In a separate thread I talked about how there were three 2017 opponents with better Punting stats last year: Ohio State ( #5), Mich ( 26 ), and Pitt ( 36 ). We finished #38, thanks to our frosh punters' excellent year. So the future there looks bright and 2017 should see some marginal improvement. Hence we should have an edge in field position against all but three opponents. (max.)
Regarding Special Team - Returns: we finished 45th in 2016, which showed a continuing trend of improvement during the CJF era, that put us at the 36th %ile. Who finished ahead of us?
Iowa ( #3), Mich (5), Akron (12 ), Pitt (23), and MD ( 36.) that's who.
Not too shabby! And better things appear to be in store for Nittany Lion fans during 2017.
So why does this stat matter? Well, if you couple it with Defensive prowess, good punting and an explosive return game are the stuff upsets are made of. While we should have the edge over Akron, Pitt and MD, two teams could make things work in their favor. We play IA at their place. And we play OSU at their place. But notice OSU was ranked #85 last year in punt returns, an unusual chink in their armour that could work in our favor.
On the other hand, the home game edge goes in our favor against MICH, PITT, as well as against teams just below us in the return yardage rankings, IN (53) and NEBR (61.)
Outlook 2017: Punting: continued progress by adding one yard to our punting average would be enough to move us up from 36th to the 20-25 range at the end of 2017. A very good place to be.
Returns: 2016: PR Avg= 6.5 yds. KR Avg= 19.7 yds.
The Top TEN PR Avg was 14.8 yards. The Top Ten KR Avg was 22 yds.
Hence our greatest area for improvement is in punt returns. Cutting that differential in half would put us at around 10.6 yds per punt return, and move us into the Top 20.
Little things add up. Especially in big games.
Things to watch for: Don't be surprised if IOWA gets a big KO return against us. Don't be surprised if AKRON gets a big punt or KO return against us. Ditto MICH. Ditto PITT.
Summary: To the extend we keep the PITT, IA, OSU and MICH return games in check could go a long ways toward deciding the outcome of those games. Or at least the comfort margin of victory.
Likewise, our ability to get good yardage against the PITT, OSU and MICH punts and KO's could turn those games around.
Regarding Special Team - Returns: we finished 45th in 2016, which showed a continuing trend of improvement during the CJF era, that put us at the 36th %ile. Who finished ahead of us?
Iowa ( #3), Mich (5), Akron (12 ), Pitt (23), and MD ( 36.) that's who.
Not too shabby! And better things appear to be in store for Nittany Lion fans during 2017.
So why does this stat matter? Well, if you couple it with Defensive prowess, good punting and an explosive return game are the stuff upsets are made of. While we should have the edge over Akron, Pitt and MD, two teams could make things work in their favor. We play IA at their place. And we play OSU at their place. But notice OSU was ranked #85 last year in punt returns, an unusual chink in their armour that could work in our favor.
On the other hand, the home game edge goes in our favor against MICH, PITT, as well as against teams just below us in the return yardage rankings, IN (53) and NEBR (61.)
Outlook 2017: Punting: continued progress by adding one yard to our punting average would be enough to move us up from 36th to the 20-25 range at the end of 2017. A very good place to be.
Returns: 2016: PR Avg= 6.5 yds. KR Avg= 19.7 yds.
The Top TEN PR Avg was 14.8 yards. The Top Ten KR Avg was 22 yds.
Hence our greatest area for improvement is in punt returns. Cutting that differential in half would put us at around 10.6 yds per punt return, and move us into the Top 20.
Little things add up. Especially in big games.
Things to watch for: Don't be surprised if IOWA gets a big KO return against us. Don't be surprised if AKRON gets a big punt or KO return against us. Ditto MICH. Ditto PITT.
Summary: To the extend we keep the PITT, IA, OSU and MICH return games in check could go a long ways toward deciding the outcome of those games. Or at least the comfort margin of victory.
Likewise, our ability to get good yardage against the PITT, OSU and MICH punts and KO's could turn those games around.
