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Penn St. Nittany Lions (6-6; 2-6 Big Ten) vs Boston College (7-5; 4-4 ACC)
4:30 ET, December 27, 2014--ESPN
Yankee Stadium (Capacity: 50,291 / Bronx, NY)
| Penn State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Boston College | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 103.3 (117) | 95.5 (4) | Rushing Defense (ypg) |
|
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 221.9 (72) | 218.0 (48) | Passing Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Pass Efficiency | 104.11 (118) | 129.9 (74) | Pass Efficiency Defense | |
| Total Offense (ypg) | 325.5 (114) | 313.5 (12) | Total Defense (ypg) |
|
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 19.8 (112) | 20.5 (T-18) | Scoring Defense (ppg) |
|
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 84.8 (1) | 251.8 (14) | Rushing Offense (ypg) | Push |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 185.0 (10) | 132.0 (121) | Passing Offense (ypg) |
|
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 99.71 (2) | 122..58 (75) | Pass Efficiency |
|
| Total Defense (ypg) | 269.8 (2) | 383.8 (76) | Total Offense (ypg) |
|
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 17.7 (8) | 25.9 (81) | Scoring Offense (ppg) |
|
| Net Punting Yds | 34.94 (103) |
7.21 (72) | Punt Return Yds | |
| Punt Return Yds | 7.11 (75) | 37.92 (50) | Net Punting Yds | |
| Kickoff Return Yds | 20.84 (62) | 18.14 (20) | Kickoff Return Defense | |
| Kickoff Return Defense | 24.72 (116) | 24.55 (9) | Kickoff Return Yds |
|
| Turnover Margin | -.25 (83) |
-.08 (T-67) | Turnover Margin | Push |
| Penalty Yds/Game | 45.0 (38) | 33.42 (5) | Penalty Yds/Game | |
| Sacks | 2.5/gm (T-37) | 1.67/gm (T-38) | Sacks Allowed | Push |
| Sacks Allowed | 3.5/gm (T-118) |
2.58/gm (T-33) |
Sacks |
|
| Redzone Offense (%) | 81.1% (77) |
82.1% (52) |
Redzone Defense (%) | |
| Redzone Defense (%) | 81.1% (48) |
82.9% (66) | Redzone Offense (%) | Push |
| Redzone TD % | 37.84% | 61.54% |
Redzone TD % Defense | |
| Redzone TD % Defense | 45.95% | 62.86% |
Redzone TD % | |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 38.4% (T-84) |
37.5% (42) |
3rd Down Defense % | |
| 3rd Down Defense % | 30.1% (6) |
36.6% (95) | 3rd Down Conv. % |
|
| 4th Down Conv. % | 36.8% (106) | 50.0% (T-55) | 4th Down Defense % |
|
| 4th Down Defense % | 18.8% (1) |
58.8% (T-33) | 4th Down Conv. % | |
| 1st Downs | 224 (T-96) | 200 (13) | 1st Downs Allowed |
|
| 1st Downs Allowed | 174 (2) | 232 (90) | 1st Downs |
|
| Time of Possession | 31:33 (26) |
33:09 (11) | Time of Possession | Push |
Difference
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: BC's offense is better than Penn State's--but let's face it, whose isn't? BC's defense is not as good as Penn State's--but let's face it, whose isn't? With both of those factors, this should be a pretty solid match up.
On paper, it shouldn't be too difficult to force the Eagles into making their offense one-dimensional. The strength of the Boston College O is their run game, and if the Nittany Lions can shut down the ground game--and with the return of Brandon Bell to the lineup, that seems much easier than it might have against Illinois or MSU--this could be very winnable, ala Temple. But it's Penn State, so it won't be easy.
What do you guys think?