Penn State # 1 against the run and #2 in Total Defense. Are FGs, Special Teams, and D enough?
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Replies to: Penn State # 1 against the run and #2 in Total Defense. Are FGs, Special Teams, and D enough?
Penn State is 6th in Scoring Defense and 24th in Scoring Offense. ND is 3rd and 3rd respectively.
No stat is perfect, but points win games not yards.
The Irish seem to find a way to score no matter who they play, and are playing complementary football. QB runs aren't damned pretty, but they are pretty damned effective, especially as the game wears on and the defense gets tired. While ND didn't light up the stat board on offense vs UGA, that is somewhat to be expected. They started their TD drive (or play, as it were) inside the 15, and had a KO for a touchdown. Once they were up 20 - 3 against a new starting QB, it made sense to grind out plays and not make mistakes (turnover margin 2nd nationally at +1.3 per game). The worst thing that could have happened in the second half was a turnover to let UGA back in the game. Instead, it was a slow choke hold squeezing the hope out of every UGA drive. All but 1 of ND's 2nd half drives were 3:50 or longer, while for UGA all but 1 was <3 minutes. When you're up by 3 scores, you trade eating time vs scoring points without being too conservative. That very aggressive 4th down switch from a punt to a throw was textbook complementary football without playing scared.
ND should have scored at least one more time if not for uncharacteristic drive-killing penalties. I expect that to be cleaned up.
Right now ESPN analytics has ND with the highest odds of winning the NC (29.2%) - this is skewed by Texas (27%)/Ohio State (28.3%) Game. Ohio State would probably be favored against ND by a touchdown. Texas might be favored vs Irish if they win vs Ohio State.
Another thing the kickoff return skews the stats and should be considered in total yardage.
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Exactly. Special Teams scores and Turnovers skew Offense stats lower by nature
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I like this source better.
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Link: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2024-team-defense.html
With Leonard we will run on PSU. Allar could run on us though. We have more talent and not to be a
worse dick than usual, I think we are mentally tougher than they are. Still will be a slog that could go either way, but my bet is we win.
One wouldn’t think settling for 3 field goals and a return for a TD will win
U multiple games against quality opponents. I think The offense is going to have to do more to win 2 more games.
Our defense can’t win all of them, can it?
Take em one at a time. We will score points on the ball boys.
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