By The Numbers: Northwestern

Here are the NCAA Stats for Penn State and Northwestern:


NCAA Stats Comparison

Category:	Penn St.	Northwestern
Rushing	29	92
Passing Offense	37	23
Total Offense	23	49
Scoring Offense	32	57
Rushing Defense	4	39
Turnovers Gained	38	15
Passes Had Intercepted	51	68
Pass Defense	9	68
Net Punting	110	116
Punt Returns	99	91
Kickoff Returns	116	103
Turnover Margin	45	61
Fumbles Recovered	80	23
Passes Intercepted	18	18
Fumbles Lost	32	95
Turnovers Lost	39	92
Passing Efficiency	21	53
Pass Efficiency Defense	4	73
Total Defense	3	46
Scoring Defense	1	61
Fewest Penalties Per Game	6	39
Fewest Yards Penalized Per Game	4	27
Punt Return Yardage Defense	117	49
Kickoff Return Yardage Defense	83	68
Offense Third-down Efficiency	3	6
Offense Fourth-down Efficiency	54	32
Defense Third-down Efficiency	11	57
Defense Fourth-down Efficiency	8	31
Tackles for Loss	4	73
Offense Tackles for Loss	16	57
Pass Sacks	8	36
Pass Sacks Allowed	20	78
Time of Possession	6	52
First Downs	22	14
First Downs Allowed	4	44
Red Zone Efficiency	44	19
Red Zone Efficiency - Defense	1	15
Average NCAA Rank:	32.49	52.43
Weighted Avg. Rank:	26.5	61.5

Just like last week, there is no indication statistically, that this should be a close game. (Northwestern is actually better than THEM in average NCAA rank, but not when weighted for important categories.)

Offensively, the Wildcats have a slightly better passing unit, but this will be offset by Penn State's better ranked pass defense. Both teams are excellent on third down conversions, but Penn State has the edge defensively. Penn State has the third best overall defense in the nation and the best scoring defense in the country.

NW is actually worse in TO margin and TO's lost. Both teams are struggling with KO returns and net punting.

The factors which work against Penn State this week aren't on paper. They are a showdown on the horizon with the Buckeyes and a natural letdown against an allegedly inferior opponent after a big win. These disadvantages can be nuetralized by coaching and leadership--which I think Penn State has at this point.