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Penn St. Nittany Lions (7-0; 4-0 Big Ten East) vs Michigan State Spartans (4-3; 2-2 Big Ten East)
3:30 p.m. ET, October 26, 2019--ABC
Spartan Stadium (Capacity: 75,005 / East Lansing, MI)
| Penn State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Michigan State | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 178.3 (52) | 117.7 (27) | Rushing Defense (ypg) |  |
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 261.0 (44) | 196.6 (35) | Passing Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Pass Efficiency | 162.22 (16) | 126.16 (51) | Pass Efficiency Defense |
 |
| Total Offense (ypg) | 439.3 (40) | 314.3 (22) | Total Defense (ypg) | Push |
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 40.0 (T - 10) | 21.0 (33) | Scoring Defense (ppg) | Push |
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 66.3 (4) | 117.1 (110) | Rushing Offense (ypg) |
|
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 215.9 (59) | 240.3 (64) | Passing Offense (ypg) | Push |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 109.85 (15) | 125.55 (87) | Pass Efficiency |
|
| Total Defense (ypg) | 282.1 (12) | 357.4 (100) | Total Offense (ypg) |
|
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 10.0 (3) | 23.9 (T - 96) | Scoring Offense (ppg) |
|
| Punt Return Defense (ypr) | 2.67 (T - 15) | 8.07 (60) | Punt Return Yds |
|
| Punt Return Yds | 6.39 (79) | 5.08 (41) | Punt Return Defense (ypr) | |
| Net Punting Yds | 39.19 (48) | 41.33 (27) | Net Punting Yds | Push |
| Kickoff Return Yds | 18.09 (107) | 21.94 (86) | Kickoff Return Defense | Push |
| Kickoff Return Defense | 18.71 (35) | 19.73 (79) | Kickoff Return Yds | |
| Turnover Margin | +0.57 (T - 27) | +.53 (T - 32) | Turnover Margin | Push |
| Passes Had Intercepted | 2 (T - 8) | 7 (T - 33) | Passes Intercepted | |
| Passes Intercepted | 6 (T - 50) | 4 (T - 32) | Passes Had Intercepted | Push |
| Penalty Yds/Game | 51.86 (44) | 58.71 (81) | Penalty Yds/Game | |
| Sacks | 4.00 (T - 4) | 1.42 (T - 30) | Sacks Allowed | |
| Sacks Allowed | 1.71 (T - 47) | 2.86 (T - 27) | Sacks | Push |
| Tackles for Loss (tpg) | 8.90 (4) | 5.00 (T - 33) | Tackles for Loss Allowed (tpg) | |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed (tpg) | 6.00 (T - 69) | 7.60 (T - 19) | Tackles for Loss (tpg) |
|
| Redzone Offense (%) | 96.3% (9) | 76.2% (29) | Redzone Defense (%) | Push |
| Redzone Defense (%) | 80.0% (T - 44) | 84.6% (T - 56) | Redzone Offense (%) | Push |
| Redzone TD % | 77.78% | 52.38% | Redzone TD % Defense | Push |
| Redzone TD % Defense | 46.67% | 57.69% | Redzone TD % | |
| 3rd Down Conv. % | 42.2% (T - 47) | 38.6% (73) | 3rd Down Defense % |
|
| 3rd Down Defense % | 30.5% (16) | 38.6% (73) | 3rd Down Conv. % |
|
| 4th Down Conv. % | 83.3% (6) | 63.6% (100) | 4th Down Defense % |
|
| 4th Down Defense % | 50.0% (T - 64) | 54.5% (T - 59) | 4th Down Conv. % | Push |
| 1st Downs | 154 (T - 51) | 127 (T - 32) | 1st Downs Allowed | Push |
| 1st Downs Allowed | 112 (17) | 139 (T - 85) | 1st Downs |
|
| Time of Possession | 28:19 (103) | 28:43 (92) | Time of Possession | Push |
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.
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:
Unfortunately, this looks pretty similar to the last time the Lions visited the Spartans - but fortunately, as of the writing of this post, there’s no rain in the forecast for this game.
Last week we talked about special teams trending in the right direction - and that’s continuing this week. Something else that surprised me when running these numbers is fourth down defense; but, by virtue of their defense locking down early, the Lions have faced the third most number of fourth down conversion attempts in the nation so far. Wow.
What say you all?