The site linked lists some facts, but leaves out others. It lists opponents overall records and shows NU with opponents performing better at 0.523 vs. 0.518. But, the site does not include the fact NU’s opponents played more non Div 1-A teams. Taking into account only 1-A games (Iowa State lost to a lower level team), the records ibecome:
NU opp. 0.510 (73-70-3)
PSU 0opp. .514 (69-65-4)
The site does not mention the opponents’ opponents records for each team:
NU’s opp. Opp. 0.537 (892-767-39)
PSU’s opp. Opp. 0.557 (863-681-52)
So, PSU’s opponents had slightly more success against better competition.
With the bowl stats, while NU had more bowl opponents:
NU’s opponents in bowls went 1-4 with bad losses by KSU and OU.
PSU ‘s opponents went 3-1, with tOSU losing to 1-loss Bama being the L.
It lists close games and insinuates PSU had 3 while NU had 1. It fails to mention that in the 4th quarter NU led ISU 14-12 and OU 6-3. PSU no doubt had close games with Michigan and Illinois (actually trailed 21-0), but in no way was the Indiana game ever in doub.
Btw, to try and give a response to many other posts in this thread, PSU’s defense had many injuries throughout the year (a few season ending). Unllike NU’s QB woes, those didn’t get publicized, and obviously are remembered by few.
FYI, the average halftime score of a PSU game was 28-9. There were quite a few games where the games were essentially over, and garbage time yards were accumulated. Finishing 30th in scoring defense considering the competitiveness and injuries isn’t bad at all.
As for the Rose Bowl, It was competitive for awhile, the outcome wasn’t in doubt at the end of the 3rd quarter, and Oregon scored last to lose by 18. If one chooses to describe that as close, so be it.
That said, none of it is proof PSU or NU was better than the other, and I won’t try and convince anyone about a theoretical outcome of a never was match-up. Just trying to provide information to those that may not know otherwise.