Penn St. Nittany Lions (5-2, 3-0 Big Ten) at Ohio St. Buckeyes (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten)

5:30 p.m. ET, Oct. 27, 2012 - ESPN
Beaver Stadium (Capacity: 110,753) / University Park, PA

Penn State	Value (Nat'l Rank)	Value (Nat'l Rank)	Ohio State	Advantage
Rushing Offense (ypg)	149.29 (77)	121.63 (30)	Rushing Defense (ypg)
Passing Offense (ypg)	257.14 (45)	271.75 (105)	Passing Defense (ypg)
Pass Efficiency	133.83 (60)	119.07 (42)	Pass Efficiency Defense	Push
Total Offense (ypg)	406.43 (59)	393.38 (63)	Total Defense (ypg)	Push
Scoring Offense (ppg)	28.57 (62)	24.25 (50)	Scoring Defense (ppg)	Push
Rushing Defense (ypg)	113.00 (21)	249.63 (10)	Rushing Offense (ypg)	Push
Passing Defense (ypg)	209.71 (38)	189.00 (T-101)	Passing Offense (ypg)
Pass Efficiency Defense	116.21 (36)	136.76 (52)	Pass Efficiency	Push
Total Defense (ypg)	322.71 (22)	438.63 (40)	Total Offense (ypg)	Push
Scoring Defense (ppg)	15.71 (13)	39.00 (21)	Scoring Offense (ppg)	Push
Net Punting Yds	30.19 (120)	9.18 (T-54)	Punt Return Yds
Punt Return Yds	5.59 (91)	36.49 (71)	Net Punting Yds	Push
Kickoff Return Yds	18.53 (100)	20.70 (51)	Kickoff Return Defense
Kickoff Return Defense	21.14 (62)	10.90 (68)	Kickoff Return Yds	Push
Turnover Margin	1.14 (14)	0.13 (52)	Turnover Margin
Penalty Yds/Game	44.86 (35)	65.13 (92)	Penalty Yds/Game
Sacks	2.57/gm (31)	1.88 (65)	Sacks Allowed	Push
Sacks Allowed	1.14/gm (T-24)	2.00 (T-53)	Sacks
Redzone Offense (%)	73% (94)	72% (23)	Redzone Defense (%)
Redzone Defense (%)	60% (6)	88% (23)	Redzone Offense (%)	Push
Redzone TD %	60%	48%	Redzone TD % Defense
Redzone TD % Defense	50%	79%	Redzone TD %	Push
3rd Down Conv. %	45.69 (29)	35.88 (44)	3rd Down Defense %	Push
3rd Down Defense %	37.25 (58)	43.93 (41)	3rd Down Conv. %	Push
1st Downs Per Game	23.43 (32)	19.00 (45)	1st Downs Allowed PG	Push
1st Downs Allowed PG	17.14 (20)	21.13 (59)	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: So we have a slight lead on OSU in the logo department. But as it seems I write each week, the numbers are a bit skewed. Ohio State has the benefit of two quarterbacks that can scramble and do it well. That could kill Penn State on third down, particularly if the defense has its back turned playing man coverage. However, Penn State is still being dragged down by the first two games, in that the TD/Redzone percentage is much lower than it has been since BOB realized going for it on 4th down ain't too shabby.

Strictly speaking about the offense-defense matchups, this one actually favors Penn State's offense. Ohio State has been uncharacteristically average on defense this season. Even though they've played some "air raid" style offenses of late, their pass defense numbers still should be better than that. Matt McGloin has been on fire, and should be licking his chops at the prospect of going up against a mediocre pass defense like the Buckeyes'. On the flip side, Penn State's run defense was aided by the anemic Iowa ground game, but still has improved greatly over the last few weeks. Shutting down the OSU run game, while forcing either Braxton Miller or Kenny Guiton to pass his way to victory seems like the only guarantee to keep the Buckeyes in check.

More analysis as the week goes on, but for now, the stats do favor the home team in this one.

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.