By the Numbers: Comparing Ohio State and Penn State
COLUMBUS — The Penn State offense isn’t necessarily explosive. Yet. The Nittany Lions have just 16 plays of 20-plus yards from scrimmage this season, the second fewest in the Big Ten. For reference, Ohio State has 35 such plays this season.
But don’t get it twisted: Penn State doesn’t have trouble scoring. Led by head coach James Franklin, the Nittany Lions are tied for fifth in the FBS with 44.3 points per game.
Long, methodical drives are the bread and butter of this Penn State offense, which is piloted by first-year starting quarterback Drew Allar, a Medina, Ohio, native.
Penn State is second in the country in time of possession. The Nittany Lions love to run the ball and chew clock, and when they get to the red zone, they mean business. They are third nationally in red zone touchdown percentage, scoring touchdowns in the red area 81.82% of the time they reach the opposing 20-yard line.
Ohio State had 13 offensive possessions at Purdue last week. The Buckeyes could very well be looking at 8-10 this week versus Penn State. Getting off the field on third down will be paramount for this Ohio State defense and efficiency on offense will be key as well.
Penn State appears to be as well rounded as it gets. But the Nittany Lions have yet to face an offense as potent as Ohio State’s.
Lettermen Row tracked how Ohio State and Penn State compare after six games, by the numbers.
Scoring Offense
Buckeyes: 36.0 points per game (21st nationally in FBS, 3rd in Big Ten)
Penn State: 44.3 points per game (T-5th nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Total Offense
Buckeyes: 443.0 yards per game (34th nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Penn State: 426.7 yards per game (43rd nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)
Passing Offense
Buckeyes: 308.0 yards per game (15th nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Penn State: 223.3 yards per game (79th nationally in FBS, 7th in Big Ten)
Rushing Offense
Buckeyes: 135.0 yards per game (94th nationally in FBS, 9th in Big Ten)
Penn State: 203.3 yards per game (16th nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Scoring Defense
Buckeyes: 9.7 points per game allowed (3rd nationally in FBS, 3rd in Big Ten)
Penn State: 8.0 points per game allowed (2nd nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)
Total Defense
Buckeyes: 263.5 yards per game allowed (7th nationally in FBS, 3rd in Big Ten)
Penn State: 193.7 yards per game allowed (1st nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Passing Defense
Buckeyes: 154.3 yards per game allowed (4th nationally in FBS, 3rd in Big Ten)
Penn State: 121.2 yards per game allowed (1st nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Rushing Defense
Buckeyes: 109.2 yards per game allowed (23rd nationally in FBS, 4th in Big Ten)
Penn State: 72.5 yards per game allowed (3rd nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
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3rd Down Conversion
Buckeyes: 44.40% (40th nationally in FBS, 5th in Big Ten)
Penn State: 48.28% (20th nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)
Opponent 3rd Down Conversion
Buckeyes: 34.07% (T-37th nationally in FBS, 6th in Big Ten)
Penn State: 26.51% (4th nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)
Red Zone TD Percentage
Buckeyes: 60.87% (69th nationally in FBS, 11th in Big Ten)
Penn State: 81.82% (3rd nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Opponent Red Zone TD Percentage
Buckeyes: 53.85% (45th nationally in FBS, 6th in Big Ten)
Penn State: 71.43% (T-113th nationally in FBS, 14th in Big Ten)
Sacks Per Game
Buckeyes: 1.67 (T-107th nationally in FBS, T-11th in Big Ten)
Penn State: 4.50 (1st nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Sacks Allowed Per Game
Buckeyes: 1.67 (T-47th nationally in FBS, 8th in Big Ten)
Penn State: 0.67 (T-5th nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Turnover Margin Per Game
Buckeyes: 0.33 (T-39th nationally in FBS, T-5th in Big Ten)
Penn State: 1.67 (2nd nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Time of Possession
Buckeyes: 28:46.67 (99th nationally in FBS, 11th in Big Ten)
Penn State: 34:35.83 (2nd nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Penalties Per Game
Buckeyes: 6.7 (T-87th nationally in FBS, 13th in Big Ten)
Penn State: 5.2 (41st nationally in FBS, 7th in Big Ten)
Punt Average
Buckeyes: 43.11 (T-51st nationally in FBS, 6th in Big Ten)
Penn State: 42.47 (65th nationally in FBS, 9th in Big Ten)