Carroll v. Paterno
In Pete Carroll's eight years at USC, he's lost just one game by more than 11 points. In Joe Paterno's first eight seasons, 1966 to 1973, Penn State lost 8 games by more than than 11 points. From 2001 to 2008, the Nittany Lions lost 12 such games.
Actually, Pete's never lost a game at USC by more than 11 points. He lost once, by 11, to Notre Dame. All other losses were by 7 or less.
And that 11 point loss was in Pete's first year.
And I believe it was a 17-16 game with under 4 minutes to play when ND got a field goal, recovered a fumble, and scored a TD on a short drive. It would be interesting to see this same statistic on all 119 D1 teams the past 8 years. Is anyone even close?