) |  |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 183.2 (19) | 180.1 (99) | Passing Offense (ypg) | |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 104.1 (14) | 132.0 (48) | Pass Efficiency | |
| Total Defense (ypg) | 277.1 (8) | 309.7 (108) | Total Offense (ypg) | |
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 11.8 (4) | 25.5 (74) | Scoring Offense (ppg) | |
| Net Punting Yds | 32.9 (106) | 18.8 (1) | Punt Return Yds |  |
| Punt Return Yds | 4.9 (107) | 38.2 (13) | Net Punting Yds | |
| Kickoff Return Yds | 19.2 (108) | 17.4 (3) | Kickoff Return Defense | |
| Kickoff Return Defense | 21.7 (62) | 18.7 (111) | Kickoff Return Yds | |
| Turnover Margin | 0.25 (46) | 0.58 (21) | Turnover Margin | |
| Penalty Yds/Game | 33.0 (7) | 47.4 (69) | Penalty Yds/Game | |
| Sacks | 2.92 (8) | 2.92 (108) | Sacks Allowed | |
| Sacks Allowed | 1.33 (27) | 1.69 (79) | Sacks | |
| Redzone Offense (%) | 0.87 (25) | 0.78 (28) | Redzone Defense (%) | Push |
| Redzone Defense (%) | 0.65 (1) | 0.90 (19) | Redzone Offense (%) | Push |
| Redzone TD % | 0.64 | 0.36 | Redzone TD % Defense | Push |
| Redzone TD % Defense | 0.38 | 0.61 | Redzone TD % | Push |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 49.7 (7) | 36.8 (44) | 3rd Down Defense % | |
| 3rd Down Defense % | 32.2 (14) | 39.2 (61) | 3rd Down Conv. % | |
Legend
Difference <25 in National Rank = Push
Difference >25 in National Rank =
Difference >50 in National Rank =
Difference >75 in National Rank =
Differences >100 in National Rank =
Note: The Redzone TD% and Redzone TD% Defense are calculated by me and not ranked by the NCAA. Determining who has the advantage in these categories is strictly my arbitrary judgement.
More analysis after the jump.
Best Matchup
The LSU defense and the Penn State offense should be pretty well matched up with each other. We know the Penn State offense struggles when the defensive line can get pressure on Daryll Clark. Fortunately, LSU does not blow you away in their sack totals.
Worst Matchup
There's nothing that really jumps out at you where both teams suck. LSU isn't great at returning kicks which is kind of surprising considering their punt return numbers. LSU fans suggest opposing teams won't kick to Trindon Holiday, the reigning NCAA 100 meter dash champion, and instead to squib kick to a fullback or tight end. This makes a lot of sense to me, and I hope Penn State follows suit considering our inability to cover kicks this year.
Advantages for LSU
Special teams, obviously. The Tigers are ranked No. 1 in the nation in punt returns...which scares me to death. But as long as the PSU offense can move the chains and keep the ball off of Jeremy Boone's foot, this will not come into play. Penn State has to just catch the ball on kickoff and punt returns, and avoid punts where blocks and big returns can come into play and special teams should not be a factor in this game.
Advantages for Penn State
The statistical advantage of the Penn State defense over the LSU offense jumps off the page. LSU doesn't do anything particularly well on offense. They have the play makers, but they tend to shoot themselves in the foot alot. Penn State will have to shut them down defensively, and hope LSU can't exploit their advantages in special teams if they hope to win.
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Comments
After seeing the stat comparison
I predict Penn State will get 2.92 sacks on Friday afternoon.
Also, are we going to end up just having HATE DAY or did I miss Cairo’s post while I was traveling last week?
Despite.....
the awesome table with all the great Nittany Lion logos, Colin Cowherd says we are going to get blown out. That scares me a little bit.
"When is the last time you heard a CEO say, "You know, I am REALLY glad we lowered our standards. Its really worked out well for us"."
Colin Cowherd
Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.
I’d be worried if I didn’t come to the conclusion that Cowherd is a rambling d-bag. After a year of listening to him, I’ve come to take whatever he says with a grain of salt.
Now on the other hand, as we’ve already seen, if LSU gets pressure with just 4 — we’re going to lose badly. Simply get pressure on our QB, consistently, and w/out blitzing all the time, and we’re done for. If we can keep Clark in a nice clean pocket, we’ll be fine. We’ll probably know how this one will turn out by mid-way through the 2nd quarter.
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
I heart Colin.
Nobody brings better analogies and original topics to the airwaves on that station. I have tried to listen to Fox Sports or Sporting News radio but they are pretty bad.
What I don’t like about Colin is that he refuses to believe than anyone actually prefers to live in PA or Ohio vs. San Diego or Vegas. That gets on my nerves a little bit. Nonetheless, what scares me is he is pretty good at picking games.
