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Penn St. Nittany Lions (6-3, 4-1 Big Ten) at #16 Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten)
3:30 p.m. ET, Nov. 10, 2012 - ABC/ESPN
Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 81,091) / Lincoln, NE
| Penn State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Nebraska | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 140.22 (85) |
183.11 (T-87) |
Rushing Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 272.00 (37) |
156.00 (5) |
Passing Defense (ypg) |  |
| Pass Efficiency | 134.91 (57) |
99.67 (8) |
Pass Efficiency Defense | |
| Total Offense (ypg) | 412.22 (55) |
339.11 (31) |
Total Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 28.56 (62) |
25.22 (54) |
Scoring Defense (ppg) | Push |
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 123.56 (26) |
269.56 (6) |
Rushing Offense (ypg) | Push |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 211.00 (43) | 217.78 (79) | Passing Offense (ypg) |  |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 112.16 (22) |
146.54 (33) |
Pass Efficiency | Push |
| Total Defense (ypg) | 334.56 (26) |
487.33 (17) |
Total Offense (ypg) | Push |
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 17.11 (14) |
38.00 (20) |
Scoring Offense (ppg) | Push |
| Net Punting Yds | 32.17 (118) |
11.95 (24) |
Punt Return Yds |
|
| Punt Return Yds | 5.78 (92) |
36.06 (78) |
Net Punting Yds | |
| Kickoff Return Yds | 17.39 (113) |
21.42 (62) |
Kickoff Return Defense |
|
| Kickoff Return Defense | 21.97 (72) |
21.39 (63) |
Kickoff Return Yds | Push |
| Turnover Margin | 1.00/gm (T-14) |
m-1.00/gm (106) |
Turnover Margin |
|
| Penalty Yds/Game | 52.67 (60) |
67.89 (102) |
Penalty Yds/Game | |
| Sacks | 2.56/gm (T-27) |
2.00/gm (69) |
Sacks Allowed | |
| Sacks Allowed | 1.44/gm (35) |
2.67/gm (T-20) |
Sacks | Push |
| Redzone Offense (%) | 76% (T-89) |
79% (T-43) |
Redzone Defense (%) | |
| Redzone Defense (%) | 63% (T-7) |
86% (T-28) |
Redzone Offense (%) | Push |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 42.47 (49) |
34.75 (37) |
3rd Down Defense % | Push |
| 3rd Down Defense % | 38.13 (53) |
43.59 (43) |
3rd Down Conv. % | Push |
| 1st Downs Per Game | 23.11 (36) |
18.22 (28) |
1st Downs Allowed PG | Push |
| 1st Downs Allowed PG | 17.89 (26) |
24.33 (21) |
1st Downs Per Game | Push |
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: Nebraska may own a 9-6 advantage in the logo battle, but these two teams are strikingly even on the stat sheet. It would seem that every strength Penn State fields, Nebraska can counter; same for the Huskers. Special teams still freak me out, but we've see some improvement over the past few weeks, to where this unit isn't actively costing the team a win. One area that actually excites me about this matchup is the turnover differential between PSU and Nebraska. It's a completely mirror image, but one that heavily favors Penn State. Taylor Martinez loves himself some costly interceptions, while Penn State has done a remarkable job this season avoiding coughing up the ball to the opposing team. Of course, none of this accounts for the immeasurable, like atmosphere, weather, etc. At least in the numbers, Penn State and Nebraska should make for a fun game for both sides.
What say you?
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