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Penn St. Nittany Lions (5-3; 2-2 Big Ten) vs Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-3; 3-2 Big Ten)
12:00 p.m. ET, November 9, 2013--ESPN2
TCF Bank Stadium (Capacity: 50,720 / Minneapolis, MN)
| Penn State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Minnesota | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 164.1 (67) | 142.2 (39) |
Rushing Defense (ypg) |  |
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 272.4 (34) | 241.7 (81) | Passing Defense (ypg) |  |
| Pass Efficiency | 129.94 (67) | 1131.44 (77) | Pass Efficiency Defense | Push |
| Total Offense (ypg) | 436.5 (49) | 383.9 (53) |
Total Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 29.8 (61) | 24.9 (T-51) | Scoring Defense (ppg) | Push |
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 150.5 (53) | 221.1 (20) | Rushing Offense (ypg) | |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 238.5 (75) | 145.3 (116) | Passing Offense (ypg) | |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 125.87 (63) |
135.71 (57) |
Pass Efficiency | Push |
| Total Defense (ypg) | 389.0 (57) | 366.4 (95) | Total Offense (ypg) | |
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 27.8 (74) |
31.4 (52) | Scoring Offense (ppg) | Push |
| Net Punting Yds | 35.86 (89) |
11.0 (T-34) | Punt Return Yds |
|
| Punt Return Yds | 9.64 (46) | 37.34 (57) | Net Punting Yds | Push |
| Kickoff Return Yds | 20.33 (82) |
21.03 (59) | Kickoff Return Defense | Push |
| Kickoff Return Defense | 23.9 (104) | 23.52 (30) | Kickoff Return Yds |
|
| Turnover Margin | -.8 (T-103) |
+.6 (T-34) | Turnover Margin |
|
| Penalty Yds/Game | 38.5 (21) | 35.44 (11) | Penalty Yds/Game | Push |
| Sacks | 2.0/gm (T-55) |
1.67/gm (T-49) | Sacks Allowed | Push |
| Sacks Allowed | 2.5/gm (T-90) |
1.56/gm (T-89) |
Sacks | Push |
| Redzone Offense (%) | 83.9% (59) |
78.8% (38) |
Redzone Defense (%) | Push |
| Redzone Defense (%) | 82.1% (58) |
96.7% (3) |
Redzone Offense (%) |
|
| Redzone TD % | 61.3% | 54.55% |
Redzone TD % Defense | Push |
| Redzone TD % Defense | 53.6% |
73.3% |
Redzone TD % | |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 33.1% (104) |
40.9% (76) |
3rd Down Defense % |
|
| 3rd Down Defense % | 35.3% (T-34) |
42.6% (53) | 3rd Down Conv. % | Push |
| 4th Down Conv. % | 57.1% (42) | 71.4% (T-109) |
4th Down Defense % |
|
| 4th Down Defense % | 0% (1) |
72.7% (5) |
4th Down Conv. % | Push |
| 1st Downs | 186 (T-51) | 167 (T-56) |
1st Downs Allowed | Push |
| 1st Downs Allowed | 154 (T-24) |
172 (71) | 1st Downs | |
| Time of Posession | 29:57 (56) |
33:09 (T-14) | 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: Based on the fact that we're playing a team on a three-game win streak with seven overall wins, this shouldn't be surprising. What is surprising is that this team is Minnesota.
There's a lot of pushes there, and where the Gophers seem to have the edge is where we've struggled all year: special teams, third downs on offense, and turnovers. If you've watched Minnesota at all, as well, you should know that they are very much a run-oriented team, so if we can control the trenches on both sides of the ball, both stopping their run and getting our own run-game established, we have a good shot at this game.
What say you all?
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