Just the Stats: Penn State vs Army

Penn St. Nittany Lions (3-1; 1-0 Big Ten) vs Army Black Knights (1-3)

12 p.m. ET, October 3, 2015--BTN
Beaver Stadium (Capacity: 107,282 / University Park, PA)

Penn State	Value (Nat'l Rank)	Value (Nat'l Rank)	Army	Advantage
Rushing Offense (ypg)	170.5 (71)	156.5 (61)	Rushing Defense (ypg)	Push
Passing Offense (ypg)	175.0 (107)	261.8 (96)	Passing Defense (ypg)	Push
Pass Efficiency	116.82 (101)	137.96 (94)	Pass Efficiency Defense	Push
Total Offense (ypg)	345.5 (110)	418.3 (90)	Total Defense (ypg)	Push
Scoring Offense (ppg)	25.5 (T-90)	28.0 (T-84)	Scoring Defense (ppg)	Push
Rushing Defense (ypg)	90.5 (14)	294.5 (9)	Rushing Offense (ypg)	Push
Passing Defense (ypg)	191.3 (42)	92.5 (125)	Passing Offense (ypg)
Pass Efficiency Defense	114.3 (47)	153.56 (32)	Pass Efficiency	Push
Total Defense (ypg)	281.8 (15)	387.0 (85)	Total Offense (ypg)
Scoring Defense (ppg)	16.3 (21)	31.0 (64)	Scoring Offense (ppg)
Net Punting Yds	36.63 (77)	1.33 (T-120)	Punt Return Yds
Punt Return Yds	8.81 (63)	41.71 (16)	Net Punting Yds
Kickoff Return Yds	27.62 (17)	20.8 (62)	Kickoff Return Defense
Kickoff Return Defense	29.38 (123)	15.86 (121)	Kickoff Return Yds	Push
Turnover Margin	+1.25 (T-16)	+.25(T-55)	Turnover Margin
Penalty Yds/Game	56.0 (55)	53.25 (48)	Penalty Yds/Game	Push
Sacks	4.5/gm (1)	.5/gm (T-6)	Sacks Allowed	Push
Sacks Allowed	3.0/gm (T-107)	2.0/gm (T-51)	Sacks
Redzone Offense (%)	86.7% (T-52)	88.2% (497)	Redzone Defense (%)
Redzone Defense (%)	88.9% (T-99)	91.7% (25)	Redzone Offense (%)
Redzone TD %	46.67%	58.82%	Redzone TD % Defense	Push
Redzone TD % Defense	66.67%	91.67%	Redzone TD %
3rd Down Conv. %	29.1% (122)	44.2% (101)	3rd Down Defense %	Push
3rd Down Defense %	33.8% (49)	50.0% (T-67)	3rd Down Conv. %
4th Down Conv. %	16.7% (T-116)	66.7% (T-104)	4th Down Defense %	Push
4th Down Defense %	33.3% (T-22)	33.3% (T-93)	4th Down Conv. %
1st Downs	60 (110)	83 (T-87)	1st Downs Allowed	Push
1st Downs Allowed	63 (33)	70 (T-91)	1st Downs
Time of Possession	28:48 (82)	31:25 (46)	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: There's a lot of pushes on there, as the strength of Army's offense (the run) matches up with the strength of Penn State's defense--but Army's strength may be in numbers and not necessarily finesse or actual skill.

Some numbers that stand out to me are, of course, the kickoff return ranking that dropped like a rock due to the give up of a 100 yard return TD, and the slow and steady improvement of the offensive numbers--except for third down conversions, which are still abysmal.

What do you guys think?