I hope we put on a show. I bought my wife a PSU Under Armor long sleeved shirt for the game and I am hopeful that her first Penn State Football experience isn’t over by halftime.
"When is the last time you heard a CEO say, "You know, I am REALLY glad we lowered our standards. Its really worked out well for us"."
Colin Cowherd
Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.
CC is a complete dbag.
I can’t stand to listen to him. He speaks the way you would expect radio personalities to speak…incessant droning coupled with fiery predictions that increase listener-ship. He and Steven A. Smith – I can EASILY do without.
"Have I ever told the story of when I met Miley Cyrus?"
by Jeff Junstrom on Dec 30, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions
You are out of your mind IMO.
Although, I totally agree with you on SAS.
Who do you listen to ?
"When is the last time you heard a CEO say, "You know, I am REALLY glad we lowered our standards. Its really worked out well for us"."
Colin Cowherd
Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.
No one on the radio anymore, as I've moved out of an office and work from home.
But 10-2 was the worst time when I worked in an office. Now some SVP, that I can listen too all day long.
"Have I ever told the story of when I met Miley Cyrus?"
by Jeff Junstrom on Dec 30, 2009 4:11 PM EST up reply actions
Really.......
I don’t dislike him, but sometimes he really plays radio. I guess they all do to some degree. I guess what I really mean is I don’t turn SVP off but I don’t rush to turn to ESPN radio to listen either.
I can see where Colin would turn some people off, but I think he puts more thought into what he says than most other “personalities”. He isn’t a big Big 10 Fan, but I can see why he isn’t even though I am.
"When is the last time you heard a CEO say, "You know, I am REALLY glad we lowered our standards. Its really worked out well for us"."
Colin Cowherd
Eric Watters Atlanta, Ga.
The reason I can't stand him
Is he says things intentionally provacative, void of any real substance, because he’s trying to create edgey soundbites. You know those little sound bites from his show they play instead of commercials on ESPN? The ones where some sound engineer thinks he’s producing a Nickleback song so he uses a high pass filter on CC’s voice and then pipes in some rock guitar riff? That’s what I hate about the guy. He’s all style and no substance.
He says things like “running the football in the NFL is a thing of the past, only passing matters” or “only warm weather schools get good athletes” or “TV ratings are the single most important way to evaluate a sporting event” or “parity is boring”… They’re just baseless provacative soundbites that people know are wrong, but are crafted to draw you in either because you disagree or because you want to hear his half-baked reasoning.
Nothing wrong with listening to him, I did for the last year every day, but I think he’s just a notch above Jim Rome on the “rambling d-bag” scale.
During that same time slot, I much prefer Tim Brando on Sporting News Radio. He’s an SEC homer but he’s much less concerned with being provacative and edgey and talks a lot of college football. Also I think the Dan Patrick show is absolutely fantastic.
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
I have a love/hate relationship with Cowherd
Sometimes he says things that infuriate me and other times, I completely agree with him.
He is a radio dude, so of course he will say stupid shit to drum up ratings. but by and large he isn’t the worst I’ve ever heard on the air.
I think it helps me to not listen to any one show every day, so I never get too fed up with it.
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
"Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth."
Agree, unless I listen enough to actually like a radio guy.
Hence the love for SVP above.
"Have I ever told the story of when I met Miley Cyrus?"
by Jeff Junstrom on Dec 31, 2009 12:16 AM EST up reply actions
So.
Their only decided statistical advantage is in special teams.
Who are they? Michigan State? Or every other team we’ve played this year?
"Jamelle Cornley is 6’4", and 6’3" of it is balls." - RUTS
I agree with this assessment.
And as outlined in some of Mike’s posts (as related by some of the LSU guys coming in here), their special teams isn’t as good on paper because teams are routinely kicking to their upmen. We need to either A) follow suit, B) kick it out of bounds on purpose, or C) expect big returns.
"Have I ever told the story of when I met Miley Cyrus?"
by Jeff Junstrom on Dec 30, 2009 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
So does everyone else
The reason LSU’s kick returns have been so poor is that most teams have opted for the short kick that we’ve simply fair caught at the 30 or 35. Considering how bad the offense has been and how dangerous our returners can be, I think this is a smart strategy. Kick away from Trinson and make someone else beat you.
But, yeah, our special teams are pretty darn good. They saved the season for us. One of the reasons I don’t buy the “Miles the Moron” meme is because Miles is LSU’s special teams coach and it’s by far the team’s strength.
Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
http://www.andthevalleyshook.com
There's another factor we didn't expect:
The field at the Citrus Bowl is AWFUL. I have never seen so many pieces of ground flying in the air. It’s an absolute disgrace. We can only hope it doesn’t rain.
