Just the Stats: Illinois at Penn State
by Mike Pettigano on Oct 26, 2011 9:01 AM EDT
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Two teams heading, quite briskly, in very opposite directions meet this week in central Pennsylvania for a divisional matchup bigger than any (seriously) we've seen so far this season to date. Penn State needs this win to stay on track for a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. Meanwhile, Illinois needs this win to simply pull out of its fiery tailspin.
The weather should be rather November-y this weekend, with light snow or sleet surely affecting some of the gameplans. Expect heavy doses of running game from both sides, in what should turn out to be something of a retro Big Ten football game. And I'm going to enjoy every second of it.
Penn St. Nittany Lions (7-1, 4-0 Big Ten) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (6-2, 2-2 Big Ten)
BIG TEN LEADERS/EAST/PIG DIVISION GAME
3:30 p.m. ET, October 29, 2011
Beaver Stadium (Capacity: 107,252)
| Penn State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Illinois | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 168.88 (50) |
101.88 (T-19) |
Rushing Defense (ypg) |  |
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 206.25 (84) |
187.13 (21) |
Passing Defense (ypg) | |
| Pass Efficiency | 115.26 (98) |
121.39 (42) |
Pass Efficiency Defense | |
| Total Offense (ypg) | 375.13 (76) |
289.00 (10) |
Total Defense (ypg) | |
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 23.25 (89) |
18.13 (15) |
Scoring Defense (ppg) | |
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 101.88 (T-19) | 199.25 (8) | Rushing Offense (ypg) | Push |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 180.00 (14) |
217.88 (72) |
Passing Offense (ypg) |  |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 97.47 (5) |
147.40 (31) |
Pass Efficiency | |
| Total Defense (ypg) | 281.88 (8) |
417.13 (45) |
Total Offense (ypg) | |
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 13.13 (5) |
28.63 (64) | Scoring Offense (ppg) | |
| Net Punting Yds | 34.74 (95) |
1.82 (116) |
Punt Return Yds | Push |
| Punt Return Yds | 6.61 (79) |
34.16 (102) |
Net Punting Yds | Push |
| Kickoff Return Yds | 24.58 (20) |
23.67 (100) |
Kickoff Return Defense | |
| Kickoff Return Defense | 22.06 (73) |
16.33 (118) |
Kickoff Return Yds | |
| Turnover Margin | +0.63 (T-27) |
-0.25 (T-74) |
Turnover Margin | |
| Penalty Yds/Game | 43.75 (31) |
38.75 (15) |
Penalty Yds/Game | Push |
| Sacks | 2.63 (23) |
2.88 (106) | Sacks Allowed | |
| Sacks Allowed | 0.88 (14) |
3.38 (8) |
Sacks | Push |
| Redzone Offense (%) | 0.76 (87) |
0.80 (44) |
Redzone Defense (%) | |
| Redzone Defense (%) | 0.95 (117) |
0.87 (34) |
Redzone Offense (%) | |
| Redzone TD % | 0.47 |
0.60 |
Redzone TD % Defense | |
| Redzone TD % Defense | 0.55 |
0.677 |
Redzone TD % | |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 39.32 (73) |
32.17 (18) |
3rd Down Defense % | |
| 3rd Down Defense % | 34.92 (35) |
50.43 (13) |
3rd Down Conv. % | Push |
| 1st Downs Per Game | 20.13 (73) |
16.00 (14) |
1st Downs Allowed PG | |
| 1st Downs Allowed PG | 15.75 (13) |
21.63 (45) |
1st Downs Per Game | |
Difference <25 in National Rank = Push
Difference >25 in National Rank =
Difference >50 in National Rank =
Difference >75 in National Rank =
Difference >100 in National Rank =
The "Old" Mike's 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.
