[Mick]

Rushing yards per game

Love      198  (#1 nationally)
Barkley  108  (#17)

Rushing yards per attempt

Love      10.3  (#1)
Barkley    6.4  (#26)

Runs of 20+ yards

Love      22  (#1)
Barkley    8  (#12)

The average rushing defense ranking of the two teams is very close on the surface.  The average Rush D rank of Penn State's seven opponents is #61.5 (out of 128 FBS schools).  The average Rush D rank of Stanford's six opponents is #62.3.  Of course, Love has outrushed Barkley by 90 yards per game.  Stanford is #15 in the country in rushing offense at 258.7 ypg and Penn State is #65 at 165.0 ypg, meaning that Stanford has had 93 ypg greater impact on the rushing defenses it faces than penn state.  In other words, if we inflicted Stanford's rush against Penn State's opponents, their average rank wouldn't be 61.5, Penn State's opponents rushing defense average would be about #118.

As for strength of schedule, Stanford's 2017 football schedule is ranked #6 by teamrankings.com.  Penn State's is #22.

If it isn't wildly obvious, I think Bryce Love is a substantially better back thank Barkley.

Of course, it will all come out in the wash.  Here's their remaining schedules:

Penn State (Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan St, Rutgers, Nebraska, Maryland)

Stanford (Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, C.al, Noter Dame)

[Mick]

Rushing yards per game

Love      198  (#1 nationally)
Barkley  108  (#17)

Rushing yards per attempt

Love      10.3  (#1)
Barkley    6.4  (#26)

Runs of 20+ yards

Love      22  (#1)
Barkley    8  (#12)

The average rushing defense ranking of the two teams is very close on the surface.  The average Rush D rank of Penn State's seven opponents is #61.5 (out of 128 FBS schools).  The average Rush D rank of Stanford's six opponents is #62.3.  Of course, Love has outrushed Barkley by 90 yards per game.  Stanford is #15 in the country in rushing offense at 258.7 ypg and Penn State is #65 at 165.0 ypg, meaning that Stanford has had 93 ypg greater impact on the rushing defenses it faces than penn state.  In other words, if we inflicted Stanford's rush against Penn State's opponents, their average rank wouldn't be 61.5, Penn State's opponents rushing defense average would be about #118.

As for strength of schedule, Stanford's 2017 football schedule is ranked #6 by teamrankings.com.  Penn State's is #22.

If it isn't wildly obvious, I think Bryce Love is a substantially better back thank Barkley.

Of course, it will all come out in the wash.  Here's their remaining schedules:

Penn State (Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan St, Rutgers, Nebraska, Maryland)

Stanford (Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, C.al, Noter Dame)