Minnesota Penn State match-up

[canuckhal]

I haven't watched a MN game, but should be interesting how they match-up against PSU.

1) Defense
MN is ranked 13th in total defense; PSU is ranked 9th in the nation.
MN has 11 interceptions; PSU has 8.
MN ranks 48th in sacks with 19; PSU ranks 6th with 30.
MN ranks 110 in tackles for loss with 37; PSU ranks 7th with 67.
MN ranks 27th in rushing defense with 3.61 yards/rush; PSU ranks 2nd with 1.99.
MN ranks 9th in passing yards; PSU ranks 21.
MN ranks 20th in scoring defense with 22 points per game ; PSU ranks 2nd with 9.6.

2) Offense
MN is ranked 44th in total offense; PSU is ranked 49th in the nation.
MN ranks 30th in rushing offense with 4.35 yards/rush; PSU ranks 60th with 4.63.
MN ranks 74th in passing yards; PSU ranks 43rd.
MN averages 5.5 tackles for loss allowed; PSU 6.0.
Ranked almost identical in scoring 38.5 vs. 38.4.

3) Turnover margin
MN is ranked 23rd with +5; PSU is ranked 11th with +7.

4) Special teams
Kick off returns: who cares as MN won't have any.
Net punting: MN ranks 94th with 36.7 ; PSU ranks 44th with 39.
Punt returns: MN ranks 105th with 4.83 yards ; PSU ranks 76th with 6.48.

4) Common opponents
Purdue: MN 38-31; PSU 35-7
Maryland MN 52-10; PSU 58-0

5) Scheduling
PSU has beat two ranked opponents: Iowa and Michigan. Both are top defensive teams with Iowa ranked 6th and Michigan 8th in the nation. MSU is ranked in the top 25.
MN has not played a ranked opponent.

6) Injuries
According to Franklin, PSU has some minor injuries from MSU game, but expects everyone to be ready for MN. Great time for the bye week.
MN also has bye and I have no idea on injuries.

7) Offensive/defensive philosophies
MN rush/pass about 2:1; PSU 1:1
We know that PSU likes to be balanced with run/pass with RPO and QB runs and goes for explosive plays.
MN appears to be run first, which opens the pass (my guess play action since their QB doesn't run much) and are all about time of possession. These are contrasting philosophies.

PSU defensive philosophy is stop the run, make you one dimensional and get tackles for loss from pressure and turnovers.
I have no idea about MN, but stats indicate that they may play more zone and don't blitz as often forcing QBs to throw into tight windows for interceptions.

Penn State looks to match up well with Minny. Let's hope that is the case and PSU goes to 9-0.

 

[zubrus1]

I haven't watched a MN game, but should be interesting how they match-up against PSU.

1) Defense
MN is ranked 13th in total defense; PSU is ranked 9th in the nation.
MN has 11 interceptions; PSU has 8.
MN ranks 48th in sacks with 19; PSU ranks 6th with 30.
MN ranks 110 in tackles for loss with 37; PSU ranks 7th with 67.
MN ranks 27th in rushing defense with 3.61 yards/rush; PSU ranks 2nd with 1.99.
MN ranks 9th in passing yards; PSU ranks 21.
MN ranks 20th in scoring defense with 22 points per game ; PSU ranks 2nd with 9.6.

2) Offense
MN is ranked 44th in total offense; PSU is ranked 49th in the nation.
MN ranks 30th in rushing offense with 4.35 yards/rush; PSU ranks 60th with 4.63.
MN ranks 74th in passing yards; PSU ranks 43rd.
MN averages 5.5 tackles for loss allowed; PSU 6.0.
Ranked almost identical in scoring 38.5 vs. 38.4.

3) Turnover margin
MN is ranked 23rd with +5; PSU is ranked 11th with +7.

4) Special teams
Kick off returns: who cares as MN won't have any.
Net punting: MN ranks 94th with 36.7 ; PSU ranks 44th with 39.
Punt returns: MN ranks 105th with 4.83 yards ; PSU ranks 76th with 6.48.

4) Common opponents
Purdue: MN 38-31; PSU 35-7
Maryland MN 52-10; PSU 58-0

5) Scheduling
PSU has beat two ranked opponents: Iowa and Michigan. Both are top defensive teams with Iowa ranked 6th and Michigan 8th in the nation. MSU is ranked in the top 25.
MN has not played a ranked opponent.