Logos: Not a fan of those first few lines, where Illinois has a statistical advantage when its defense is matched against Penn State's offense. But Penn State makes up for it when the opposite sides are matched. Also, Penn State matches up extremely well when it comes to sacks for and against. This could be a major factor in this game, considering how the Nittany Lions front seven absolutely demolished Dan Persa and Kain Colter last week with seven sacks. The big benefit to Illinois is their running game, something Northwestern severely lacked. But the Illini have been shut down the last two games, including against Purdue. So there is hope that Penn State's defense can smother Illinois enough to cover the PSU offense.
Opposition comparison: Penn State's list moved around a bit this week, with Temple falling down the strength chart, while Iowa and Purdue moved up. Illinois' best opponent was Arizona State, which is now 5-2 after a blowout loss (but close early) to Oregon. Still, no one on the schedule this season will top having Alabama as an opponent. So comparing down the list, I've subjectively ordered each of the opponents from best (top) to worst (bottom). For more on each team, click on their linked names. Comparing across the table, Penn State has played the slightly stronger schedule, helped by the Bama game, and two quality MAC teams. Penn State's opponents, matched as they are below, would have a winning record against their counterparts on Illinois' side of the chart.
| Penn State | Illinois |
|---|---|
| #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (L) 11 - 27 | #21 Arizona St. Sun Devils (W) 17-14 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes (W) 13 - 3 | Ohio St. Buckeyes (L) 17-7 |
| Purdue Boilermakers (W) 23 - 18 | Purdue Boilermakers (L) 21-14 |
| Temple Owls (W) 14 - 10 | Northwestern Wildcats (W) 38-35 |
| Northwestern Wildcats (W) 34-24 | Indiana Hoosiers (W) 41-20 |
| Indiana Hoosiers (W) 16-10 | Arkansas St. Red Wolves (W) 33-15 |
| Eastern Michigan Eagles (W) 34 - 6 | Western Michigan Broncos (W) 23-20 |
| Indiana St. Sycamores (FCS) (W) 41 - 7 | South Dakota St. Jackrabbits(FCS) (W) 56-3 |
What else do you see in these stats? Let's discuss...
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I think we're going to see Special Teams play a big role
As mentioned in the podcast, with the Zooker having taken Special Teams under his wing, and our KRs quietly having a pretty darn good year, I think that could be a big factor. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Powell bust a big one (or even two).
by psuwxman on Oct 26, 2011 9:12 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
That is a great point
I was going to comment that I couldn’t remember seeing that many PSU logos for special teams before. Other than that horrific fumble, Powell has been having a much better year than I thought he would. And if Fera can boom some deep kickoffs, while Powell can get some good return yards, that should make things a lot easier on our offense and make it a bit tougher on theirs.
by GMac14 on Oct 26, 2011 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Powell is a really great KR when he hangs on to the ball..
Its not often you see such a tall dude with that kind of speed and strength during a return.
by Artiefufkin10 on Oct 26, 2011 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
What makes him a good returner also can make him a frustrating one
He is very patient and does his best to wait for the blocking before he finds his lane and then takes off. It works great when he can find the lane and make his cut. But other times, it just results in him slowly running toward the 20 yard line and then getting tackled. (Although I will say he seems to have improved a lot this year in that regard.)
I'm wondering if we see another Northwester-esque first half
with ILL hanging very tough, if not leading for a while. Then in the second half, the defense clamps down enough for the offense to pull out the win.
A Garden State Nittany Lion...
"The way things are these days, 9-3 and one of the best graduation rates in the country doesn't seem like such a terrible bargain to make." - Michael Weinreb
This.
Or at least the second part. They may be such a dumpster fire that they don’t really keep up (think they do, but predicting a Zook team is as futile as resistance), but I doubt they do much of anything in the second half.
"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.
by psume06 on Oct 26, 2011 11:20 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
So I hear Illinois has this Mercilus guy...
Probably my biggest concern is that PSU’s offense hasn’t faced an individual elite defender like that since the Alabama game. That could mean trouble for the O-line and McGloin, and potential disaster if Bolden (who’s terrible at handling pressure) is in there.
