Just the Stats: No. 7 Penn State vs Illinois

Penn State	Value (Nat'l Rank)	Value (Nat'l Rank)	Illinois	Advantage
Rushing Offense (ypg)	128.3 (95)	163.1 (87)	Rushing Defense (ypg)	Push
Passing Offense (ypg)	268.3 (35)	264.7 (107)	Passing Defense (ypg)
Pass Efficiency	140.31 (59)	143.65 (97)	Pass Efficiency Defense
Total Offense (ypg)	396.7 (65)	427.9 (101)	Total Defense (ypg)
Scoring Offense (ppg)	28.3 (T - 68)	24.57 (65)	Scoring Defense (ppg)	Push
Rushing Defense (ypg)	111.3 (26)	164.7 (67)	Rushing Offense (ypg)
Passing Defense (ypg)	201.3 (31)	153.7 (122)	Passing Offense (ypg)
Pass Efficiency Defense	102.12 (4)	101.17 (127)	Pass Efficiency
Total Defense (ypg)	312.7 (23)	318.4 (117)	Total Offense (ypg)
Scoring Defense (ppg)	13.83 (4)	17.7 (120)	Scoring Offense (ppg)
Punt Return Defense (ypr)	3.67 (26)	5.0 (T - 96)	Punt Return Yds
Punt Return Yds	6.64 (76)	2.92 (T - 17)	Punt Return Defense (ypr)
Net Punting Yds	45.97 (3)	44.1 (8)	Net Punting Yds	Push
Kickoff Return Yds	16.86 (112)	15.0 (T - 7)	Kickoff Return Defense
Kickoff Return Defense	0.0 (1)	16.33 (116)	Kickoff Return Yds
Turnover Margin	+.50 (39)	+1.14 (9)	Turnover Margin
Passes Had Intercepted	7 (T - 93)	5 (T - 64)	Passes Intercepted
Passes Intercepted	8 (T - 13)	2 (T - 9)	Passes Had Intercepted	Push
Penalty Yds/Game	50.33 (56)	47.14 (T - 41)	Penalty Yds/Game	Push
Sacks	1.83 (T - 92)	2.14 (T - 66)	Sacks Allowed
Sacks Allowed	1.5 (T - 28)	2.14 (T - 70)	Sacks
Tackles for Loss (tpg)	6.3 (T - 36)	6.14 (T - 93)	Tackles for Loss Allowed (tpg)
Tackles for Loss Allowed (tpg)	6.5 (T - 100)	4.6 (101)	Tackles for Loss (tpg)	Push
Redzone Offense (%)	90.0% (T - 28)	82.1% (67)	Redzone Defense (%)
Redzone Defense (%)	57.9% (2)	62.5% (128)	Redzone Offense (%)
Redzone TD %	60.0%	50.0%	Redzone TD % Defense
Redzone TD % Defense	31.58%	37.5%	Redzone TD %
3rd Down Conv. %	35.0% (T - 97)	43.7% (104)	3rd Down Defense %	Push
3rd Down Defense %	34.3% (34)	38.9% (T - 76)	3rd Down Conv. %
4th Down Conv. %	36.4% (T - 111)	80.0% (126)	4th Down Defense %	Push
4th Down Defense %	60.0% (T - 81)	40.0% (T - 103)	4th Down Conv. %	Push
1st Downs	123 (T - 91)	164 (T - 123)	1st Downs Allowed
1st Downs Allowed	118 (42)	129 (T - 79)	1st Downs
Time of Possession	27 (108)	29 (64)	Time of Possession
Strength of Schedule	9	41	Strength of Schedule

Note:

All of the above rankings are taken directly from the NCAA except for strength of schedule, which is taken from Team Rankings.com.

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:

I have one overarching thought which is that if there is one game on our schedule where we’re ok having a backup QB start, it’s this one. Woof, Illinois - starting off the season at a high note in beating Nebraska, and at the midpoint your coach is publicly writing off three years’ worth of players as not worthy of playing for your team. The numbers bare that out, especially this one:

I’ve been doing this column for a number of years now, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen five chipmunks! The red zone will be our friend in this game - our offense has been in the redzone 20 times, coming out with 12 TDs and 6 field goals; Illinois’ defense has allowed 28 redzone trips, resulting in 14 TDs and 9 field goals. On the flip (even more amazing, as shown above) side, Illinois’ offense has been in the redzone just 16 times in 7 games (2.3 times per game) and come out with a total of 6 TDs and 4 field goals - less than 1 td per game. Going up against a defense that’s allowed 19 redzone trips but only 6 touchdowns and 5 field goals, that’s a recipe for some fun if you’re a Penn Stater.

This, and the amazing defense that Brent Pry has put together this year, is why it’s going to be ok this week, whether Ta’quan Roberson or Christian Veilleux starts this week.

Once again...