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Just the Stats: Penn State vs Rutgers

If you want to be discouraged about this week's night game against the Scarlet Knights, look no further than this week's way too early stats post!

This has nothing to do with the post, I just really wanted to use this photo.
This has nothing to do with the post, I just really wanted to use this photo.
Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Penn St. Nittany Lions (1-1; 0-0 Big Ten) vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-1; 0-0 Big Ten)

8 p.m. ET, September 19, 2015--BTN
Beaver Stadium (Capacity: 107,282
/ University Park, PA)

Penn State Value (Nat'l Rank) Value (Nat'l Rank) Rutgers Advantage
Rushing Offense (ypg) 140.0 (93) 39.4 (4) Rushing Defense (ypg) 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
Passing Offense (ypg) 115.5 (T-118) 338.5 (T-116) Passing Defense (ypg) Push
Pass Efficiency 87.89 (T-118) 147.02 (106) Pass Efficiency Defense Push
Total Offense (ypg) 255.5 (122) 377.5 (70) Total Defense (ypg) 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
Scoring Offense (ppg) 18.5 (T-109) 25.0 (T-69) Scoring Defense (ppg) 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
Rushing Defense (ypg) 109.0 (35) 244.5 (26) Rushing Offense (ypg) Push
Passing Defense (ypg) 186.5 (52) 226.0 (72) Passing Offense (ypg) Push
Pass Efficiency Defense 135.59 (97) 201.06 (6) Pass Efficiency 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
Total Defense (ypg) 295.5 (38) 470.5 (40) Total Offense (ypg) Push
Scoring Defense (ppg) 20.5 (54) 48.5 (11) Scoring Offense (ppg) 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
Net Punting Yds 34.5 (96)
17.25 (21) Punt Return Yds 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
Punt Return Yds 11.56 (45) 34.75 (94) Net Punting Yds Psulogo_medium
Kickoff Return Yds 29.14 (13) 15.3 (13) Kickoff Return Defense Push
Kickoff Return Defense 18.0 (T-36) 31.2 (10) Kickoff Return Yds 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
Turnover Margin +.5 (T-40)
-1.5 (T-107) Turnover Margin Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium
Penalty Yds/Game 53.5 (T-56) 80.0 (T-106) Penalty Yds/Game Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium
Sacks 4.0/gm (T-8) .5/gm (T-9) Sacks Allowed Push
Sacks Allowed 5.0/gm (T-126)
2.5/gm (T-37)
Sacks 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
Redzone Offense (%) 83.3% (T-76)
83.3% (T-59)
Redzone Defense (%) Push
Redzone Defense (%) 83.3% (T-59)
100 (T-1) Redzone Offense (%) 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
Redzone TD % 33.33% 66.67%
Redzone TD % Defense 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
Redzone TD % Defense 66.67% 87.5%
Redzone TD % Push
3rd Down Conv. % 28.6% (109)
26.9% (T-32)
3rd Down Defense % 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
3rd Down Defense % 36.4% (T-67)
52.6% (16) 3rd Down Conv. % 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
4th Down Conv. % 25% (T-91) 25% (T-29) 4th Down Defense % 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
4th Down Defense % 50% (T-57)
75% (T-31) 4th Down Conv. % 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
1st Downs 24 (120) 38 (T-63) 1st Downs Allowed 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium
1st Downs Allowed 30 (T-28) 52 (T-21) 1st Downs Push
Time of Possession 26:39 (103)
32:07 (38) Time of Possession 7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium7233_rutgers_scarlet_knights-alternate-2001_medium

Difference

Difference >25 in National Rank = Psulogo_medium

Difference >50 in National Rank = Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium

Difference >75 in National Rank = Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium

Difference >100 in National Rank = Psulogo_mediumPsulogo_mediumPsulogo_mediumPsulogo_medium

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: Much like last year when I did this comparison, it's far too early in the season to do this post. I did it anyway, and now I'm sad.

This is all red, and it's frankly quite depressing. Some good thoughts? Our running game is better off headed into the BTPR game this year than they were last, thanks to one Mr. Saquon Barkley. As is our return game, and our sacks on defense (we won't even talk about that sacks allowed number, though it is halved from the first week! Yay!). Passing and run defense? Not so much, though a lot of the latter has to do with Brandon Bell and Nyeem Wartman-White being out--and Temple being up and running the ball down our throats to end the game.

Rutgers' run defense, too, is overinflated a bit due to the fact that Wazzu never runs the ball--I'm not even sure that the good pirate Leach knows what a run game is.

What do you guys think?