Otherwise, I like the way we match up here, especially if the weather helps ground Illinois’ passing game (though accuweather is promising me clear skies…)
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by newenglandnittanylion on Oct 26, 2011 9:30 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Not sure if he's a DE or not,
but if he is, it would be nice to see the coaching staff employ a strategy similar to what other team’s have used against our pressure. Let the guys get up field and then run some draws and counters to their vacated area. I think Purdue did this rather effectively against our defensive front’s pressure.
by GMac14 on Oct 26, 2011 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Speaking of
What did Purdue do against him. I heard he was pretty much a non-factor in the game.
Purdue game
- they blocked him well; I watched the game and IIRC, they had no sacks on TerBush.
" When you cross that Blue Line, you are mine...Across the Blue Line, it's all football. " " And what you need to do in your life is paint Blue Lines everywhere. " - Joe Paterno 2009
by BlueWhiteLife on Oct 26, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Traps are also a good way to handle backfield penetration.
Get that DT/DE isolated and then wallop him with a pulling guard or tackle who has some speed built up. Hit him a couple times like that, and he might be reluctant to show his face after that.
Mercilus is tough, so the O coaches need to cycle the RBs in and out to keep them fresh while blocking this guy. I’d like to see Dukes match up against Ming (the Mercilus).
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
by PSU_Lions_84 on Oct 26, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
You don't even want to know
what went through my head for a split second after this:
Traps are also a good way to handle backfield penetration.
Probably the same thoughts that were intruding on me
as I tried to carefully craft that post. I purposely did NOT write “a pulling guard or tackle with a head of steam” — I figured “traps” and “backfield penetration” would bring an “R” rating. Adding in the rest guaranteed an “X” rating . . . .
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
by PSU_Lions_84 on Oct 26, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
This!
" When you cross that Blue Line, you are mine...Across the Blue Line, it's all football. " " And what you need to do in your life is paint Blue Lines everywhere. " - Joe Paterno 2009
by BlueWhiteLife on Oct 26, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Wasn't Bolden far better than McGloin vs. Bama?
That’s rhetorical. I was better than McGloin against Bama, and I was on my couch. Few college quarterbacks are good at handling constant pressure, but I see little difference between Bolden and McGloin in that area.
by kijana's acl on Oct 26, 2011 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
No QB...
is great at handling constant pressure. Even the Brady’s, Manning’s, Brees’ of the world struggle with it.
Vamonos Mantequilla Vamonos!
by Esteban d' Amur on Oct 26, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Saw a stat recently that purported to show that Aaron Rodgers is better when blitzed
so I hedged.
by kijana's acl on Oct 26, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Well Aaron Rodgers is the second coming of Football Jesus
so he doesn’t count.
Also, he kinda looks like a muppet.
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You are correct. Aaron Rodgers is the second coming of Football Jesus. Over the past year he has played the quarterback position about as well as anyone in the NFL has ever played it. Whether or not that will continue is tough to say. Should also be pointed out that, in a tribute to the brilliance of college football coaches everywhere, he did not have a single scholarship offer coming out of HS.
Can you imagine what Aaron Rodgers could have done for Penn State from 2001 to 2004?
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by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Oct 26, 2011 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Blitzing doesn't always..
mean constant pressure. Many teams, not all, blitz because they aren’t getting sufficient presurre with their front four. Rodgers may be the exception to the rule.
Vamonos Mantequilla Vamonos!
by Esteban d' Amur on Oct 26, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
OSU and Purdue set the blueprint for beating Zook...
you shutdown their primary WR and deal with the running game.
I think Zook tries to run a lot of option on Saturday to wear out the defense.
I would love that
Because this year we have the LBs to completely suffocate the option.
"I don’t know what he’s done differently, whether he’s eating differently or Sue is making him happier, but he’s definitely a different coach out there" Devon Still
I think so too.
I’m not sold on Scheelhase (sp?) as a downfield passing threat when their primary WR is shut down.
by Artiefufkin10 on Oct 26, 2011 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I think that blueprint was obvious all along
Also, I said yesterday, but I want to see Amos lock Jenkins down. I think he’s the most physically capable of our CBs.
