re: I sure hope LSU is better than the stats show

Penn State:
Record: 9-2
Opp. rec: 68-64
Total ypg: 399.7
Total PPG: 25.3
Opp. ypg: 283.5
Opp. PPG: 12.5
TOP: 32:08
Yds per min: 12.4
Points per min: .79

LSU:
Record: 9-3
Opp. rec: 59-69
Total ypg: 309.7
Total PPG: 25.5
Opp. ypg: 326.6
Opp PPG: 16.0
TOP: 28:21
Yds per min: 10.9
Points per min: .90

There's not much of a difference. Penn State has a significant ypg difference because they hold on to the ball longer, but LSU actually scores more points per minute than Penn State. The point of deriving that stat is to demonstrate that when LSU does have the ball, it moves the ball more effectively than Penn State.

That's important because it matches both teams' styles of play. PSU runs the spread offense, but it doesn't have the Texas Tech two-minute-drill-for-sixty-minutes mentality. PSU holds on to the ball and moves the ball methodically. It's not meant to be a big-play offense; big plays happen because they have playmakers that make big plays happen, not necessarily out of design.

LSU's defensive scheme doesn't allow for this. Chavis is well-known for his prevent defense schemes, which keep players backed up in order to prevent big plays. It sacrifices first downs to prevent touchdowns, basically. This leads to opponents driving down the field - as evidenced by the fact that LSU, on average, loses the TOP battle, as well as LSU's subpar 3rd down defense stats (36.76%, 45th in the country) - but failing to score - proven by the low PPG count and LSU's respectable redzone efficiency defense (T-33rd with 78% conversion, but only 36% converted for TDs).

Basically, the stats are a good indicator of both teams' style of play - and are a bad indicator of which is superior.