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Penn St. Nittany Lions (8-2, 5-1 Big Ten) vs. Ohio St. Buckeyes (6-4, 3-3)
BIG TEN LEADERS/EAST/PIG DIVISIONAL GAME
3:30 p.m. ET, November 19, 2011
Ohio Stadium (Capacity: 102,329)
| Penn State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Ohio State | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 162.80 (58) |
119.30 (27) |
Rushing Defense (ypg) |  |
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 195.70 (87) |
197.90 (28) |
Passing Defense (ypg) |
|
| Pass Efficiency | 107.77 (108) |
122.37 (46) |
Pass Efficiency Defense |
|
| Total Offense (ypg) | 358.50 (88) |
317.20 (15) |
Total Defense (ypg) |
|
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 21.00 (102) | 18.90 (16) |
Scoring Defense (ppg) |
|
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 119.50 (28) |
200.50 (27) |
Rushing Offense (ypg) | Push |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 167.70 (4) |
117.10 (118) |
Passing Offense (ypg) |
|
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 96.02 (4) |
122.45 (82) |
Pass Efficiency |
|
| Total Defense (ypg) | 287.20 (8) |
317.60 (108) |
Total Offense (ypg) |
|
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 12.90 (3) | 25.30 (74) |
Scoring Offense (ppg) |
|
| Net Punting Yds | 35.15 (91) |
10.70 (33) |
Punt Return Yds |
|
| Punt Return Yds | 6.91 (78) |
38.03 (35) |
Net Punting Yds | |
| Kickoff Return Yds | 24.21 (19) |
18.28 (11) |
Kickoff Return Defense |
|
| Kickoff Return Defense | 21.50 (67) |
25.81 (10) |
Kickoff Return Yds |
|
| Turnover Margin | +0.60 (21) |
+0.50 (27) |
Turnover Margin | Push |
| Penalty Yds/Game | 41.20 (27) |
46.80 (47) |
Penalty Yds/Game | Push |
| Sacks | 2.40 (28) |
3.30 (116) |
Sacks Allowed |
|
| Sacks Allowed | 1.20 (24) |
2.20 (37) |
Sacks | Push |
| Redzone Offense (%) | 79% (77) |
%81 (56) |
Redzone Defense (%) | Push |
| Redzone Defense (%) | 92% (116) |
88% (24) |
Redzone Offense (%) |
|
| Redzone TD % | 63% |
76% |
Redzone TD % Defense | |
| Redzone TD % Defense | 64% |
71% |
Redzone TD % | |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 36.49 (96) |
38.51 (53) |
3rd Down Defense % | |
| 3rd Down Defense % | 35.63 (30) |
38.41 (78) |
3rd Down Conv. % | |
| 1st Downs Per Game | 19.60 (78) |
16.50 (17) |
1st Downs Allowed PG |
|
| 1st Downs Allowed PG | 16.30 (14) |
16.90 (105) | 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 judgment.
Analysis below the jump...
This game could get weird. Both defenses look like they could dominate the opposing offense. This could mean a bunch of offensive (literally) screw ups that allow the other team to capitalize. Things like short fields, red zone scoring, and (gulp) defensive touchdowns could be a staple of a game like this one. And from what history shows, Ohio State would be favored by a significant margin in a game like that against Penn State, as the Buckeyes have scored more defensive points against Penn State than the Nittany Lions have scored total against the Scarlett and Gray.
But, on paper, it looks like Penn State's defense has the upper hand. That doesn't mean emotions aren't still running high from last week. I've been thinking that it might be a good thing for this team to get out of State College for a while. Well, that, provided the opposing fans don't act like they are likely to act toward the Nittany Lions after recent events.
Opponent comparison... I've subjectively listed each team's opponents in order, top to bottom, strongest to weakest.
| Penn State | Ohio State |
|---|---|
| Alabama Crimson Tide (L) 11 - 27 |
Wisconsin Badgers (W) 33-29 |
|
Nebraska Cornhuskers (L) 17-14 |
Michigan St. Spartans (L)10-7 |
| Illinois Fighting Illini (W) 10-7 | Nebraska Cornhuskers (L) 34-27 |
| Purdue Boilermakers (W) 23 - 18 |
Illinois Fighting Illini (W) 17-7 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes (W) 13 - 3 |
Purdue Boilermakers (L) 26-23 OT |
| Temple Owls (W) 14 - 10 |
Miami Hurricanes (L) 24-6 |
| Northwestern Wildcats (W) 34-24 | Toledo Rockets (W) 27-22 |
| Eastern Michigan Eagles (W) 34 - 6 | Colorado Buffaloes (W) 37-17 |
| Indiana Hoosiers (W) 16-10 |
Indiana Hoosiers (W) 34-20 |
| Indiana St. Sycamores (FCS) (W) 41 - 7 |
Akron Zips (W) 42-0 |
Ohio State has probably played the tougher schedule, but not by much. Akron is gawd-awful, as are the Hoosiers. Colorado is bucking for that same distinction, while Miami is trying its darnedest to be the posterchild for mediocrity this season. Purdue just upended the Buckeyes. Illinois is sinking fast. Nebraska beat both Penn State and Ohio State. Alabama would annihilate both Wisconsin and Michigan State right now.
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