Syracuse: By The Numbers

From the NCAA stats page:

NCAA Stats Comparison

Category:	Penn St.	Syracuse
Rushing	67	87
Passing Offense	5	80
Total Offense	18	96
Scoring Offense	43	71
Rushing Defense	5	60
Turnovers Gained	71	35
Passes Had Intercepted	46	46
Pass Defense	40	85
Net Punting	99	62
Punt Returns	79	70
Kickoff Returns	52	17
Turnover Margin	78	43
Fumbles Recovered	71	26
Passes Intercepted	30	30
Fumbles Lost	43	43
Turnovers Lost	43	43
Passing Efficiency	34	77
Pass Efficiency Defense	57	39
Total Defense	18	73
Scoring Defense	23	69
Fewest Penalties Per Game	8	74
Fewest Yards Penalized Per Game	9	78
Punt Return Yardage Defense	83	79
Kickoff Return Yardage Defense	83	94
Offense Third-down Efficiency	23	107
Offense Fourth-down Efficiency	1	40
Defense Third-down Efficiency	22	40
Defense Fourth-down Efficiency	1	1
Tackles for Loss	2	33
Offense Tackles for Loss	49	80
Pass Sacks	11	34
Pass Sacks Allowed	31	86
Time of Possession	14	46
First Downs	17	91
First Downs Allowed	9	39
Red Zone Efficiency	89	70
Red Zone Efficiency - Defense	1	60
Average NCAA Rank:	37.16	59.57
Weighted Avg. Rank:	40.58	70.17

Keep in mind that these stats reflect ONE game only. With that said, PSU leads most categories, some overwhelmingly.

The Orange edge out PSU in turnovers gained, net punting, punt returns, kickoff returns , fumbles recovered, turnover margin, pass efficiency defense, punt return kickoff yardage and red zone efficiency. The latter stat wasn't helped by a 28 yard missed field goal and an INT on the 2-yard line last week. In general, Syracuse has better punting stats. The pass efficiency defense may be due to Minnesota being more of a running team, though to be honest, I didn't see that game and Minnesota ranks 33rd in passing offense after one game.

The question will be, can Syracuse defend the pass if they don't commit to stopping the run like Akron did? Of course, the corollary is, can Penn State run if a defense isn't commited to stacking the box?

In crucial matchups, Penn State brings an 18th ranked offense against the nation's 73rd rank defense, while the Orange offer up a 96th ranked offense against the nation's 18th ranked defense. Penn State's offense is 23rd in 3rd down efficiency while Syracuse is 107th.

Barring injuries and turnovers, this game should be well in hand by halftime, but you know the old saying . . . on any given Saturday. . .

Penn State leads the all-time record between these two schools, 41-23-5. Paterno is 22-4 versus the Orange.

The game will be carried on the Big Ten Network--PSU has been on TV 179 of their last 181 games.