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The numbers behind this week’s top Big Ten East matchup!
No. 10 Penn St. Nittany Lions (8-1; 5-1 Big Ten East) vs Michigan Wolverines (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten East)
12:00 p.m. ET, November 11, 2023—Fox
Beaver Stadium (Capacity: 106,572 / University Park, PA)
| Penn State | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Value (Nat'l Rank) | Michigan | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Offense (ypg) | 173.2 (42) | 90.1 (9) | Rushing Defense (ypg) |  |
| Passing Offense (ypg) | 220.8 (74) | 141.3 (1) | Passing Defense (ypg) |
|
| Pass Efficiency | 140.0 (54) | 95.56 (2) | Pass Efficiency Defense |
|
| Total Offense (ypg) | 394.0 (60) | 231.4 (1) | Total Defense (ypg) |
|
| Scoring Offense (ppg) | 40.2 (6) | 6.67 (1) | Scoring Defense (ppg) | Push |
| Rushing Defense (ypg) | 60.3 (1) | 167.1 (50) | Rushing Offense (ypg) | [TAG8] |
| Passing Defense (ypg) | 173.9 (12) | 357.1 (44) | Passing Offense (ypg) | [TAG8] |
| Pass Efficiency Defense | 109.24 (9) | 182.42 (2) | Pass Efficiency | Push |
| Total Defense (ypg) | 234.2 (2) | 424.2 (42) | Total Offense (ypg) | [TAG8] |
| Scoring Defense (ppg) | 11.89 (3) | 40.7 (5) | Scoring Offense (ppg) | Push |
| Punt Return Defense (ypr) | 5.2 (36) | 8.48 (66) | Punt Return Yds (ypr) | [TAG8] |
| Punt Return Yds (ypr) | 11.45 (31) | 6.0 (T - 44) | Punt Return Defense (ypr) | Push |
| Net Punting Yds (ypp) | 41.25 (24) | 42.87 (9) | Net Punting Yds (ypp) | Push |
| Kickoff Return Yds (ypr) | 24.07 (21) | 13.6 (4) | Kickoff Return Defense (ypr) | Push |
| Kickoff Return Defense (ypr) | 16.83 (26) | 16.25 (117) | Kickoff Return Yds (ypr) | [TAG8] [TAG8] [TAG8] |
| Turnover Margin | +1.78 (1) | +1.0 (T - 6) | Turnover Margin | Push |
| Passes Had Intercepted (total) | 1 (1) | 12 (T - 7) | Passes Intercepted (total) | Push |
| Passes Intercepted (total) | 10 (T - 19) | 4 (T - 10) | Passes Had Intercepted (total) | Push |
| Penalty Yds/Game | 49.8 (55) | 23.11 (1) | Penalty Yds/Game |
|
| Sacks (spg) | 4.22 (1) | 1.22 (T - 18) | Sacks Allowed (spg) | Push |
| Sacks Allowed (spg) | 1.33 (T - 25) | 2.44 (T - 41) | Sacks (spg) | Push |
| Tackles for Loss (tpg) | 8.4 (4) | 3.22 (T - 3) | Tackles for Loss Allowed (tpg) | Push |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed (tpg) | 4.22 (T - 17) | 6.3 (T - 32) | Tackles for Loss (tpg) | Push |
| Redzone Offense (% season) | 95.7% (6) | 45.5% (1) | Redzone Defense (% season) | Push |
| Redzone Defense (% season) | 87.5% (T - 93) | 89.9% (T - 35) | Redzone Offense (% season) |
|
| Redzone TD % (season) | 78.72% | 9.09% | Redzone TD % Defense (season) | |
| Redzone TD % Defense (season) | 56.25% | 77.78% | Redzone TD % (season) | Push |
| 3rd Down Conv. % (season) | 42.2% (45) | 29.4% (13) | 3rd Down Defense % (season) | |
| 3rd Down Defense % (season) | 28.7% (8) | 55.6% (2) | 3rd Down Conv. % (season) | Push |
| 4th Down Conv. % (season) | 84.2% (3) | 26.3% (7) | 4th Down Defense % (season) | Push |
| 4th Down Defense % (season) | 40.0% (T - 31) | 63.6% (T - 31) | 4th Down Conv. % (season) | Push |
| 1st Downs (season) | 215 (17) | 102 (1) | 1st Downs Allowed (season) | Push |
| 1st Downs Allowed (season) | 118 (2) | 201 (T - 36) | 1st Downs (season) | [TAG8] |
| Time of Possession | 33 (3) | 32 (15) | Time of Possession | Push |
| Strength of Schedule | 57 | 70 | Strength of Schedule | Push |
Difference >25 in National Rank = [TAG8]
Difference >50 in National Rank = [TAG8][TAG8]
Note:
All of the above rankings are taken directly from the NCAA except for strength of schedule, which is taken from Power Rankings.
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:
Honestly, this isn’t as bad as a lot of us likely feared! The Penn State defense is just as elite as Michigan’s, against a tougher schedule; UM’s offense is decidedly ahead of PSU’s, aside from a few great games (including last week’s against Maryland).
A few specifics:
- PSU is back on top of the NCAA rankings in interceptions thrown; Air Force had 0 before last week, but now has two.
- Penn State has done well on a lot of fourth down tries, at 16 of 19 so far on the year; Michigan is 7 of 11 on fourth downs.
- Nittany Lion opponents have made 6 of 15 fourth down tries, while Wolverine opponents have succeeded on five out of their 19 fourth down attempts.
- PSU has been in the red zone two more times than Michigan, 47 to 45; UM’s opponents have been in the red zone the fewest number of times in the nation (11) to Penn State’s opponents 16 (third in the nation)
- The punt return numbers are almost even (Michigan has returned 23 to our 22), but Penn State’s opponents have returned 15 to UM opponents’ 4
- The Wolverines have punted only 23 times, while PSU has punted 36
- Michigan opponents have returned ten kickoffs (with 46 touchbacks); Penn State opponents have returned fourteen kickoffs (with 43 touchbacks)
What say you all?
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By: Cari Greene
Title: Just the Stats: No. 10 Penn State vs No. 3 Michigan
Sourced From: www.blackshoediaries.com/2023/11/8/23950023/penn-state-football-just-the-stats-no-9-vs-no-3-michigan-top-ranked-defense-elite-mediocre-offense
Published Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2023 16:42:00 +0000
