:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47739169/usa-today-8239009.0.jpg)
Penn St. Nittany Lions (7-4; 4-3 Big Ten East) vs Michigan State Spartans (10-1; 6-1 Big Ten East)
3:30 p.m. ET, November 28, 2015--ESPN
Spartan Stadium (Capacity: 75,005 / East Lansing, MI)
| Penn State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Michigan State | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 136.5 (105) | 117.8 (15) | Rushing Defense (ypg) |
|
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 201.0 (89) | 225.1 (68) | Passing Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Pass Efficiency | 126.52 (77) | 127.12 (69) | Pass Efficiency Defense | Push |
| Total Offense (ypg) | 337.5 (11) | 342.9 (26) | Total Defense (ypg) |
|
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 24.4 (T-97) | 21.5 (32) | Scoring Defense (ppg) |
|
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 146.3 (42) | 157.0 (89) | Rushing Offense (ypg) |  |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 167.8 (7) | 239.1 (51) | Passing Offense (ypg) | |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 107.67 (13) | 139.83 (42) | Pass Efficiency | |
| Total Defense (ypg) | 34.1 (14) | 396.1 (70) | Total Offense (ypg) |
|
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 18.6 (18) | 31.5 (54) | Scoring Offense (ppg) | |
| Net Punting Yds | 35.85 (93) |
2.0 (123) | Punt Return Yds | |
| Punt Return Yds | 7.33 (77) | 34.57 (116) | Net Punting Yds | |
| Kickoff Return Yds | 22.5 (39) | 21.98 (79) | Kickoff Return Defense | |
| Kickoff Return Defense | 25.53 (116) | 22.05 (47) | Kickoff Return Yds |
|
| Turnover Margin | +.73 (T-15) | +1.0 (T-5) | Turnover Margin | Push |
| Penalty Yds/Game | 40.45 (11) | 42.55 (18) | Penalty Yds/Game | Push |
| Sacks | 4.0/gm (T-1) | 1.36/gm (T-28) | Sacks Allowed | |
| Sacks Allowed | 3.36/gm (T-121) |
2.73/gm (T-22) |
Sacks |
|
| Redzone Offense (%) | 92.3% (10) |
84.4% (T69) |
Redzone Defense (%) |
|
| Redzone Defense (%) | 90.0% (113) |
983.7% (66) | Redzone Offense (%) | |
| Redzone TD % | 53.85% | 65.63% |
Redzone TD % Defense | Push |
| Redzone TD % Defense | 70.0% | 69.77% |
Redzone TD % | |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 27.6% (126) |
36.1% (46) |
3rd Down Defense % |
|
| 3rd Down Defense % | 34.9% (T-39) |
49.0% (11) | 3rd Down Conv. % | |
| 4th Down Conv. % | 33.3 (T-111) | 44.0% (43) | 4th Down Defense % |
|
| 4th Down Defense % | 16.7% (1) |
40.0% (101) | 4th Down Conv. % |
|
| 1st Downs | 178 (T-120) | 195 (27) | 1st Downs Allowed |
|
| 1st Downs Allowed | 193 (T-18) | 240 (T-46) | 1st Downs | |
| Time of Possession | 29:15 (75) |
33:19 (9) | 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: Honestly? Nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be.
Not that I'm anywhere close to being confident, especially since it's in East Lansing, but this Spartan team has been living on the edge all season (and pulling out close wins against less than stellar competition--as well as great teams) and the numbers bear that out.
What do you guys think?