"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.
by psume06 on Oct 26, 2011 11:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I disagree
Powell’s been pretty darn good this year, and he likes to mix it up, and he’s got speed to burn. I think he’d be a good match, Powell seems to feed on it when a team tries to pick on him too much.
Fun with the transitive property
Common opponents: 3ish (Purdue, jNW, Indiana, and I almost included Eastern and Western Michigan, because while not technically the same team, pretty much are)
Score ratios against common opponents: Penn State (73 / 52 — 1.4:1), Illinois (93 / 76 — 1.2:1) — 16.7% advantage to Penn State
Offensive yards per possession against common opponents:
v. jNW
Penn State: 37.4
Illinois: 37.8
Great example of “numbers don’t lie, but they don’t always tell the whole truth either.” Silas Redd’s 1 play, 19 yard TD run actually hurt PSU’s average. Illinois had a 95 yard scoring drive that seriously brought up their average. Illinois had 3 possessions that resulted in less than 3 total yards each.
v. Purdue
Penn State: 29.5
Illinois: 26.6
Penn State was better against Purdue. Yup.
v. Indiana
Penn State: 35.2
Illinois: 40.9
A gimmicky offense with an athletic QB will shred a bad defense. PSU does not have this, Illinois does, but PSU had no trouble whatsoever getting yards on Indiana. Illinois did more than the numbers would suggest, as 89 and 97 yard drives will bring up that average big time, but they didn’t have any trouble either. How PSU only scored 16 points? Still beats me.
GO IOWA AWESOME, now and forever, unless PSU sees them in the B1G CG
Beat jNW
median average yards per possession
v. Indiana
Penn State: 35.7
Illinois: 37.3
v. jNW
Penn State: 37.0
Illinois: 36.7
v. Purdue
PSU: 24.0
Illinois: 20.5
Penn State is a slightly better offensive football team than Illinois. Penn State is a much better defensive football team than Illinois. Penn State is playing at home. The opponent is coached by Ron Zook. Why am I still nervous?
GO IOWA AWESOME, now and forever, unless PSU sees them in the B1G CG
Beat jNW
because you never know which Illinois team will show up.
Fire Dan Snyder
by Cari Greene on Oct 26, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Which Illinois team?
The Illinois team which looked awful against two mediocre opponents (Though Purdue is improving), needed a last second score to beat a bad jNW team, and whose only decent win came against an ok Arizona State team?
I think maybe Illinois was never really that great to begin with – and, man, that SOS isn’t really that impressive.
Oh, the sun shines bright on my Pennsyltucky home.
by ReadingRambler on Oct 26, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Because there isn't much of a margin for error here
Illinois has a balanced offense and a very good defense. Definitely this could be a game that swings on a few momentum changing plays. All that is moot if the PSU D dominates, but I really expect Ill to score a bit due to its balanced offense. In that case it’s up to the PSU O to score in the red zone and avoid big turnovers.
by gcdyersb on Oct 26, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Their offense isn't really balanced
Take Jenkins out of the equation (something most Big Ten teams can do that non-BCS teams can’t) and Illinois is one dimensional. See last two weeks.
"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.
by psume06 on Oct 26, 2011 11:51 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Our scoring has been handicapped by
drive-killing penalties, freak turnovers (Suhey’s fumble out of the end zone, Szczerba’s missed pass that was INT’d, the weird Rockette kick-the-ball-in-the-air for an INT), and so on. There were two or three games where we left 7-10 points on the table for these reasons.
Most of the derp things cannot be cured, but hopefully the odds are starting to tilt back in our favor, as we head into the home stretch of the regular season.
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
by PSU_Lions_84 on Oct 26, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Drive killing penalties
I dont know if its just me, but we seem to have at least 1 TD per every 2 games or so called back because of a hold. Drives me crazy. Of course, it almost never gets called otherwise…
I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
Follow @134Lounge
I've probably posted than I should on
the “inconsistent” officiating. Short version is, Call it the same way for both teams. To do otherwise fuels complaints about bias and zebra interference with the game.
