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Penn St. Nittany Lions (7-2; 4-2 Big Ten East) vs Michigan Wolverines (8-2; 5-2 Big Ten East)
12 p.m. ET, November 21, 2015--ABC
Beaver Stadium (Capacity: 107,282 / University Park, PA)
| Penn State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Michigan | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 143.2 (97) | 103.2 (8) | Rushing Defense (ypg) |
|
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 207.4 (89) | 165.5 (6) | Passing Defense (ypg) |
|
| Pass Efficiency | 131.0 (65) | 93.37 (2) | Pass Efficiency Defense |
|
| Total Offense (ypg) | 350.6 (103) | 268.7 (2) | Total Defense (ypg) |
|
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 25.2 (93) | 14.8 (6) | Scoring Defense (ppg) |
|
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 152.2 (47) | 168.8 (67) | Rushing Offense (ypg) | Push |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 159.0 (2) | 224.9 (67) | Passing Offense (ypg) |
|
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 104.09 (11) | 137.26 (45) | Pass Efficiency | |
| Total Defense (ypg) | 311.2 (13) | 393.7 (71) | Total Offense (ypg) |
|
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 17.7 (13) | 32.6 (49) | Scoring Offense (ppg) | |
| Net Punting Yds | 36.14 (89) |
12.33 (24) | Punt Return Yds |
|
| Punt Return Yds | 7.78 (72) | 36.86 (78) | Net Punting Yds | Push |
| Kickoff Return Yds | 23.41 (28) | 20.97 (66) | Kickoff Return Defense | |
| Kickoff Return Defense | 25.76 (118) | 32.63 (2) | Kickoff Return Yds |
|
| Turnover Margin | +.7 (T-18) | -.4 (T-95) | Turnover Margin |
|
| Penalty Yds/Game | 41.5 (17) | 55.9 (70) | Penalty Yds/Game |
|
| Sacks | 4.2/gm (1) | 1.4/gm (T-28) | Sacks Allowed | |
| Sacks Allowed | 3.3/gm (T-120) |
2.5/gm (T-35) |
Sacks |
|
| Redzone Offense (%) | 91.7% (T-12) |
81.8% (T-49) |
Redzone Defense (%) | |
| Redzone Defense (%) | 92.3% (121) |
95.2% (3) | Redzone Offense (%) |
|
| Redzone TD % | 58.33% | 36.36% |
Redzone TD % Defense | Push |
| Redzone TD % Defense | 69.23% | 69.05% |
Redzone TD % | |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 28.3% (126) |
23.4% (3) |
3rd Down Defense % |
|
| 3rd Down Defense % | 33.6% (T-30) |
43.0% (40) | 3rd Down Conv. % | Push |
| 4th Down Conv. % | 30.0% (T-120) | 38.9% (T-23) | 4th Down Defense % |
|
| 4th Down Defense % | 16.7% (1) |
38.5% (102) | 4th Down Conv. % |
|
| 1st Downs | 164 (122) | 164 (15) | 1st Downs Allowed |
|
| 1st Downs Allowed | 174 (23) | 198 (75) | 1st Downs |
|
| Time of Possession | 29:31 (76) |
33:18 (10) | Time of Possession |
|
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: What can I say that you guys wouldn't already know, and that we haven't already said before?
The problem areas of this PSU team continue to be, on paper, offensive third downs, red zone defense, and special teams. The strengths are red zone offense and the pass rush--and turn overs, which favors the Nittany Lions a great deal this week, because though the Michigan defense is one of the best in the nation, they aren't coming into Happy Valley doing a very good job creating turnovers on the year.
Let's hope that trend continues for the white out if the Lions are to have a shot.
What do you guys think?