6) Injuries
According to Franklin, PSU has some minor injuries from MSU game, but expects everyone to be ready for MN. Great time for the bye week.
MN also has bye and I have no idea on injuries.

7) Offensive/defensive philosophies
MN rush/pass about 2:1; PSU 1:1
We know that PSU likes to be balanced with run/pass with RPO and QB runs and goes for explosive plays.
MN appears to be run first, which opens the pass (my guess play action since their QB doesn't run much) and are all about time of possession. These are contrasting philosophies.

PSU defensive philosophy is stop the run, make you one dimensional and get tackles for loss from pressure and turnovers.
I have no idea about MN, but stats indicate that they may play more zone and don't blitz as often forcing QBs to throw into tight windows for interceptions.

Penn State looks to match up well with Minny. Let's hope that is the case and PSU goes to 9-0.

how are we lower ranked rushing when we average more YPC?

 

[rico18]

Game scheduled for 11:00AM central time. Disadvantage PSU

 

[PSUFBFAN]

Game scheduled for 11:00AM central time. Disadvantage PSU

Why, does Minnesota get to start at 10:00 am and jump out to a big lead?

 

[PennStateTurf2002]

Game scheduled for 11:00AM central time. Disadvantage PSU

Noon used to be a nightmare but not sure it is anymore. I feel like game time hasn’t meant anything for a while. Franklin and that staff actually prefer noon games.

 

[ValentinoRossi]

Game scheduled for 11:00AM central time. Disadvantage PSU

That’s dumb. 11 central is the same as 12 eastern which we have plenty of, so why would it be a disadvantage?

 

[canuckhal]

how are we lower ranked rushing when we average more YPC?

They have more yards. That appears to be the way NCAA ranks them.

 

[Nationalchamps1]

That’s dumb. 11 central is the same as 12 eastern which we have plenty of, so why would it be a disadvantage?

For PS it will 'feel' just like a noon game. I do not know the travel schedule but bet they will not even be there 24 hours before game time. For Minn it will be 11 feel since their normal is CST.

 

[diontechristmas]

Game scheduled for 11:00AM central time. Disadvantage PSU

Think it’s better actually. It’s noon our time and May make the crowd less rowdy.

 

[PSUisBack2017]

Not being critical of Minny at all....but our schedule has been WAY more difficult. Best team they have played is Fresno.

 

[rico18]

We tend to start slow at noon games at venues such as Purdue and Indiana. But this is a different team with much more focus. I believe the Minnesota AD passed on a night game. He probably thinks that the noon gives Minnesota an advantage.

 

[HazletonLion]

Clocks go back this week for both teams, translation 10:00 A.M. Minnesota, 11:00 A.M. Penn State, real feel.

 

[fizzyskittles]

Not being critical of Minny at all....but our schedule has been WAY more difficult. Best team they have played is Fresno.

My guess similar to 2005.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=252730213

 

[bhill29]

Clocks go back this week for both teams, translation 10:00 A.M. Minnesota, 11:00 A.M. Penn State, real feel.

Clocks change Saturday night, no effect on the game.

 

[Lane]

Minnesota analysis prefixed by “I haven’t watched Minnesota” is some next level, Stephen A. Smith type stuff.

 

[canuckhal]

Minnesota analysis prefixed by “I haven’t watched Minnesota” is some next level, Stephen A. Smith type stuff.

Well, I guess I'm not passing the ole "eye test" analysis. Rather than being snarky, how about putting some effort in and adding something constructive to my analysis. I'm sure others along with me would welcome it.

 

[BBHorn86]

8-0 is 8-0, never easy no matter who you are so no disrespect to Minnesota, they could beat us. That said, anyone want to guess what our statistics would look like had we played...

South Dakota State
Fresno State
Georgia Southern
Illinois
Purdue
Nebraska
Rutgers
Maryland

In common games we've outscored Purdue and Maryland 90-7 playing Maryland on the road. They had Purdue on the road and Maryland at home and went 90-41.

