8:17 p.m. ET, December 7, 2013--FOX Lucas Oil Stadium (Capacity: 67,455 / Indianapolis, IN)
Michigan State
Value (Nat'l Rank)
Value (Nat'l Rank)
Ohio State
Advantage
Rushing Offense (ypg)
186.2 (47)
100.0 (5)
Rushing Defense (ypg)
Passing Offense (ypg)
194.0 (94)
255.8 (98)
Passing Defense (ypg)
Push
Pass Efficiency
126.26 (75)
128.37 (73)
Pass Efficiency Defense
Push
Total Offense (ypg)
380.2 (84)
355.8 (30)
Total Defense (ypg)
Scoring Offense (ppg)
29.4 (63)
20.3 (18)
Scoring Defense (ppg)
Rushing Defense (ypg)
64.8 (1)
321.3 (2)
Rushing Offense (ypg)
Push
Passing Defense (ypg)
172.9 (9)
209.3 (83)
Passing Offense (ypg)
Pass Efficiency Defense
91.79 (1)
164.0 (7)
Pass Efficiency
Push
Total Defense (ypg)
237.7 (1)
530.5 (6)
Total Offense (ypg)
Push
Scoring Defense (ppg)
11.8 (4)
48.2 (3)
Scoring Offense (ppg)
Push
Net Punting Yds
38.46 (29)
8.69 (56)
Punt Return Yds
Punt Return Yds
9.88 (43)
39.84 (13)
Net Punting Yds
Kickoff Return Yds
18.4 (111)
17.93 (9)
Kickoff Return Defense
Kickoff Return Defense
20.76 (56)
22.92 (38)
Kickoff Return Yds
Push
Turnover Margin
+1.3 (5)
+.5 (T-28)
Turnover Margin
Push
Penalty Yds/Game
54.25 (92)
43.0 (46)
Penalty Yds/Game
Sacks
2.42/gm (T-38)
1.25 (T-21)
Sacks Allowed
Push
Sacks Allowed
1.0/gm (T-12)
3.25 (T-21)
Sacks
Push
Redzone Offense (%)
80% (T-78)
78.9% (35)
Redzone Defense (%)
Redzone Defense (%)
73.9% (T-18)
94.6% (4)
Redzone Offense (%)
Push
Redzone TD %
55.56%
65.79%
Redzone TD % Defense
Push
Redzone TD % Defense
43.48%
83.93%
Redzone TD %
3rd Down Conv. %
46% (28)
34.5% (25)
3rd Down Defense %
Push
3rd Down Defense %
28.7% (2)
52.1% (9)
3rd Down Conv. %
Push
4th Down Conv. %
58.3% (T-31)
52.4% (T-66)
4th Down Defense %
4th Down Defense %
40% (24)
66.7% (T-12)
4th Down Conv. %
Push
1st Downs
249 (63)
236 (47)
1st Downs Allowed
Push
1st Downs Allowed
169 (T-2)
314 (9)
1st Downs
Push
Time of Posession
33:32 (6)
31:38 (33)
Time of Posession
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: You'd be hard pressed to find a more even match up.
The focus of this game, of course, will be MSU's vaunted defense against OSU's explosive offense--immovable object meets unstoppable force, indeed. But if the Buckeye defense can stop the Spartan offense, what happens then? How does that impact the game?
I'm actually more interested to see how special teams factors into this game. If this was a Tressel-Dantonio matchup, I'd expect a low-scoring, field-position battle. As it stands, though, I'm not so sure. MSU's D is certainly legit, but so is Braxton Miller. Either way, I'll be watching--and hoping for some great football on a big stage this week.
What say you guys? Will you be watching--and, if so, is there anything that could make you root at all for the Buckeyes?