Michigan State: By the numbers

Here is a look at the raw data comparing Michigan State and Georgia.

	UGA	Nat. Rank	MSU	Nat. Rank
Passing yards	241.2	50	247.5	44
Passing yards allowed	165.1	8	168.4	12
Rushing yards	172.69	40	142.92	75
Rushing yards allowed	103.38	10	104.31	12
Total offense	413.8	39	390.4	60
Total defense	268.5	3	272.7	5
PPG scored	32.2	33	30.8	38
PPG allowed	19.6	16	17.5	9
Punt returns	6.68	81	11.7	24
Punt returns allowed	16.9	119	9.92	86
Punting average	43.46	22	39.47	75
Kickoff returns	22.4	48	24.31	13
Kickoff returns allowed	23.47	92	23.69	100
Kickoff average	65.68	18	65.17	26
First downs	21.6	38	19.8	67
First downs allowed	14.3	2	16.2	12
Sacks	2.62	18	3.15	7
Sacks allowed	2.23	83	1.23	26
Tackles for loss	7.23	18	6.85	27
Tackles for loss allowed	5.77	67	5.08	35
Turnovers gained	29	16	22	50
Turnovers lost	22	63	15	9
Turnover margin	7	23	7	23
3rd down %	43.50%	39	39.56%	74
Opponent 3rd down %	28.81%	3	33.70%	17
Red zone TD %	63.46%	42	60.78%	62
Red zone FG %	19.23%	69	21.57%	57
Red zone total %	82.69%	57	82.34	58
Redzone trips	52	36	51	39
Opp. Red Zone TD %	66.67%	94	60%	64
Opp. Red Zone FG %	22.22%	70	17.14%	33
Opp. Red Zone total %	88.89%	108	77.14%	30
Redzone trips allowed	27	6	35	20
FG%	60.60%	98	72.70%	47
Time of possession	33:48:38	6	31:27:69	27

Truthfully from a statistical point of view these two teams may be the best match up of the bowl season. Georgia averages about 30 more yards per game rushing. Outside of that the offenses and defenses put up nearly identical numbers. Michigan State appears to be slightly better all around in special teams but their numbers don't really blow me away. The one stat that concerns me quite a bit is the sacks and tackles for loss allowed by Georgia. Michigan State is one of the best in the country at getting sacks and tackles for loss. Georgia is in the bottom half of the country in giving them up. Georgia must improve in that area to give their offense a chance against will be one of the better defenses in the nation. All in all it should be a great game.