Defensive Statistical Improvement

#1
LittleVol

LittleVol

Of course I can help you, Coach Heupel.
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#1
The Vols ended 2018 with 77th ranked defense.

2019 they finished 23rd in Total Defense.
29th in Scoring Defense.

In Derrick Anselys first season as DC he created a Top 25 tier defense.

We lose Taylor, Bituli, and Warrior.
But the coaching duo of Ansley and Pruitt is the key to our defense imo.

With the added talent at every level I think we make the jump to Top 15 defense next season. We haven't been that since 2007...

2007! Eric Berry's freshman season and the last time we were in the SEC Title game.

It is now year 3 under Pruitt and there is talent and experience at every level of defense. I think we'll be the defense BEST in the SEC in 2020. Oklahoma will set the tone.

CHANGE MY MIND
 
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#3
#3
LittleVol said:
The Vols ended 2018 with 77th ranked defense.

2019 they finished 23rd in Total Defense.
29th in Scoring Defense.

In Derrick Anselys first season as DC he created a Top 25 tier defense.

We lose Taylor, Bituli, and Warrior.
But the coaching duo of Ansley and Pruitt is the key to our defense imo.

With the added talent at every level I think we make the jump to Top 15 defense next season. We haven't been that since 2007...

2007! Eric Berry's freshman season and the last time we were in the SEC Title game.

It is now year 3 under Pruitt and there is talent and experience at every level of defense. I think we'll be the defense BEST in the SEC in 2020. Oklahoma will set the tone.

CHANGE MY MIND
Click to expand...
Top 15???? More like top 10.
 
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#8
#8
I would be interested to see how they would rank if you took out all the games prior to Mississippi State. That's when everything clicked for them and I think they were at least top 15 quality the rest of the way. It's also the first time in ages we've seen the defense physically hold up against Alabama.
 
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#9
#9
BigOrangeAl 1979 said:
Can we slow down Oklahoma early in the season with this retooled defense ?
Click to expand...
Retooled?

This defense will be better top to bottom. Because we return 8 starters in additon to guys like Burrell, Bennett, Harrison, T Jackson, Flowers who have started or played. Throw in difference makers like Keyshawn Lawrence and Morven Joseph ...

I absolutely think we stop OU.
 
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#11
#11
utvols83 said:
I would be interested to see how they would rank if you took out all the games prior to Mississippi State. That's when everything clicked for them and I think they were at least top 15 quality the rest of the way. It's also the first time in ages we've seen the defense physically hold up against Alabama.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Bama won that game, but it started the process to knock them out of contention.
If JG doesn't try a QB sneak from 3 yards away and fumble. If he instead follows the pulling guard. The game would have then been 27-20. With a whole quarter left.

After Bryce and Bituli got back into the swing of things our defense became formidable.
Indiana only scored 15 on us in the Bowl Game. Our offense gave then 7 more.
 
#12
#12
LittleVol said:
The Vols ended 2018 with 77th ranked defense.

2019 they finished 23rd in Total Defense.
29th in Scoring Defense.

In Derrick Anselys first season as DC he created a Top 25 tier defense.

We lose Taylor, Bituli, and Warrior.
But the coaching duo of Ansley and Pruitt is the key to our defense imo.

With the added talent at every level I think we make the jump to Top 15 defense next season. We haven't been that since 2007...

2007! Eric Berry's freshman season and the last time we were in the SEC Title game.

It is now year 3 under Pruitt and there is talent and experience at every level of defense. I think we'll be the defense BEST in the SEC in 2020. Oklahoma will set the tone.

CHANGE MY MIND
Click to expand...
Your stats are correct.
You failed to mention the following:
UGA #3
UF #7
MZ #14
AL #20
UK #21
UT #23
AUB #28
TAM #29
LSU #31
SC #66
VAN #101
ARK#110
OU#38

These are what I call "raw" stats that don't take into account SOS, returning starters, star players lost, etc. But future looks bright.
 
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#13
#13
LittleVol said:
The Vols ended 2018 with 77th ranked defense.

2019 they finished 23rd in Total Defense.
29th in Scoring Defense.

In Derrick Anselys first season as DC he created a Top 25 tier defense.

We lose Taylor, Bituli, and Warrior.
But the coaching duo of Ansley and Pruitt is the key to our defense imo.

With the added talent at every level I think we make the jump to Top 15 defense next season. We haven't been that since 2007...

