Penn St. Nittany Lions (3-2, 1-0 Big Ten) vs. No. 22 Northwestern Wildcats (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten)

12:00 p.m. ET, Oct. 6, 2012 - ESPN
Beaver Stadium (Capacity: 110,753) / University Park, PA

Penn State	Value (Nat'l Rank)	Value (Nat'l Rank)	Northwestern	Advantage
Rushing Offense (ypg)	133.80 (86)	90.00 (13)	Rushing Defense (ypg)
Passing Offense (ypg)	245.80 (53)	289.00 (106)	Passing Defense (ypg)
Pass Efficiency	132.19 (71)	123.44 (49)	Pass Efficiency Defense
Total Offense (ypg)	379.60 (83)	379.00 (58)	Total Defense (ypg)
Scoring Offense (ppg)	24.60 (86)	20.60 (T-36)	Scoring Defense (ppg)
Rushing Defense (ypg)	129.80 (46)	255.80 (9)	Rushing Offense (ypg)
Passing Defense (ypg)	227.80 (60)	210.80 (87)	Passing Offense (ypg)
Pass Efficiency Defense	125.12 (53)	129.72 (75)	Pass Efficiency	Push
Total Defense (ypg)	357.60 (47)	466.60 (37)	Total Offense (ypg)	Push
Scoring Defense (ppg)	13.60 (14)	33.80 (42)	Scoring Offense (ppg)
Net Punting Yds	32.53 (114)	21.50 (7)	Punt Return Yds
Punt Return Yds	7.18 (71)	40.39 (25)	Net Punting Yds
Kickoff Return Yds	16.25 (110)	22.64 (86)	Kickoff Return Defense	Push
Kickoff Return Defense	18.00 (20)	15.43 (115)	Kickoff Return Yds
Turnover Margin	+1.40 (T-14)	+0.40 (T-45)	Turnover Margin
Penalty Yds/Game	42.40 (33)	53.40 (T-63)	Penalty Yds/Game
Sacks	2.60 (31)	2.00 (T-67)	Sacks Allowed
Sacks Allowed	1.20 (T-25)	1.60 (T-79)	Sacks
Redzone Offense (%)	62% (111)	72% (32)	Redzone Defense (%)
Redzone Defense (%)	62% (T-9)	92% (15)	Redzone Offense (%)	Push
Redzone TD %	52%	38%	Redzone TD % Defense	Push
Redzone TD % Defense	46%	52%	Redzone TD %	Push
3rd Down Conv. %	45.45 (40)	38.36 (64)	3rd Down Defense %	Push
3rd Down Defense %	42.31 (85)	54.32% (9)	3rd Down Conv. %
1st Downs Per Game	21.20 (58)	20.20 (61)	1st Downs Allowed PG	Push
1st Downs Allowed PG	18.20 (37)	27.20 (11)	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 =

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 judgment.

Quick thoughts: Penn State has a pretty significant lead here when it comes to its offense against Northwestern's defense. However, Northwestern has an even bigger advantage on special teams, where the Wildcats crush the Nittany Lions in the logo battle. Red Zone production is skewed heavily due to Penn State's inability to make a field goal.

What say you?

Follow @BSDtweet on Twitter
And join us on Facebook
All BSD community members should review our current Posting & Commenting Policies before creating any posts or commenting.