"Jamelle Cornley is 6’4", and 6’3" of it is balls." - RUTS
I was all over that last night.
The announcers talked about the poor field conditions, but I didn’t hear any discussion on how they will fix it for Friday.
Great. All I can picture is the 2008 Purdue game…..Turf Monster tackles everywhere.
"We are not normal. We are legends. We are Penn State." - Deon Butler
by Stately NOVA Lion on Dec 30, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
dammit
I meant to comment on that first thing this morning
BUT, I haven’t decided if that is a good or bad thing for us
Well it isn't exactly an advantage for us.
I’m not particularly excited about a sloppy and potentially dangerous field.
And the Turf Monster will only grow hungrier by game-time.
What's up Ryan? ARGHHHHHH!!! oops. ~ Patrick Chewing
This is going to be bad, bad, bad, bad, bad
"Jamelle Cornley is 6’4", and 6’3" of it is balls." - RUTS
by ReadingRambler on Dec 30, 2009 7:21 PM EST up reply actions
One would think they would do something after this . . .
Cooper’s (injured Miami RB) knee is apparently pretty bad off. It’s one thing to cause a sloppy game, but quite another to risk injury to players.
by NittanySeaLion on Dec 30, 2009 10:27 PM EST up reply actions
not to mention
we already have a history of RB’s getting injurred in bowl games
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
What, Heinz Field was reserved for Jan. 1?
"Have I ever told the story of when I met Miley Cyrus?"
by Jeff Junstrom on Dec 30, 2009 11:43 PM EST up reply actions
Good for you.
"We are not normal. We are legends. We are Penn State." - Deon Butler
by Stately NOVA Lion on Dec 30, 2009 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
You beat us. We didn’t know that. Congratulations. I hope in the future that you (like some other BHGP posters) will have more to add to the discussion here than “SCOREBOARD!”.
"Jamelle Cornley is 6’4", and 6’3" of it is balls." - RUTS
by ReadingRambler on Dec 30, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
Ahhh, the Poking Stick
Time to disarm!
"We just forgot our pants. Nothing against the team or anything like that." -- take a guess
They're usually better than this, too.
"Jamelle Cornley is 6’4", and 6’3" of it is balls." - RUTS
by ReadingRambler on Dec 30, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
oh, bstylin's alright
until blogistan turns into video-commenting, the nuances of the jest will remain largely lost. I’m picturing a gentle ribbing at a friendly tailgate. His track record’s pretty clean, earns benefit of doubt.
But he is a dirty Iowan, so he could be a monster bitch as well.
"We just forgot our pants. Nothing against the team or anything like that." -- take a guess
No, you don't understand
Iowans are usually capable of multiple well-written sentences that demonstrate a full knowledge of our language and its glory.
Ask them, they’ll tell you.
"Jamelle Cornley is 6’4", and 6’3" of it is balls." - RUTS
by ReadingRambler on Dec 30, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Sabin >>> everyone
"Every player we have, someone-maybe a parent, a grandparent, someone-poured their soul into that young man. They are handing that young man off to us. They are giving us their treasure, and it's our job to make sure we give them back that young man intact and ready to face the world."
-J.V.Pa.
that wasnt even clever disappointing
"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. "
George S Patton
by psu in the w-b on Dec 30, 2009 8:01 PM EST up reply actions
there has not been enough HATE!
Lucky gun, fake fifth, 8XY bitch
Daryll Clark, The Penn State Football Story Is...
I know
We need Cairo ASAP.
"Jamelle Cornley is 6’4", and 6’3" of it is balls." - RUTS
by ReadingRambler on Dec 30, 2009 7:41 PM EST up reply actions
I'll try and come up with an interesting photoshop
Lucky gun, fake fifth, 8XY bitch
Daryll Clark, The Penn State Football Story Is...
can we work in the picture of les miles sticking out his tongue getting a gatordade bath? that could be a good foundation
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
Please please please
Let the PSU coaching staff see it this way:
LSU isn’t great at returning kicks which is kind of surprising considering their punt return numbers.
We look bad on paper. But we are dangerous returning kickoffs. Very dangerous.
Gregatron is not responsible for any of the crap he just wrote.
St. Louis vegetarian blog
That's what I've been saying all along.
Everyone thinks I’m joking when I say give it to LSU at the 40 every drive. The absence of Trindan Holliday has been explained rationally to me as “they kick away from him.” Our kick coverage has never been explained to me, rationally or otherwise. Give LSU the ball at the 40 and let the D worry about it. Shit, The Stache can stop Jefferson on its own.
"Have I ever told the story of when I met Miley Cyrus?"
by Jeff Junstrom on Dec 31, 2009 1:05 AM EST up reply actions
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