They have not seen a defense as fast and as deep as ours. I think they may jump out to any early lead against us on adrenaline and gimmick plays as the "row the boat" but we will eventually methodically start to take over the game as we settle in. It will be close though. Biggest game in Minnesota football since 1960.

 

[KnightWhoSaysNit]

Clocks go back this week for both teams, translation 10:00 A.M. Minnesota, 11:00 A.M. Penn State, real feel.

Actually, the "real feel" is an hour later when the clocks "fall back," but over the period of a week that feeling will be diminished. In other words, we gain an hour in the fall but lose an hour in the spring.

 

[djr4rebs]

That said, anyone want to guess what our statistics would look like had we played...

If we had played that schedule, we'd probably be ranked lower than we are currently, but not as low as Minnesota. We'd also have no idea how well we could handle adversity or a tough road opponent. Our stats would be exponentially better, probably along the lines of Ohio State stat lines.

Winning is winning, but how much more daunting is the Minnesota schedule than App State's? SMU's?

They have a lot to play for, but for them to win they will need us to sleepwalk a la OSU and their Iowa/Purdue losses and the GGs will have to play lights out. Say what you will, but to lose this game would be a monumental upset regardless of the dueling 8-0 records.

 

[Agoodnap]

That’s dumb. 11 central is the same as 12 eastern which we have plenty of, so why would it be a disadvantage?

It will actually be an advantage. When traveling west, within reason, the morning is an advantage and a late game is a disadvantage. Should be the opposite for traveling east, but that's when jet lag hits me hard.

 

[djr4rebs]

No doubt.

Conversely, PSU has not seen a group of offensive skill position guys as good as what they will see in Minneapolis.

Minnesota backs/receivers are better than Michigan???

 

[MoyerJones]

If kickoff is at noon, someone should get Franklin a phone so that those of us back east who are watching the game can let him know what not to do in the game because it’ll be an hour earlier there and those errors won’t have happened yet.

-Ken M.

 

[PSU.:.]

No doubt.

Conversely, PSU has not seen a group of offensive skill position guys as good as what they will see in Minneapolis.

Nope

 

[TheWayITellEm]

Purdue scored 2 touchdowns late in the 4th quarter, sandwiched around a fluke onside kick, to make the game seem closer than it really was vs Minnesota. Every other B1G game was a clear blowout victory. 10 straight wins for Minnesota going back to last year...blowout victories @Wisconsin (37-7 til the final minute) and in a Bowl (34-10).

 

[tboyer]

Thanks for this. The schedule disparity is so large it's hard to know what it means.

According to this PSU's SOS so far ranks 9th in the country; Minnesota is 75th (Minnesota's REMAINING schedule is one of the most difficult in the country)

https://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/ranking/schedule-strength-by-other

Anyway the Gophers are a high quality team, nobody gets to 8-0 without a very good team.

And in this case I think it's worth looking at what Minnesota did at the end of last year when they soundly beat Wisconsin (not a great Wisky team) and Ga. Tech in their bowl.

But it's really hard to know how the matchups are going to play out because they just haven't been challenged by quality opponents this year.

Purdue might be the best team they've played, and Purdue lost their top two players near the beginning of that game.

I haven't watched a MN game, but should be interesting how they match-up against PSU.

1) Defense
MN is ranked 13th in total defense; PSU is ranked 9th in the nation.
MN has 11 interceptions; PSU has 8.
MN ranks 48th in sacks with 19; PSU ranks 6th with 30.
MN ranks 110 in tackles for loss with 37; PSU ranks 7th with 67.
MN ranks 27th in rushing defense with 3.61 yards/rush; PSU ranks 2nd with 1.99.
MN ranks 9th in passing yards; PSU ranks 21.
MN ranks 20th in scoring defense with 22 points per game ; PSU ranks 2nd with 9.6.

2) Offense
MN is ranked 44th in total offense; PSU is ranked 49th in the nation.
MN ranks 30th in rushing offense with 4.35 yards/rush; PSU ranks 60th with 4.63.
MN ranks 74th in passing yards; PSU ranks 43rd.
MN averages 5.5 tackles for loss allowed; PSU 6.0.
Ranked almost identical in scoring 38.5 vs. 38.4.

3) Turnover margin
MN is ranked 23rd with +5; PSU is ranked 11th with +7.

