Defense by the Numbers (Orange Tint)

[GAVol21]

I think we’ve all thought that our defense surely isn’t as bad as everyone thinks. It certainly doesn’t feel that way. While it’s impossible to make a true apples-to-apples comparison. here's a look at the numbers through orange-colored glasses. I think I've confirmed suspicions for myself. We have room for improvement, especially in the Secondary, but we ain’t that bad!

To start, comparing our schedule to some of the other top teams, we have clearly played a stiffer schedule. Not sure if I agree with SOS rankings, but I’ve included one here for reference. (Long-time lurker, 1st thread start. Apologies for formatting.)


You can find the data below at NCAA College Football FBS Stats | NCAA.com. As you look at my sort, keep in mind our schedule and speed/number of Offensive plays.

Total Defense – Looking only by YPG, we don’t look good (#103) and that seems to be everyone’s reference. However, if you cut the data a little different, you find:

• TDs allowed per play - #33
• Defensive plays per game – 77.4! (#127) – Seems like a lot.

Here are a few more cuts. You can obviously make data say what you want.

First Downs/Game Defense - Good and terrible. Rushing, we’re ranked #13. However, Passing, we are last. If you look at 1st Downs per play, we are also in the lower third. No doubt driven by Passing Defense.


Passing Defense – Looking at YPG, we’re 130! However, looking at Yds/Completion, we’re # 55 and TDs/Completion, we’re # 22.


3rd Down Conversion Defense - #28:


4th Down Conversion Defense - #56:


Red Zone Defense – We get stingy in the Red Zone. Percent Scores, we’re # 13, but Red Zone points/Att, we’re #12.


Rushing Defense – We are good. YPG – tied at #8 and at #8 on Rush/Play.


As I said, you can spin data to make most points. I’ve made my spin here. Make your own...

“Here’s the unvarnished truth. Varnish it.”

Executive Summary: WGWTFA

Go Vols

 

[LETTERMAN88]

I don't care if we give up 550 yards a game and 40+ points as long as we WIN!

 

[Adam Sandler]

One thing that’s clear, the defense is improved!!

3rd down and redzone were major concerns before, now it’s a strength. This defense is bound to give up yards over the course of a whole game, but I think they’re doing a fine job given the lack of talent/experience on the perimeter in the secondary.

 

[rdk4121]

The reality of all the stats is we bend but don't break, and that's perfectly fine with our offense. Our Red zone defense being as good as it is, plus our big improvement on third down defense is one of the biggest differences between this year and last year. The more fields goals we force instead of touchdowns allows our offense to trade 3 for 7. The more third down stops we make, the more times our offense gets the ball to go make plays. That's what all of this comes down to.

The other reasonable thing to take away is we give up 5.43 yards per play, which was 60th. That's very middle of the pack, but that's a more accurate portrayal of the quality of the defense than just looking at yards per game, etc. Teams run more plays against us, therefore they were going to put up yards. It's just that simple. The other key point is our scoring defense, which is tied for 50th at 23.14 per game. That's pretty solid, particularly when you're putting up 50.1 per game. The defense has shown improvement this year, but still has plenty of room to improve as well. That's encouraging to me.

 

[VolBricks]

I think we have all come to realize that the defensive philosophy for Banks is bend don't break between the 20's and play tough aggressive defense inside the red zone. Banks has said he does not care what the stat's say the only stat that counts is wins and we have 7 of them.

 

[robby487]

If that is Banks philosophy he's going to cause me to have a heart attack.

 

[ibvolman]

One thing that skews the yards per game is that the offense scores so quickly, time of possession most often favors the opponent.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

The most important stat on defense is scoring defense. We give up on average 23 points per game.

 

[ButchPlz]

The most important stat on defense is scoring defense. We give up on average 23 points per game.

Bingo. Yards don't win games.

 

[WillisWG]

The most important stat on defense is scoring defense. We give up on average 23 points per game.

Agree we're tied for #50 and based on opponent's scoring offense that's an excellent #

 

[sjt18]

It is only a matter of time before statistics catch up to reality. In the absolute sense, UT's opposition will be stouter than UK's. However the more games in we are the "truer" the stats become.

I may be shocked. However I think UT's D will suddenly "look good" this weekend. They will limit Rodriguez and pressure Levis. The DBs minus Burrell will be about as healthy as they've been since before camp started. They like other units have improved. They covered better in the Bama game overshadowed by Young throwing into tight windows... and Bama getting away with a ton of holding that gave receivers more time to work open.

If UT's gameplan is a close approximation of their Bama gameplan then I think the D will come up with a bunch of big plays in this game.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

It is only a matter of time before statistics catch up to reality. In the absolute sense, UT's opposition will be stouter than UK's. However the more games in we are the "truer" the stats become.

I may be shocked. However I think UT's D will suddenly "look good" this weekend. They will limit Rodriguez and pressure Levis. The DBs minus Burrell will be about as healthy as they've been since before camp started. They like other units have improved. They covered better in the Bama game overshadowed by Young throwing into tight windows... and Bama getting away with a ton of holding that gave receivers more time to work open.