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
by PSU_Lions_84 on Oct 26, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
IIRC
PSU has 4 if not 5 games – and I’m pretty sure it is the latter – where they have scored TD’s and they were called back due to a supposed penalty.
And not being picky, it was #9 Zordich whom fumbled the ball just infront of the endzone marker – if that is the play you were referring to. I don’t recall Suhey with a fumble this year.
" When you cross that Blue Line, you are mine...Across the Blue Line, it's all football. " " And what you need to do in your life is paint Blue Lines everywhere. " - Joe Paterno 2009
by BlueWhiteLife on Oct 26, 2011 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Truly a week where we see...
if a very good defense /mediocre offense beats a very good offense/mediocre defense.
I like our chances. Of course this now means we should be very, very worried.
"my dad says Michigan used to be good"
I'm not convinced that Illinois has a very good offense.
I’ve seen most of their last two games, though. That’s permanently damaged me.
by Chris Grovich on Oct 26, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
these two teams are certainly heading in opposite directions based on the last two games
like Mike says in the first line
"my dad says Michigan used to be good"
This
Illinois is not a better offensive football team than Penn State. Throw the point total against Indiana out; that was a fluke. Penn State scored a roughly equal number of points (in fewer possessions) against jNW and Purdue (57 as opposed to 58) and significantly more points against Eastern Michigan than Illinois did against Western Michigan, who, like Sarah Jessica Parker and Marilyn Manson, I will be convinced are the same entity until I see them together in person..
Not only that, but Illinois is exactly the type of football team the BBDS should shut down. While quite capable of long drives, they are not all that capable of 12+ play long scoring drives. Nearly all of their long scoring drives against Indiana, Purdue, and jNW all involved a 30+ yard pass to Jenkins. Keep A.J. Jenkins in front of you and tackle well, and Illinois will eventually trip over their own dong.
GO IOWA AWESOME, now and forever, unless PSU sees them in the B1G CG
Beat Illinois
by ckmneon on Oct 26, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I am worried
Before the season and while the Bolden/McGloin debate was still active, a constant assumption around here seemed to be that the performance against Northwestern is not indicative of very much. But after we put up 30 points on jNW, the consensus seems to be that the team has turned a corner? The only B1G team we’ve beaten by double digits is also one of the few that hasn’t won in conference play.
The only thing about this week that makes me confident is that Illinois has looked very shaky in B1G play: losing to Purdon’t and OSU, winning a very tight one against jNW and taking it on the nose against Indiana in the first half before pulling away.
But the 2011 edition of the Nittany Lions are still a team that requires extreme caution. Fear and Doom should be constantly in the front of our minds. Even though Obama has killed Gaddafi, Bin Laden, and Steve Jobs in a few short months, maybe the terrorists are winning, at least when it comes to college football. I live in fear and suggest you do the same.
I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.
How cute
If you think using objective observations—such as Northwestern’s historically awful defense—will convince many folks that what McGloin did last week was anything less than kick off his 2012 Heisman campaign, you’ve got another thing coming.
Sarcasm aside, Penn State has a lot more going for it in this game than last season. The defense is 100X better, and the offense is—relatively speaking—improving. But you’re absolutely correct. This game is worrisome. I was close to picking Illinois.
A Garden State Nittany Lion...
"The way things are these days, 9-3 and one of the best graduation rates in the country doesn't seem like such a terrible bargain to make." - Michael Weinreb
by Mike Pettigano on Oct 26, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
McGloin might get an invite to New York, NJ but not to New York, NY.
(I’m always amazed that there’s a New York, NJ right across the river from New York, NY. It’s actually “West New York, NJ” but who’s counting…)
I think this game will make me very nervous. Overconfidence kills.
"Illegitimus non Carborundum!" (Don't let the bastards wear you down)
Lack of confidence can hurt more, imho.