4) Special teams
Kick off returns: who cares as MN won't have any.
Net punting: MN ranks 94th with 36.7 ; PSU ranks 44th with 39.
Punt returns: MN ranks 105th with 4.83 yards ; PSU ranks 76th with 6.48.

4) Common opponents
Purdue: MN 38-31; PSU 35-7
Maryland MN 52-10; PSU 58-0

5) Scheduling
PSU has beat two ranked opponents: Iowa and Michigan. Both are top defensive teams with Iowa ranked 6th and Michigan 8th in the nation. MSU is ranked in the top 25.
MN has not played a ranked opponent.

6) Injuries
According to Franklin, PSU has some minor injuries from MSU game, but expects everyone to be ready for MN. Great time for the bye week.
MN also has bye and I have no idea on injuries.

7) Offensive/defensive philosophies
MN rush/pass about 2:1; PSU 1:1
We know that PSU likes to be balanced with run/pass with RPO and QB runs and goes for explosive plays.
MN appears to be run first, which opens the pass (my guess play action since their QB doesn't run much) and are all about time of possession. These are contrasting philosophies.

PSU defensive philosophy is stop the run, make you one dimensional and get tackles for loss from pressure and turnovers.
I have no idea about MN, but stats indicate that they may play more zone and don't blitz as often forcing QBs to throw into tight windows for interceptions.

Penn State looks to match up well with Minny. Let's hope that is the case and PSU goes to 9-0.

 

[tboyer]

Here's something I find interesting about Minnesota.

Their OL is HUGE. a 6-9, 400 pound left tackle from Australia -- and he's a good one, NFL prospect for sure. One of their guards listed at 370.

But their DL is smallish. One DT is listed at 250 and starting DEs listed at 238 and 240.

So they're all about quickness on the D-front.
But their O-front is all about brute size.

https://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/minnesota/91188

In the video I've seen, Tanner Morgan releases the ball pretty fast. He's not much of a running threat but sacks might be hard to come by. For PSU it's probably about getting early pressure and forcing early throws before their receivers get open deep.

I'm not blown away by the Minnesota running backs but they have two wideouts with size and speed. They will get some catches and the PSU safeties will have to be careful not to let them get behind them.

Defensively, on film they look small but quick. Physically similar to the Maryland D. They will have to stunt and blitz like crazy to try to get pressure on the PSU backfield. One big difference from Maryland -- they are a very experienced D. Two transfer corners from bigger programs -- one from Michigan, one from Florida.

Anyway on film they look quick and swarm to the ball. They make Iowa and Michigan State look like lumbering giants. It will be a different kind of defense from what PSU has seen for most of this season. But especially if they have to blitz too much, some of the Maryland game plan might apply here.

 

[mnuccio2]

Here's something I find interesting about Minnesota.

Their OL is HUGE. a 6-9, 400 pound left tackle from Australia -- and he's a good one, NFL prospect for sure. One of their guards listed at 370.

But their DL is smallish. One DT is listed at 250 and starting DEs listed at 238 and 240.

So they're all about quickness on the D-front.
But their O-front is all about brute size.

Size is one thing but are they any good? Can they play? Do they have quick feet and good hands? Our Dline is really athletic but we have come up SMALL in getting to the QB against Iowa and Michigan (two teams with good olines) and that scares me. We had to bring other pressure to get to the QB in these games and even then we struggled. This burned us numerous times on 3rd and long. If MN WR are as good as advertised and we can’t sustain any pressure this could be problematic.

Now granted if these 6’9 400 lineman are stuck in quicksand we should be able to blow around them and generate a rush I would hope!! I also have not seen anything stat wise or read anything that indicates that their QB likes to run. Collapse that pocket and he is in trouble and good things will come.

 

[tboyer]

They were in a real game against the Illini into well into the 2nd half, then the Il secondary got extremely sloppy and gave up a couple of easy TDs.

Purdue scored 2 touchdowns late in the 4th quarter, sandwiched around a fluke onside kick, to make the game seem closer than it really was vs Minnesota. Every other B1G game was a clear blowout victory. 10 straight wins for Minnesota going back to last year...blowout victories @Wisconsin (37-7 til the final minute) and in a Bowl (34-10).

