By the Numbers: Comparing Ohio State and Georgia

ATLANTA — Ohio State-Georgia is a classic showdown of strength versus strength. The No. 4 Buckeyes have the second-ranked scoring offense in the FBS, while the No. 1 Bulldogs have the second-ranked scoring defense.

Of course, both teams are pretty well rounded — that’s why they’re meeting in the Peach Bowl, which doubles as a College Football Playoff semifinal this year.

But Ohio State has a prolific offense, fueled by a dynamic aerial attack, and Georgia has a defense that’s remarkably good on third down and in the red zone.

Except, even the Buckeyes offense has its droughts (conservative play-calling, penalties and untimely drops haunted Ohio State in its loss to Michigan). And the Bulldogs defense isn’t without some cracks (its leaky pass defense was exposed in the SEC Championship against LSU).

That leaves room for the unexpected on New Year’s Eve.

NOTE: These team stats are from the conclusion of Conference Championship Weekend (bowl stats are not included below).

Scoring Offense

Buckeyes: 44.5 points per game (2nd nationally, 1st Big Ten)

Georgia: 39.2 points per game (11th nationally, 3rd SEC)

Total Offense

Buckeyes: 492.7 yards per game (6th nationally, 1st Big Ten)

Georgia: 491.9 yards per game (7th nationally, 2nd SEC)

Passing Offense

Buckeyes: 294.2 yards per game (14th nationally, 1st Big Ten)

Georgia: 284.9 yards per game (19th nationally, 3rd SEC)

Rushing Offense

Buckeyes: 198.50 yards per game (28th nationally, 3rd Big Ten)

Georgia: 207.00 yards per game (18th nationally, 4th SEC)

Scoring Defense

Buckeyes: 19.3 points per game allowed (13th nationally, 6th Big Ten)

Georgia: 12.8 points per game allowed (2nd nationally, 1st SEC)

Total Defense

Buckeyes: 303.9 yards per game allowed (11th nationally, 5th Big Ten)

Georgia: 292.0 yards per game allowed (9th nationally, 1st SEC)

Passing Defense

Buckeyes: 184.0 yards per game allowed (14th nationally, 5th Big Ten)

Georgia: 215.1 yards per game allowed (51st nationally, 8th SEC)

Rushing Defense

Buckeyes: 119.92 yards per game allowed (23rd nationally, 7th Big Ten)

Georgia: 76.92 yards per game allowed (1st nationally, 1st SEC)

3rd Down Conversion

Buckeyes: 46.10% (21st nationally, 3rd Big Ten)

Georgia: 51.57% (5th nationally, 1st SEC)

Opponent 3rd Down Conversion

Buckeyes: 30.51% (13th nationally, 3rd Big Ten)

Georgia: 26.70% (3rd nationally, 1st SEC)

Red Zone TD Percentage

Buckeyes: 75.86% (T-4th nationally, 1st Big Ten)

Georgia: 67.61% (35th nationally, 6th SEC)

Opponent Red Zone TD Percentage

Buckeyes: 60.87% (T-71st nationally, 8th Big Ten)

Georgia: 32.14% (1st nationally, 1st SEC)

Sacks Per Game

Buckeyes: 2.67 (T-31st nationally, 3rd Big Ten)

Georgia: 2.00 (T-77th nationally, T-7th SEC)

Sacks Allowed Per Game

Buckeyes: 0.67 (5th nationally 1st Big Ten)

Georgia: 0.54 (2nd nationally, 1st SEC)

Turnover Margin Per Game

Buckeyes: 0.58 (T-22nd nationally, 4th Big Ten)

Georgia: 0.00 (T-70th nationally, T-5th SEC)

Time of Possession

Buckeyes: 30:35.50 (47th nationally, 6th Big Ten)

Georgia: 33:50.15 (5th nationally, 1st SEC)

Long Scrimmage Plays (20+ Yards)

Buckeyes: 76 (T-13th nationally, 1st Big Ten)

Georgia: 78 (T-8th nationally, 2nd SEC)

Opponent Long Scrimmage Plays (20+ Yards)

Buckeyes: 42 (T-18th nationally, 5th Big Ten)

Georgia: 42 (T-18th nationally, 2nd SEC)

Penalties Per Game

Buckeyes: 5.8 (T-54th nationally, T-9th Big Ten)

Georgia: 4.5 (T-13th nationally, 1st SEC)

Punt Average

Buckeyes: 45.49 (10th nationally, 2nd Big Ten)

Georgia: 44.94 (18th nationally, 4th SEC)