Here’s my personal viewpoint:
(1) Strong confidence in the defense, esp. the D that showed up in the second half last week. Play that way the entire game this weekend, and Penn State will be in the game.
(2) Strong confidence in the kicking game. I like how they realize that Fera as a punter will crush the ball, and put Butterworth in for “softer” punts. FGs/kick returns/punt returns are pretty solid — Powell, for instance, has provided much more positive than he has negative.
(3) Cautious optimism about the O, esp. the rushing game. Ming will be Mercilus, but he is just ONE player. Isolate him with a fullback or TE, and you will minimize (probably not eliminate) his disruptions. Roll out the QB, run a little wildcat, and, above all, light a fire under the O-linemen.
(4) Guarded optimism about the O coaches. Better execution last week = better playcalling as confidence grows. Then, hopefully better (more varied) playcalling leads to better execution, and the cycle builds.
I’m going with 16 – 10, in a game that is NOT as close as that score indicates.
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
by PSU_Lions_84 on Oct 26, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, lack of confidence is way worse (anecdotal story coming up)
I lift weights as a hobby, I’ve noticed if I go into a first set overconfident it can be a bit shaky but if I get through it, it wakes me up for the rest of the workout. If I completely fall apart during the set, I go the other way and lose all confidence and end up doing about 40% of what I really am capable of doing.
And a Kansas City in Missouri, right next to Kansas City, Kansas
Washingtonian and Penn Stater -- My blog features the triumph of hope over experience that is being a DC sports fan (especially the Nats) as well as the Nittany Lions, life in BeltwayLand and other things I find interesting. @doubleuefwhy
A Close Game
would not surprise me. Our big advantage appears to be special teams-but in some games special teams is a wash (neither team breaks a big return or misses an easy FG). Weather is a wild card-looks OK now though.
tO$U sucks-ALWAYS the right choice!
The Zookers
Were also the ones who needed a desperate last minute drive to beat Northwestern, after having come back from, I believe, 18 points in the 4th. Also they only beat Eastern Michigan by 3, and they almost lost that game as well. Not saying this will be an easy game, but they barely got to 6-0.
they beat Western Michigan, who was beaten by Eastern Michigan, who was beaten by us
transitive property RULES!
Fire Dan Snyder
by Cari Greene on Oct 26, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
"The Anti-Transitive Triangle"
Did you notice that it has been shattered? We beat Iowa, Iowa defeated NW but we still own NW!
tO$U sucks-ALWAYS the right choice!
by nits4ever on Oct 26, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
WE'RE GONNA WIN BY FIVE MILLION POINTS
But when I got back, the place I made the purchase no longer exists.
by WorldBFat on Oct 26, 2011 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs
Stylin' and Profilin' baby!
"The limits of my language mean the limits of my world" -- Ludwig Wittgenstein
Screw everyone on this blog who's not you.
Screw everyone in the world who’s not you.
Oh, the sun shines bright on my Pennsyltucky home.
by ReadingRambler on Oct 26, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
When I look at our rushing offense YPG average
What’s the change from the first 4 games to the recent 4 games? First 4 we averaged 137 YPG rushing and in last 4 we’ve averaged 198 YPG rushing. In Illinois’ first 4 games they allowed an average of 56 YPG but in the last 4 they’ve allowed 147 YPG rushing. So we’ve improved quite a bit over the last four games while Illinois defense has gotten worse against the run in the last 4 games.
However, against Purdue, the team we both played a week apart, we allowed the Boilermakers to gain 162 yards while Illinois held them to 126 yards rushing. Perhaps Illinois learned from our experience against Purdue the week before?
We allowed Purdue 182 yards of passing and Illinois allowed 178 so that really is a push. But offensively we gained 185 yards of passing while Illinois gained 245 yards of passing. So against Purdue the Illinois defense held Purdue to less yards than we did and the Illinois offense produced more yards that we did and yet we won against Purdue and they lost.
Illinois passed 41 times and we passed 23 times. We rushed 48 times against Purdue and Illinois rushed 33 times.
