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Penn St. Nittany Lions (7-1; 4-1 Big Ten East) vs Michigan State Spartans (6-2; 4-1 Big Ten East)
12:00 p.m. ET, November 4, 2017--Fox
Spartan Stadium (Capacity: 75,005 / East Lansing, MI)
| Penn State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Michigan State | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 163.1 (65) | 89.8 (4) | Rushing Defense (ypg) |
|
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 277.6 (29) | 193.6 (31) | Passing Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Pass Efficiency | 152.77 (17) | 108.13 (17) | Pass Efficiency Defense | Push |
| Total Offense (ypg) | 440.8 (42) | 283.4 (8) | Total Defense (ypg) | |
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 39.8 (14) | 19.6 (24) | Scoring Defense (ppg) | Push |
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 126.0 (26) | 167.1 (64) | Rushing Offense (ypg) |  |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 187.6 (25) | 226.5 (67) | Passing Offense (ypg) | |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 107.96 (15) | 132.23 (63) | Pass Efficiency | |
| Total Defense (ypg) | 313.6 (19) | 393.6 (71) | Total Offense (ypg) |
|
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 13.3 (7) | 23.8 (97) | Scoring Offense (ppg) |
|
| Punt Return Defense (ypr) | 3.83 (25) | 3.11 (119) | Punt Return Yds |
|
| Punt Return Yds | 15.11 (10) | 3.25 (T - 19) | Punt Return Defense (ypr) | Push |
| Net Punting Yds | 40.54 (26) | 38.20 (T - 62) | Net Punting Yds | |
| Kickoff Return Yds | 28.12 (3) | 24.50 (112) | Kickoff Return Defense |
|
| Kickoff Return Defense | 20.30 (60) | 23.29 (33) | Kickoff Return Yds | |
| Turnover Margin | +1.75 (T - 2) | -.25 (T - 80) | Turnover Margin |
|
| Passes Had Intercepted | 5 (T - 38) | 6 (T - 71) | Passes Intercepted | |
| Passes Intercepted | 9 (T - 30) | 4 (T - 18) | Passes Had Intercepted | Push |
| Penalty Yds/Game | 39.39 (14) | 57.13 (74) | Penalty Yds/Game |
|
| Sacks | 3.25 (T - 8) | 1.25 (T - 18) | Sacks Allowed | Push |
| Sacks Allowed | 2.50 (T - 91) | 2.38 (T - 38) | Sacks |
|
| Tackles for Loss (tpg) | 8.1 (8) | 5.75 (T - 60) | Tackles for Loss Allowed (tpg) |
|
| Tackles for Loss Allowed (tpg) | 8.75 (T - 127) | 5.6 (T - 73) | Tackles for Loss (tpg) |
|
| Redzone Offense (%) | 85.7% (T - 52) | 90.0% (T - 107) | Redzone Defense (%) |
|
| Redzone Defense (%) | 77.8% (38) | 77.4% (T - 100) | Redzone Offense (%) |
|
| Redzone TD % | 71.43% | 60.00% | Redzone TD % Defense | |
| Redzone TD % Defense | 55.56% | 61.29% | Redzone TD % | |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 40.4% (60) | 30.5% (T - 19) | 3rd Down Defense % | |
| 3rd Down Defense % | 35.1% (44) | 41.5% (51) | 3rd Down Conv. % | Push |
| 4th Down Conv. % | 50.0% (T - 65) | 58.3% (T - 96) | 4th Down Defense % | |
| 4th Down Defense % | 53.3% (81) | 58.3% (44) | 4th Down Conv. % | |
| 1st Downs | 171 (T - 52) | 125 (14) | 1st Downs Allowed | |
| 1st Downs Allowed | 145 (T - 38) | 170 (55) | 1st Downs | Push |
| Time of Possession | 29:41 (72) | 33:52 (7) | Time of Possession |
|
| Strength of Schedule | 56 | 18 | Strength of Schedule | |
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+.
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:
Quite a bit fewer pushes than last week - not surprising. Also not surprising is the drop in the rankings of the Penn State defense after this week’s less than stellar showing against Ohio State; they’re still ranked in the top twenty five in most categories, though.
I shouldn’t be so surprised that Penn State’s special teams are just that much better than a lot of the teams they play - but I am. And this week, that’s obvious again. That plus turnovers should bode well for the team in white this weekend.
What say you all?