2007! Eric Berry's freshman season and the last time we were in the SEC Title game.

It is now year 3 under Pruitt and there is talent and experience at every level of defense. I think we'll be the defense BEST in the SEC in 2020. Oklahoma will set the tone.

CHANGE MY MIND
Click to expand...
If we’re the best defense in the SEC we’ll be much better than a top 15 defense. More like top 5 or better. The fact that we can discuss this and not be considered lunatics is beautiful.
 
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#14
#14
Bennessee01 said:
Your stats are correct.
You failed to mention the following:
UGA #3
UF #7
MZ #14
AL #20
UK #21
UT #23
AUB #28
TAM #29
LSU #31
SC #66
VAN #101
ARK#110
OU#38

These are what I call "raw" stats that don't take into account SOS, returning starters, star players lost, etc. But future looks bright.
Click to expand...

Ive already mentioned we have 8 returning starters in addition to guys like Burrell, Jackson, Bennett, Flowers who have started.

You haven't changed my mind.

Pruitt in year 3 will field the best defense he's had since being at UT.

Who in the SEC will be better?




Bo Pelini is back at LSU.
Grantham is very good at UF.
 
#15
#15
Best in the SEC seems a bit unrealistic, especially considering we lose the 3 guys who just had the best seasons for that #23 defense. I say that while still believing the D will take another step and be very good, esp on DL. I think Bennett will be a good pass rusher, but we have a lot of work to do at LB. Got very lucky Bituli and Henry stayed healthy all year. DBs should improve overall but Warrior’s leadership will be missed. Young talent at S but really need two guys to step up.
 
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#17
#17
LittleVol said:
Ive already mentioned we have 8 returning starters in addition to guys like Burrell, Jackson, Bennett, Flowers who have started.

You haven't changed my mind.

Pruitt in year 3 will field the best defense he's had since being at UT.

Who in the SEC will be better?




Bo Pelini is back at LSU.
Grantham is very good at UF.
Click to expand...


I think the Vols defense will be improved, and Top 15 nationally is certainly a reachable goal. I'm hoping Top 10 nationally. But, UGA projects as very formidable on defense again. Not much attrition for UGA on defense, including a couple of their top guys who decided to stay in school vs. declare for the draft. So, top 10 in the country and top 2-3 in the SEC is more realistic.
 
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#18
#18
VolsSince78 said:
I think the Vols defense will be improved, and Top 15 nationally is certainly a reachable goal. I'm hoping Top 10 nationally. But, UGA projects as very formidable on defense again. Not much attrition for UGA on defense, including a couple of their top guys who decided to stay in school vs. declare for the draft. So, top 10 in the country and top 2-3 in the SEC is more realistic.
Click to expand...

Auburn did a good job against LSU.
UGA did as well even though LSU was hitting it's stride. This is relatively speaking. Burrow still put up 400 total yards against both.

With that said. Our defense the last 8 games was just as good as UGA's imo

UGA didn't play Bama, but LSU. And when they did (LSU) they got ripped up. Bama did not really destroy Tennessee offensively.
No one did after Bituli and Thompson got their legs under them.
UT defense vs Bama ( 343 yds 4 Tds)
UGA defense vs LSU ( 481 yards 4 tds)

Like @The Other Guy said, "Imagine if we had a competent offense?"
 
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#19
#19
Billy Ratliff said:
Best in the SEC seems a bit unrealistic, especially considering we lose the 3 guys who just had the best seasons for that #23 defense. I say that while still believing the D will take another step and be very good, esp on DL. I think Bennett will be a good pass rusher, but we have a lot of work to do at LB. Got very lucky Bituli and Henry stayed healthy all year. DBs should improve overall but Warrior’s leadership will be missed. Young talent at S but really need two guys to step up.
Click to expand...

The growth of our formidable and deep DL
Henry To'oto'o is an All-SEC type LB waiting to happen. Hell be flanked by Bennett and Crouch and probably Harrison- who had 2 sacks last two games of the season
Thompson and Taylor are vets. Shamburger too. McCullough is returning starter as a true sophomore. Thompson is one of the best CB in the country.

Yeah, we will need someone to emerge opposite of McCullough. I really like Taylor getting put there at FS ( played there in High School) and letting George, Burrell, and Lawrence battle for that other spot at CB.

All of these reasons I believe we will either be the best or at least in the conversation as best defense in the SEC. Our D-line is the deepest in the country...
 
