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?
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