 

[tboyer]

I can't wait to see Shaka Toney go up against a 6-9, 400-pound OT. He has no chance if the guy gets a handful of jersey, but otherwise he has such an extreme quickness advantage.

Size is one thing but are they any good? Can they play? Do they have quick feet and good hands? Our Dline is really athletic but we have come up SMALL in getting to the QB against Iowa and Michigan (two teams with good olines) and that scares me. We had to bring other pressure to get to the QB in these games and even then we struggled. This burned us numerous times on 3rd and long. If MN WR are as good as advertised and we can’t sustain any pressure this could be problematic.

Now granted if these 6’9 400 lineman are stuck in quicksand we should be able to blow around them and generate a rush I would hope!! I also have not seen anything stat wise or read anything that indicates that their QB likes to run. Collapse that pocket and he is in trouble and good things will come.

 

[Aardvark86]

Clocks go back this week for both teams, translation 10:00 A.M. Minnesota, 11:00 A.M. Penn State, real feel.

That happens sat pm

 

[maxxedout]

If kickoff is at noon, someone should get Franklin a phone so that those of us back east who are watching the game can let him know what not to do in the game because it’ll be an hour earlier there and those errors won’t have happened yet.

-Ken M.

Wow good catch. Better yet we can leave the answers in a mailbox so he can find the answers later.


One man-card surrendered per the usual protocol.

 

[maxxedout]

Here's something I find interesting about Minnesota.

Their OL is HUGE. a 6-9, 400 pound left tackle from Australia -- and he's a good one, NFL prospect for sure. One of their guards listed at 370.

But their DL is smallish. One DT is listed at 250 and starting DEs listed at 238 and 240.

So they're all about quickness on the D-front.
But their O-front is all about brute size.

https://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/minnesota/91188

In the video I've seen, Tanner Morgan releases the ball pretty fast. He's not much of a running threat but sacks might be hard to come by. For PSU it's probably about getting early pressure and forcing early throws before their receivers get open deep.

I'm not blown away by the Minnesota running backs but they have two wideouts with size and speed. They will get some catches and the PSU safeties will have to be careful not to let them get behind them.

Defensively, on film they look small but quick. Physically similar to the Maryland D. They will have to stunt and blitz like crazy to try to get pressure on the PSU backfield. One big difference from Maryland -- they are a very experienced D. Two transfer corners from bigger programs -- one from Michigan, one from Florida.

Anyway on film they look quick and swarm to the ball. They make Iowa and Michigan State look like lumbering giants. It will be a different kind of defense from what PSU has seen for most of this season. But especially if they have to blitz too much, some of the Maryland game plan might apply here.

Have watched their highlights. They have some real speed from their playmakers. Gonna be a big ask of our guys next weekend...

 

[psualt]

That happens sat pm

But the game isn’t this week. Not sure how getting an extra hour is a bad thing anyway.

 

[MDNittanyLion]

MN field is fieldturf which I think gives us, with our team speed, an advantage too. UMD was turf also.

 

[BBrown]

Clocks go back this week for both teams, translation 10:00 A.M. Minnesota, 11:00 A.M. Penn State, real feel.

Clocks change on Sat. night.

 

[BBrown]

Minnesota backs/receivers are better than Michigan???

I think the Minny RB is better than the Michigan kid and their 1 WR might be as good as People Jones.

 

[PSU2UNC]

Clocks go back this week for both teams, translation 10:00 A.M. Minnesota, 11:00 A.M. Penn State, real feel.

They have a week to adjust to the time change for DST. Non-issue.

 

[BobPSU92]

They have a week to adjust to the time change for DST. Non-issue.

And then it's just a one-hour difference in Minneapolis. I doubt the Penn State players are going to have their eyes half-closed at kickoff while mumbling, "Why do we have to play so early?!"

 

[mn78psu83]

And then it's just a one-hour difference in Minneapolis. I doubt the Penn State players are going to have their eyes half-closed at kickoff while mumbling, "Why do we have to play so early?!"

They will be disoriented, spinning in circles like tops and flailing their arms wildly like a dizzy drunk taking swings at a piñata.

 

[BobPSU92]

They will be disoriented, spinning in circles like tops and swinging their arms wildly like a dizzy drunk taking swings at a piñata.