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Penn St. Nittany Lions (9-2; 7-1 Big Ten East) vs Michigan State Spartans (3-8; 1-7 Big Ten East)
3:30 p.m. ET, November 26, 2016--ESPN
Beaver Stadium (Capacity: 107,282 / University Park, PA)
| Penn State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Michigan State | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 187.9 (52) | 166.1 (61) | Rushing Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 238.7 (57) | 189.8 (18) | Passing Defense (ypg) |  |
| Pass Efficiency | 141.59 (39) | 126.26 (54) | Pass Efficiency Defense | Push |
| Total Offense (ypg) | 426.6 (56) | 355.9 (29) | Total Defense (ypg) | |
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 35.8 (30) | 26.2 (54) | Scoring Defense (ppg) | Push |
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 149.6 (44) | 178.5 (64) | Rushing Offense (ypg) | Push |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 197.5 (31) | 221.3 (78) | Passing Offense (ypg) |  |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 121.18 (43) | 133.07 (60) | Pass Efficiency | Push |
| Total Defense (ypg) | 347.1 (22) | 399.7 (74) | Total Offense (ypg) |
|
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 23.7 (40) | 25.2 (T-90) | Scoring Offense (ppg) |
|
| Punt Return Defense (ypr) | 7.47 (61) | 6.95 (78) | Punt Return Yds | Push |
| Punt Return Yds | 6.11 (92) | 5.44 (34) | Punt Return Defense (ypr) |
|
| Net Punting Yds | 36.23 (88) | 37.8 (60) | Net Punting Yds | |
| Kickoff Return Yds | 19.14 (93) | 21.96 (91) | Kickoff Return Defense | Push |
| Kickoff Return Defense | 18.74 (35) | 21.04 (63) | Kickoff Return Yds | |
| Turnover Margin | +.36 (T-34) | -.36 (T-98) | Turnover Margin |
|
| Penalty Yds/Game | 47.0 (37) | 63.73 (105) | Penalty Yds/Game |
|
| Sacks | 2.91/gm (T-17) | 2.09/gm (T-68) | Sacks Allowed |
|
| Sacks Allowed | 1.91/gm (T-55) |
.91/gm (T-124) |
Sacks |
|
| Redzone Offense (%) | 86.0% (49) |
91.9% (116) |
Redzone Defense (%) |
|
| Redzone Defense (%) | 86.1% (T-75) |
78.9% (T-98) | Redzone Offense (%) | Push |
| Redzone TD % | 52.63% | 70.27% |
Redzone TD % Defense | |
| Redzone TD % Defense | 63.89% | 63.16% |
Redzone TD % | Push |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 31.7% (120) |
42.4% (T-91) |
3rd Down Defense % | |
| 3rd Down Defense % | 36.0% (32) |
37.9% (85) | 3rd Down Conv. % |
|
| 4th Down Conv. % | 58.8% (T-35) | 64.7% (T-107) | 4th Down Defense % |
|
| 4th Down Defense % | 44.4% (43) |
52.6% (59) | 4th Down Conv. % | Push |
| 1st Downs | 223 (81) | 205 (32) | 1st Downs Allowed | |
| 1st Downs Allowed | 193 (T-19) | 220 (T-87) | 1st Downs |
|
| Time of Possession | 28:27 (91) |
31:27 (42) | Time of Possession | |
| Strength of Schedule | 18 |
15 |
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:
These stats show that Michigan State isn't as bad as last week's Rutgers team - but they're not on Penn State's level this year, especially since the majority of Pushes go in PSU's favor (and a lot of those logos are ever so close to being leveled up).
I'm surprised that the Nittany Lions hold the edge in most conversions, and since it's at home I expect them to get the better of the Spartans on third downs as well - especially if they continue to dominate the line, and get Connor McGovern back as expected.
What say you all?