Purdue got one sack on us and they got 4 on Illinois.
"Illegitimus non Carborundum!" (Don't let the bastards wear you down)
In terms of Illinois' passing #s vs Purdue and ours
if you calc it out, Illinois had 5.97 yds per pass, while we had 8.04 yds. So, their overall # was greater, but we were much more effective. Do you know how the run yds per play stacked up? I am too lazy to look up overall running yards by each offense.
But, we were playing from ahead and ran to run out the clock—and our knees at the end go into our rushing attempts. Illinois was playing from behind, and passed to get back in the game, so that would be more passing attempts as well.
Fire Dan Snyder
by Cari Greene on Oct 26, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Illinois should be an easy win.
I feel like we have a great shot to be 8-1.
IMO, this game should be in the bag.
The good news about that is, none of us will be out on the field on Saturday,
by Altoona Man on Oct 26, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Well, except for Mike
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by Mike Pettigano on Oct 26, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
NEEDS MORE RECS
Oh, the sun shines bright on my Pennsyltucky home.
by ReadingRambler on Oct 26, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Could also work with Troy Smith vs. Hali.
In fact, it would be BETTER with Troy Smith getting baptized by Hali.
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by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Oct 26, 2011 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Stats and numbers be damned
We’ve got that sand-baggin’ sonofabitch Ron Zook starin’ us down from across the sidelines. A man who tempts Fate and her salty sting as he rides that fickle bitch Lady Luck down to the pits of Hell until the fires swallow him in a blaze of glory.
In other words, I have no idea how this game is going to turn out.
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by skarocksoi on Oct 26, 2011 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
PSU/Illinois
First time PSU takes the field against a non-Cupcake since Alabama…..
Yes, Saturday’s game will tell us a lot….. I’ll either be munching on my own words [bitter thought, that] or affirming my belief that a talented team simply cannot rise above the coaching controversy that is keeping Happy Valley in it’s shadow……
Stay tuned…..
So you're hoping for a PSU loss.
But when I got back, the place I made the purchase no longer exists.
Wait a second, Iowa is a cupcake? The same Iowa that's 5-2 and tied for second in their division? And is unbeaten at home and will likely hang 50 on Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium?
Temple isn’t so horrible, either, despite their loss to Bowling Green, they did pulverize Maryland 35-7 and are second in the MAC overall.
Purdue I would’ve agreed with you awhile back but they’re improving bit by bit.
Now, the Sycamores, the EMUs, the Hoosiers, and jNW are cupcakes, but every team has ’em on their schedule.
Altoona Man
Yep, Iowa’s a cupcake this year ~~ if, by season’s end, the Hawkeyes finish high in their division and/or go to a bowl, I’ll repent……
do you think they won't go to a bowl
with them at 5-2 and playing Minnesota this week?
I dunno…but I guess stranger things HAVE happened…
Fire Dan Snyder
by Cari Greene on Oct 26, 2011 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions
NotCarlotta
Sometimes my memory fades and I forget just how many so-called “bowls” there are nowadays….. But, as you say, “stranger things HAVE happened.” Guess we’ll have to await the decision of the bowl-gods…..
I think the big ten now has 8 bowl tie ins
so any team who is eligible will go bowling.
Fire Dan Snyder
Illinois is the best team we've faced since 'Bama
But is in the same league (figuratively speaking) as Iowa, Purdue, and Northwestern. All three have been dangerous opponents for PSU, and Illinois certainly will be, too. But to suggest that Illinois represents some sudden, massive upgrade in quality of opponent is kind of silly.
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by newenglandnittanylion on Oct 27, 2011 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
WorldBFat
No, not a loss! A win! I will willingly chew and swallow my own words if the D can give the O room to score enough to win! Not a diet I willingly choose, but the taste of my own words is preferable to the bitterness of a loss…..
I choose winning over losing every time…..
oh so hops bitter not hemlock bitter
fair enough
But when I got back, the place I made the purchase no longer exists.
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