Tale of the Tape

[GrayEagle]

In reviewing the offensive, defensive and special teams specific categories we are less than mediocre. Here is a review of those categories:

Offense: Average Ranking 71 Nationally Conference Ranking: 6th

The SBC has some very good offenses, especially when compared to us. Our strengths are sacks allowed and fumbles lost where we are second in the conference in both categories. We are third in time of possession which ranks us 16 nationally. At the other end of the spectrum our scoring offense (PPG) ranks us eighth in the conference and 113 in the nation. We also do poorly on 3rd down conversion percentage (110) and red zone conversion percentage (106). Each of those is the eighth best in the conference also. While we don't allow many sacks we are the worst in the conference for allowing tackles for loss. We are also in the 90s on first downs and passing yards per play. To illustrate how strong the Belt is in rushing our 4.27 average per play is 54th nationally but seventh in the conference.

Defense: Average Ranking 56 Nationally Conference Ranking: 5th

Our defensive statistics took a beating against Houston. We are dead last in the SBC in rushing yards allowed per attempt. However, we rank 78th nationally, not horrid but you'd think that we'd be much worse for being tenth in the conference. Our worst rankings are 88 on third down success allowed and 81 on first downs allowed (which also ranks us 9th in the Sun Belt). We tend to give up the big play too often having given up 79 plays of more than 10 yards in six games. Strangely, our defensive strength is our pass defense. We've lost Warner for the season and Lee, our leading tackler at the time, for almost an entire game, yet are the third best pass defense in the SBC. We also show some strength in sacks (2nd conf) and turnover margin (3rd conf). Both are in the 30s nationally.

Special Teams: Average Ranking 86 Nationally Conference Ranking: 7th

Kickoffs and punting keep us away from being the very worst but punt returns, punt return coverage, and kickoff return coverage are near the poorest in the FBS. Opponent's punting and our field goal percentage are both ranked 102. We do poorly with our kickoff returns and PAT percentage. I believe that we have won the special teams battle only once this year. Riddle had those great special teams at Boise, how can he be doing so poorly here? Even Atterberry's punting is not what it has been.

[tylermeangreen]

In reviewing the offensive, defensive and special teams specific categories we are less than mediocre. Here is a review of those categories:

Offense: Average Ranking 71 Nationally Conference Ranking: 6th

The SBC has some very good offenses, especially when compared to us. Our strengths are sacks allowed and fumbles lost where we are second in the conference in both categories. We are third in time of possession which ranks us 16 nationally. At the other end of the spectrum our scoring offense (PPG) ranks us eighth in the conference and 113 in the nation. We also do poorly on 3rd down conversion percentage (110) and red zone conversion percentage (106). Each of those is the eighth best in the conference also. While we don't allow many sacks we are the worst in the conference for allowing tackles for loss. We are also in the 90s on first downs and passing yards per play. To illustrate how strong the Belt is in rushing our 4.27 average per play is 54th nationally but seventh in the conference.

Defense: Average Ranking 56 Nationally Conference Ranking: 5th

Our defensive statistics took a beating against Houston. We are dead last in the SBC in rushing yards allowed per attempt. However, we rank 78th nationally, not horrid but you'd think that we'd be much worse for being tenth in the conference. Our worst rankings are 88 on third down success allowed and 81 on first downs allowed (which also ranks us 9th in the Sun Belt). We tend to give up the big play too often having given up 79 plays of more than 10 yards in six games. Strangely, our defensive strength is our pass defense. We've lost Warner for the season and Lee, our leading tackler at the time, for almost an entire game, yet are the third best pass defense in the SBC. We also show some strength in sacks (2nd conf) and turnover margin (3rd conf). Both are in the 30s nationally.

Special Teams: Average Ranking 86 Nationally Conference Ranking: 7th

Kickoffs and punting keep us away from being the very worst but punt returns, punt return coverage, and kickoff return coverage are near the poorest in the FBS. Opponent's punting and our field goal percentage are both ranked 102. We do poorly with our kickoff returns and PAT percentage. I believe that we have won the special teams battle only once this year. Riddle had those great special teams at Boise, how can he be doing so poorly here? Even Atterberry's punting is not what it has been.

I notice that at this point you have received a -2........I don't know what in the world there is to minus in your post. It is what it is.

Perhaps those who have minused you will do what they should have done in the first place - explain their reason for their negative review.

[Stan R]

dang, I accidentally gave you a -1 when I meant to give you a +1 - sorry!

[shaft]

I'm not sure special team rankings matter...ever. The rest of the measues are all relative to the competion and only matter at the end of the season. Last year we had no bad losses (losses to teams with losing records. Every team we were head of in the SBC we beat, every team that was ahead of us,beat us.

This season will probably be the same. The team has improved, but so has the competition. So relative measures like these aren't going to tell us much about the team.

[GrayEagle]

I'm not sure special team rankings matter...ever. The rest of the measues are all relative to the competion and only matter at the end of the season. Last year we had no bad losses (losses to teams with losing records. Every team we were head of in the SBC we beat, every team that was ahead of us,beat us.

This season will probably be the same. The team has improved, but so has the competition. So relative measures like these aren't going to tell us much about the team.

If special teams were the only measurement then they probably wouldn't matter. Many coaches believe that you must win two of the three to win games. So, if were dominant in both offense and defense then you should win without worrying about special teams. Yet, when you look at the number of points special teams can produce (both positively and negatively) they are also very important.

I will change the format for the future to indicate whether the categories are improving, decreasing or remaining the same. I realize that not all are of equal value which is why I will list each in the future and each can decide for themselves the importance of each strength and weakness.

Since each team seeks its level of competition I believe that these statistics do tell an important story of strengths and weaknesses as the season progresses. Also, each year is different. We've lost to Troy, a team that we probably should have beaten and could beat one or more teams that we shouldn't.

Edited October 13, 2012 by GrayEagle