PSU Preview in Numbers

Submitted by The Mathlete on

Switching too a little different format.  Going to take go along the lines of Brian does in his main preview but rather than use measly yards, I am going to use my adjusted expected value system.  Explanation Here.

My line:  Penn State is +25 on the year, Michigan is -4.  Not a good combination.

Run Offense vs PSU

Rush numbers don't swing as wide as passing numbers.

Penn State averages +3 for the year, which is good for 25th in the country. Here's the game by game breakdown.

Rush - Game+


Offense Def
Syracuse 8.44
Wisconsin 4.30
Temple 3.07
Purdue 1.88
Oregon State -1.04
Illinois -1.16

Sacks are included in the pass stats, and garbage time is excluded.

Pass Offense vs PSU

Penn State averages +5 for the year, which is good for 26th in the country. Because so many of there games have been blowouts and garbage time is excluded here, their play count is the lowest in the country for a BCS conference school.  On a per play basis, the Nittany Lions rank 14th in the country. Here's the game by game breakdown.

Pass - Game+


Offense Def
Temple 11.23
Oregon State 8.79
Syracuse 7.09
Wisconsin 2.85
Purdue 1.38
Illinois -4.11
Overall its the 22nd rated defense vs the 113th rated offense.

Run Defense vs PSU

Penn State is at +5 for the year, an impressive 5th in the country.

Rush - Game+


Defense Off
Oregon State 12.36
Temple 11.00
Syracuse 5.44
Wisconsin 0.89
Illinois -0.31
Purdue -1.74

Pass Defense vs PSU

Penn State is at their usual +5 for the year, 18th in the country.  Their lack of close games comes into play again here, their per play score is good for 9th. Not a negative performance on the season from the PSU passing game:

Pass - Game+


Defense Off
Oregon State 7.89
Illinois 7.43
Temple 7.43
Purdue 4.93
Syracuse 2.59
Wisconsin 1.37

Overall its the 35th rated defense vs the 6th rated offense.

Special Teams

Battle of strength on strength when Michigan punts, battle of weakness on weakness when PSU punts.  Kickoffs look like a wash.

Michigan punts, PSU returns: Michigan average of 43.1 yards net.  PSU average of 34.9 yards net.

PSU punts, Michigan returns: PSU average of 35.3 yards net. Michigan average of 39.3 yards net.

Michigan kicks off, PSU returns: PSU average start at 29, Michigan average opp start at 29.

PSU kicks off, Michigan returns: Michigan average start at 29, PSU average opp start at 27.

PSU placekicking is #9 in the country, yielding about an extra point/game.

Intangibles

Not a lot of measurements for intangibles, but PSU's gains on field position have been strong, #20 in the country, worth a FG a game, while Michigan sits at #92, costing them a a couple points a game.

Both teams have been solid in the penalty department with Michigan holding a slight lead.

PSU has scored 91% of possible points in the red zone and allowed 80%.

Michigan has scored 76% of possible points while allowing 68%.

 

 

 

 

 

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