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Penn St. Nittany Lions (6-2; 4-1 Big Ten East) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (5-3; 3-2 Big Ten West)
7:30 p.m. ET, November 5, 2016--BTN
Beaver Stadium (Capacity: 107,282 / University Park, PA)
| Penn State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Iowa | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 161.5 (82) | 153.8 (54) | Rushing Defense (ypg) |  |
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 230.5 (67) | 223.6 (60) | Passing Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Pass Efficiency | 138.27 (51) | 124.48 (47) | Pass Efficiency Defense | Push |
| Total Offense (ypg) | 392.0 (81) | 377.4 (44) | Total Defense (ypg) | |
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 33.6 (39) | 18.9 (16) | Scoring Defense (ppg) | Push |
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 183.4 (81) | 167.9 (72) | Rushing Offense (ypg) | Push |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 197.0 (25) | 180.3 (107) | Passing Offense (ypg) |
|
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 118.01 (35) | 130.35 (68) | Pass Efficiency | |
| Total Defense (ypg) | 380.4 (47) | 348.1 (113) | Total Offense (ypg) |
|
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 27.0 (T-62) | 28.1 (T-74) | Scoring Offense (ppg) | Push |
| Punt Return Defense (ypr) | 8.07 (T-73) |
10.57 (31) | Punt Return Yds | |
| Punt Return Yds | 5.18 (93) | 14.25 (118) | Punt Return Defense (ypr) | |
| Net Punting Yds | 35.64 (99) | 37.37 (70) | Net Punting Yds | |
| Kickoff Return Yds | 19.29 (93) | 21.33 (75) | Kickoff Return Defense | Push |
| Kickoff Return Defense | 18.4 (30) | 27.84 (6) | Kickoff Return Yds | Push |
| Turnover Margin | +.13 (55) |
+.88 (T-12) | Turnover Margin | |
| Penalty Yds/Game | 47.0 (34) | 46.13 (29) | Penalty Yds/Game | Push |
| Sacks | 2.88/gm (T-24) | 2.5/gm (T-91) | Sacks Allowed |
|
| Sacks Allowed | 2.0/gm (T-55) |
2.38/gm (T-52) |
Sacks | Push |
| Redzone Offense (%) | 86.5% (T-53) | 69.6% (5) |
Redzone Defense (%) | |
| Redzone Defense (%) | 90.0% (97) |
92.6% (11) | Redzone Offense (%) |
|
| Redzone TD % | 54.05% | 52.17% |
Redzone TD % Defense | |
| Redzone TD % Defense | 63.33% | 70.37% |
Redzone TD % | |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 25.3% (128) |
34.3% (29) |
3rd Down Defense % |
|
| 3rd Down Defense % | 38.9% (66) |
37.1% (91) | 3rd Down Conv. % | |
| 4th Down Conv. % | 66.7% (T-14) | 53.3% (T-74) | 4th Down Defense % |
|
| 4th Down Defense % | 50.0% (T-48) |
83.3% (3) | 4th Down Conv. % | |
| 1st Downs | 156 (100) | 160 (47) | 1st Downs Allowed |
|
| 1st Downs Allowed | 154 (41) | 143 (T-113) | 1st Downs |
|
| Time of Possession | 26:19 (115) |
25:18 (123) | Time of Possession | Push |
| Strength of Schedule | 18 | 40 | Strength of Schedule | Push |
Difference
Difference >25 in National Rank =
Difference >50 in National Rank =
Difference >75 in National Rank =
Difference >100 in National Rank =
Note: All of the above rankings are taken directly from the NCAA except for strength of schedule, which is not ranked by the NCAA and instead taken from S&P (Football Outsiders).
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:
Is it me, or does this Iowa team look - on paper, at least - like PSU 2015 but with better special teams? I mean, look at those offensive numbers and the sack rate...and the defensive numbers (but not as good as Penn State's last year).
Iowa is very good in the red zone, so if the Lions can keep them out of the red zone, the day should be long for the Hawkeyes. Neither team appears to want the ball very long, but Penn State is trending up and can score very quickly without a lot of first downs - as evidenced by the 5 points per game and 50 yards per game on offense, but a very similar time of possession.
The home field advantage is big in this one, as is PSU's defense trending up. Coach Chaos' boys have got to be foaming at the lips at this opportunity.