#21
#21
LittleVol said:
The Vols ended 2018 with 77th ranked defense.

2019 they finished 23rd in Total Defense.
29th in Scoring Defense.

In Derrick Anselys first season as DC he created a Top 25 tier defense.

We lose Taylor, Bituli, and Warrior.
But the coaching duo of Ansley and Pruitt is the key to our defense imo.

With the added talent at every level I think we make the jump to Top 15 defense next season. We haven't been that since 2007...

2007! Eric Berry's freshman season and the last time we were in the SEC Title game.

It is now year 3 under Pruitt and there is talent and experience at every level of defense. I think we'll be the defense BEST in the SEC in 2020. Oklahoma will set the tone.

CHANGE MY MIND
Click to expand...
Best defense in the SEC?... Really? Not being a homer but the Dawgs defense was absolutely nasty last season and returns 10 starters from that same unit that was #1 in the SEC.. Florida's defense will also likely be better.. And that's just in the east
 
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#22
#22
LittleVol said:
The Vols ended 2018 with 77th ranked defense.

2019 they finished 23rd in Total Defense.
29th in Scoring Defense.

In Derrick Anselys first season as DC he created a Top 25 tier defense.

We lose Taylor, Bituli, and Warrior.
But the coaching duo of Ansley and Pruitt is the key to our defense imo.

With the added talent at every level I think we make the jump to Top 15 defense next season. We haven't been that since 2007...

2007! Eric Berry's freshman season and the last time we were in the SEC Title game.

It is now year 3 under Pruitt and there is talent and experience at every level of defense. I think we'll be the defense BEST in the SEC in 2020. Oklahoma will set the tone.

CHANGE MY MIND
Click to expand...
I love it. I honestly believe we will have a top 10 defense. Idk if we will be #1 in the SEC considering uga will be pretty stout as well but we definitely should be in the top teir of the league as far as defense. I base that train of thought off of us being so young the last couple yrs. These guys wil be soph,& Juniors now instead of freshman and sophomores. The natural development that takes place during this time is what gets me so excited. Henry T is the superatar and he is surrounded by big , fast, angry dudes. GBFO🍊🍊🍊
 
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#23
#23
LittleVol said:
The growth of our formidable and deep DL
Henry To'oto'o is an All-SEC type LB waiting to happen. Hell be flanked by Bennett and Crouch and probably Harrison- who had 2 sacks last two games of the season
Thompson and Taylor are vets. Shamburger too. McCullough is returning starter as a true sophomore. Thompson is one of the best CB in the country.

Yeah, we will need someone to emerge opposite of McCullough. I really like Taylor getting put there at FS ( played there in High School) and letting George, Burrell, and Lawrence battle for that other spot at CB.

All of these reasons I believe we will either be the best or at least in the conversation as best defense in the SEC. Our D-line is the deepest in the country...
Click to expand...

My reactions are still set to instantly reply to this with laughing emojis and some snarky comment. It's hard to believe that Pruitt has made this actual legitimate talk. Still have to pinch myself.

Nobody has mentioned the return of Emmitt Golden next season. Our DL is going to be sick! Plus, I think Q Couch is going to explode next year and be the mind blowing LB that he is capable of. I think he and HT will anchor the interior and he will be fully locked in to his role and understanding. If he's able to release his athleticism without thinking then watch out!
 
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#24
#24
LittleVol said:
The growth of our formidable and deep DL
Henry To'oto'o is an All-SEC type LB waiting to happen. Hell be flanked by Bennett and Crouch and probably Harrison- who had 2 sacks last two games of the season
Thompson and Taylor are vets. Shamburger too. McCullough is returning starter as a true sophomore. Thompson is one of the best CB in the country.

Yeah, we will need someone to emerge opposite of McCullough. I really like Taylor getting put there at FS ( played there in High School) and letting George, Burrell, and Lawrence battle for that other spot at CB.

All of these reasons I believe we will either be the best or at least in the conversation as best defense in the SEC. Our D-line is the deepest in the country...
Click to expand...
Maybe deepest in the country with pretty good players. Remember the guy coming off a knee injury is still expected to be the best one. Yes we have some nice pieces and Henry T will be very good. But projecting stuff that may happen vs a D like uga bringing so much talent back....”best in the SEC” is a big time homerism. But the D will be very good and so will the OL. Bodes well for an increased win total IMO.
 
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