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Penn St. Nittany Lions (6-2; 3-2 Big Ten East) vs Michigan Wolverines (7-1; 5-0 Big Ten East)
3:45 p.m. ET, November 3, 2018--ESPN
Michigan Stadium (Capacity: 109,901 / Ann Arbor, MI)
| Penn State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Michigan | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 225.4 (24) | 97.1 (8) | Rushing Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 234.1 (66) | 122.9 (1) | Passing Defense (ypg) |
|
| Pass Efficiency | 136.44 (60) | 90.87(1) | Pass Efficiency Defense |
|
| Total Offense (ypg) | 459.5 (26) | 220.0 (1) | Total Defense (ypg) | |
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 41.0 (11) | 14.4 (6) | Scoring Defense (ppg) | Push |
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 161.4 (71) | 212.8 (31) | Rushing Offense (ypg) | |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 225.4 (67) | 207.6 (89) | Passing Offense (ypg) | Push |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 107.09 (16) | 154.86 (18) | Pass Efficiency | Push |
| Total Defense (ypg) | 386.8 (66) | 420.4 (51) | Total Offense (ypg) | Push |
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 22.3 (T - 37) | 36.0 (27) | Scoring Offense (ppg) | Push |
| Punt Return Defense (ypr) | 4.50 (T - 22) | 9.26 (63) | Punt Return Yds |  |
| Punt Return Yds | 9.41 (61) | 8.92 (79) | Punt Return Defense (ypr) | Push |
| Net Punting Yds | 37.59 (72) | 40.39 (25) | Net Punting Yds | |
| Kickoff Return Yds | 28.25 (7) | 20.00 (T - 50) | Kickoff Return Defense | |
| Kickoff Return Defense | 23.38 (100) | 20.50 (69) | Kickoff Return Yds | |
| Turnover Margin | +0.25 (T - 48) | +0.25 (T - 48) | Turnover Margin | Push |
| Passes Had Intercepted | 4 (T - 20) | 7 (T - 45) | Passes Intercepted | |
| Passes Intercepted | 9 (T - 23) | 4 (T - 20) | Passes Had Intercepted | Push |
| Penalty Yds/Game | 50.50 (43) | 73.38 (110) | Penalty Yds/Game |
|
| Sacks | 3.50 (T - 4) | 1.63 (T - 41) | Sacks Allowed | |
| Sacks Allowed | 2.00 (T - 55) | 3.00 (T - 19) | Sacks | |
| Tackles for Loss (tpg) | 8.10 (T - 9) | 5.38 (T - 41) | Tackles for Loss Allowed (tpg) | |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed (tpg) | 5.13 (31) | 7.60 (T - 23 | Tackles for Loss (tpg) | Push |
| Redzone Offense (%) | 94.4% (9) | 93.3% (T - 120) | Redzone Defense (%) |
|
| Redzone Defense (%) | 72.7% (T - 14) | 84.8% (65) | Redzone Offense (%) |
|
| Redzone TD % | 80.56% | 73.33% | Redzone TD % Defense |
|
| Redzone TD % Defense | 63.64% | 60.61% | Redzone TD % | Push |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 35.8% (98) | 28.7% (9) | 3rd Down Defense % |
|
| 3rd Down Defense % | 33.1% (31) | 47.8% (12) | 3rd Down Conv. % | Push |
| 4th Down Conv. % | 41.7% (T - 105) | 61.5% (T - 94) | 4th Down Defense % | Push |
| 4th Down Defense % | 50.0% (T - 50) | 50.0% (T - 71) | 4th Down Conv. % | Push |
| 1st Downs | 176 (T - 38) | 120 (10) | 1st Downs Allowed | |
| 1st Downs Allowed | 182 (T - 100) | 165 (T - 58) | 1st Downs | |
| Time of Possession | 27 (112) | 34 (7) | Time of Possession |
|
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; I removed strength of schedule this week, due to data not being updated as of the writing of this piece.
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 honestly, that’s a lot more chipmunks than I expected to see up there.
Michigan’s defense is quite legit, as expected; the Lions have faced two of the top rush defenses in the country so far this year, and face a third this week. But the strength of Penn State may lie elsewhere in this game, with the Penn State defense taking the lead - and capitalizing on red zone opportunities being the key for PSU in this game.
What say you all?