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Just the Stats: Penn State at Ohio State

 (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Getty Images

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) Ohiostate_logo_medium
Passing Offense (ypg) 195.70 (87)
197.90 (28)
Passing Defense (ypg) Ohiostate_logo_mediumOhiostate_logo_medium
Pass Efficiency 107.77 (108)
122.37 (46)
Pass Efficiency Defense Ohiostate_logo_mediumOhiostate_logo_medium
Total Offense (ypg) 358.50 (88)
317.20 (15)
Total Defense (ypg) Ohiostate_logo_mediumOhiostate_logo_medium
Scoring Offense (ppg) 21.00 (102) 18.90 (16)
Scoring Defense (ppg) Ohiostate_logo_mediumOhiostate_logo_mediumOhiostate_logo_medium
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) Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_mediumPsulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium
Pass Efficiency Defense 96.02 (4)
122.45 (82)
Pass Efficiency Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium
Total Defense (ypg) 287.20 (8)
317.60 (108)
Total Offense (ypg) Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_mediumPsulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium
Scoring Defense (ppg) 12.90 (3) 25.30 (74)
Scoring Offense (ppg) Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium
Net Punting Yds 35.15 (91)
10.70 (33)
Punt Return Yds Ohiostate_logo_mediumOhiostate_logo_medium
Punt Return Yds 6.91 (78)
38.03 (35)
Net Punting Yds Ohiostate_logo_medium
Kickoff Return Yds 24.21 (19)
18.28 (11)
Kickoff Return Defense Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium
Kickoff Return Defense 21.50 (67)
25.81 (10)
Kickoff Return Yds Ohiostate_logo_mediumOhiostate_logo_medium
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 Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium
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 (%) Ohiostate_logo_mediumOhiostate_logo_mediumOhiostate_logo_medium
Redzone TD % 63%
76%
Redzone TD % Defense Ohiostate_logo_medium
Redzone TD % Defense 64%
71%
Redzone TD % Psulogo_medium
3rd Down Conv. % 36.49 (96)
38.51 (53)
3rd Down Defense % Ohiostate_logo_medium
3rd Down Defense % 35.63 (30)
38.41 (78)
3rd Down Conv. % Psulogo_medium
1st Downs Per Game 19.60 (78)
16.50 (17)
1st Downs Allowed PG Ohiostate_logo_mediumOhiostate_logo_medium
1st Downs Allowed PG 16.30 (14)
16.90 (105) 1st Downs Per Game Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium

Difference <25 in National Rank = Push

Difference >25 in National Rank = Psulogo_medium

Difference >50 in National Rank = Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium

Difference >75 in National Rank = Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium

Difference >100 in National Rank = Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_mediumPsulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium

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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