If UT's gameplan is a close approximation of their Bama gameplan then I think the D will come up with a bunch of big plays in this game.

UK gives up a lot of sacks too. Combine that with our strong rush D and high scoring offense equals trouble for UK.

 

[GAVol21]

The most important stat on defense is scoring defense. We give up on average 23 points per game.

Yeah. Dont disagree. And only winning matters.. Point here is that its impossible to have direct comparison between defenses and with all things considered. But we aren't as bad as others want to make you believe. Football is clearly a team sport and with our Offense, we can make up for a little deficiency in D. Let's see how the rest of the season goes, but I like our chances.

 

[Volanooga2521]

I think we’ve all thought that our defense surely isn’t as bad as everyone thinks. It certainly doesn’t feel that way. While it’s impossible to make a true apples-to-apples comparison. here's a look at the numbers through orange-colored glasses. I think I've confirmed suspicions for myself. We have room for improvement, especially in the Secondary, but we ain’t that bad!

To start, comparing our schedule to some of the other top teams, we have clearly played a stiffer schedule. Not sure if I agree with SOS rankings, but I’ve included one here for reference. (Long-time lurker, 1st thread start. Apologies for formatting.)
View attachment 507115

You can find the data below at NCAA College Football FBS Stats | NCAA.com. As you look at my sort, keep in mind our schedule and speed/number of Offensive plays.

Total Defense – Looking only by YPG, we don’t look good (#103) and that seems to be everyone’s reference. However, if you cut the data a little different, you find:

• TDs allowed per play - #33
• Defensive plays per game – 77.4! (#127) – Seems like a lot.

View attachment 507117

Here are a few more cuts. You can obviously make data say what you want.

First Downs/Game Defense - Good and terrible. Rushing, we’re ranked #13. However, Passing, we are last. If you look at 1st Downs per play, we are also in the lower third. No doubt driven by Passing Defense.
View attachment 507118

Passing Defense – Looking at YPG, we’re 130! However, looking at Yds/Completion, we’re # 55 and TDs/Completion, we’re # 22.
View attachment 507119

3rd Down Conversion Defense - #28:
View attachment 507120

4th Down Conversion Defense - #56:
View attachment 507121

Red Zone Defense – We get stingy in the Red Zone. Percent Scores, we’re # 13, but Red Zone points/Att, we’re #12.
View attachment 507122

Rushing Defense – We are good. YPG – tied at #8 and at #8 on Rush/Play.
View attachment 507123

As I said, you can spin data to make most points. I’ve made my spin here. Make your own...

“Here’s the unvarnished truth. Varnish it.”

Executive Summary: WGWTFA

Go Vols

So basically, when you adjust for our quick scoring pace and the number of plays that the other team usually runs, we are middle of the pack.

 

[GAVol21]

So basically, when you adjust for our quick scoring pace and the number of plays that the other team usually runs, we are middle of the pack.

Yes. And certainly not last...

 

[Stephen Gray]

Yes. And certainly not last...

Number one on offense and middle of the pack on defense is going to win a lot of games.

 

[Other_Guy]

There's a great breakdown by the main guy at On3 who also pointed out teams are passing 60% of the time.

 

[DD4ME]

I think they are getting the absolute most out of our talent. They are playing to our strengths, and it is yielding results. Say whatever you want, but they have gotten some big stops when they needed, and they make teams uncomfortable. I call it the QB D. The run defense is excellent, and it places all the burden on the QB to connect passes despite constant pressure. Young was excellent at it, but few guys can play like Young.

 

[Stephen Gray]

I think they are getting the absolute most out of our talent. They are playing to our strengths, and it is yielding results. Say whatever you want, but they have gotten some big stops when they needed, and they make teams uncomfortable. I call it the QB D. The run defense is excellent, and it places all the burden on the QB to connect passes despite constant pressure. Young was excellent at it, but few guys can play like Young.

This is one of the things that makes me have hope versus UGA. SB is good, but can he takeover a game to get them back in it if our offense can function like they have all season? I don’t think he can. They are good at moving the ball, elite at it even, but they are not doing it with explosive plays.

Notice I predicated with our offense having to perform as usual. Last year their defense was able to shutdown our offense. Different guys this year though, and it’s not as if we have faced bad defenses. They did demolish Oregon and Oregon is very high in a lot of offensive categories, so that’s what scares me the most.

Of course Oregon plays in a very different conference with very different opponents than we do too, and I haven’t looked at them deeply, so maybe they aren’t as good an offense as they look on paper. I hope that’s true.

 

[dduncan4163]

The most important stat on defense is scoring defense. We give up on average 23 points per game.

And you just nailed it Hoss. Doesn't matter how many yards you give up. Just keep them from scoring and you've done your job.

 

[Vol865]

OSU schedule is trash. Clemson not far behind. Bama played a halfway decent schedule but nothing crazy. UGA played 1 tough game week 1. Admittedly they beat them bad but then struggled with Mizzou

 

[General Jack]

Nice work OP, that took some effort.

 

[KINGSVOL]

#1 offense in scoring, #12 and #13 defense in scoring per attempt scoring percentage allowed = WINS. The number between the 20s don't matter. VOLS BY FIDDY!