TOP Stats (How does this impact defense?)

[Voltorb]

One of the big discussions around the defensive hires has been that the defense will be on the field for such a long time.

I was looking at some numbers from the past couple seasons (haven't came across 2018 UCF yet for some reason). What's here for 2018 UCF is from sports reference, all others from respective school's websites and some math.

Offense/Opponent Offense
Tenn
2018:
ToP: 29:10/30:49
Plays/Game: 59.7/66.6 (total 716/799)
Yards/Game: 325.5/377.4

2019:
ToP: 29:22/30:38
Plays/Game: 63.2/66.8 (total 821/868)
Yards/Game: 365.5/334.5

2020:
ToP: 27:57/32:03
Plays/Game: 66.0/69.9 (total 660/699)
Yards/Game: 346.2/407.4

UCF
2018:
ToP: ??
Plays/Game: 75.8/79.2
Yards/Game: 523.5/435.7

2019:
ToP: 26:07/33:31
Plays/Game: 78.2/75.8 (total 1016/985)
Yards/Game: 540.5/346.1

2020:
ToP: 27:30/32:30
Plays/Game: 85.9/79.4 (total 859/794)
Yards/Game: 568.1/491.8

Take away what you will. Seems that the ToP is not a drastic difference, but I understand those minutes do count. 2019 was the worst split for UCF, but the defense ended up with the least yards/game and yards/play of Heupel's time there. It's never apples to apples considering all the differences in talent and schedule.
2020 is a pretty close comparison. Guessing they could score in about the same amount of time as a 3-and-out takes.
The way it looks, Vols haven't been winning the ToP battle anyway, so why not score some points while we are at it?

 

[Samthebam]

Don’t attempt to insert facts into the discussion.

SUNSHINE PUMPER!!!

 

[sjt18]

One of the big discussions around the defensive hires has been that the defense will be on the field for such a long time.

I was looking at some numbers from the past couple seasons (haven't came across 2018 UCF yet for some reason). What's here for 2018 UCF is from sports reference, all others from respective school's websites and some math.

Offense/Opponent Offense
Tenn
2018:
ToP: 29:10/30:49
Plays/Game: 59.7/66.6 (total 716/799)
Yards/Game: 325.5/377.4

2019:
ToP: 29:22/30:38
Plays/Game: 63.2/66.8 (total 821/868)
Yards/Game: 365.5/334.5

2020:
ToP: 27:57/32:03
Plays/Game: 66.0/69.9 (total 660/699)
Yards/Game: 346.2/407.4

UCF
2018:
ToP: ??
Plays/Game: 75.8/79.2
Yards/Game: 523.5/435.7

2019:
ToP: 26:07/33:31
Plays/Game: 78.2/75.8 (total 1016/985)
Yards/Game: 540.5/346.1

2020:
ToP: 27:30/32:30
Plays/Game: 85.9/79.4 (total 859/794)
Yards/Game: 568.1/491.8

Take away what you will. Seems that the ToP is not a drastic difference, but I understand those minutes do count. 2019 was the worst split for UCF, but the defense ended up with the least yards/game and yards/play of Heupel's time there. It's never apples to apples considering all the differences in talent and schedule.
2020 is a pretty close comparison. Guessing they could score in about the same amount of time as a 3-and-out takes.
The way it looks, Vols haven't been winning the ToP battle anyway, so why not score some points while we are at it?

That's actually a pretty big difference in TOP. I think this year was close to 10 minutes difference.

I'm not saying that's bad. But it is something you have to think about and make sure your D and DC are complementary to what you do on O.

UT is going to need to essentially platoon the front 7 to keep them fresh. Then... though many won't like it... they're going to have to take more risks. The idea would be that for every big play the D gave up they would get 2 or 3 TFL's, sacks, or turnovers. UT will very likely trade giving up big plays for getting more big plays. This isn't going to be Fulmer's old school idea of playing field position.

 

[TnVol!]

Thankfully the current coaching staff will be in charge of these things.

 

[901 Orange]

One of the big discussions around the defensive hires has been that the defense will be on the field for such a long time.

I was looking at some numbers from the past couple seasons (haven't came across 2018 UCF yet for some reason). What's here for 2018 UCF is from sports reference, all others from respective school's websites and some math.

Offense/Opponent Offense
Tenn
2018:
ToP: 29:10/30:49
Plays/Game: 59.7/66.6 (total 716/799)
Yards/Game: 325.5/377.4

2019:
ToP: 29:22/30:38
Plays/Game: 63.2/66.8 (total 821/868)
Yards/Game: 365.5/334.5

2020:
ToP: 27:57/32:03
Plays/Game: 66.0/69.9 (total 660/699)
Yards/Game: 346.2/407.4

UCF
2018:
ToP: ??
Plays/Game: 75.8/79.2
Yards/Game: 523.5/435.7

2019:
ToP: 26:07/33:31
Plays/Game: 78.2/75.8 (total 1016/985)
Yards/Game: 540.5/346.1

2020:
ToP: 27:30/32:30
Plays/Game: 85.9/79.4 (total 859/794)
Yards/Game: 568.1/491.8

Take away what you will. Seems that the ToP is not a drastic difference, but I understand those minutes do count. 2019 was the worst split for UCF, but the defense ended up with the least yards/game and yards/play of Heupel's time there. It's never apples to apples considering all the differences in talent and schedule.
2020 is a pretty close comparison. Guessing they could score in about the same amount of time as a 3-and-out takes.
The way it looks, Vols haven't been winning the ToP battle anyway, so why not score some points while we are at it?

I've been saying this the whole time. Fast paced offenses put just as much strain on a defense as an offense that cant move the ball. Its basically the samething, the only difference is one offense is scoring some points while the other is struggling to even move the ball.

 

[kamoshika]

UCF's TOP average in '18 was 25:25. Their offense averaged almost 21 yards per minute over the past 3 years, or roughly 75% more than ours during the same span.

 

[Voltorb]

I've been saying this the whole time. Fast paced offenses put just as much strain on a defense as an offense that cant move the ball. Its basically the samething, the only difference is one offense is scoring some points while the other is struggling to even move the ball.

Exactly. Also, gotta think it's a little more encouraging to trot back out there on defense after points are scored.

 

[Alto1]

TOP not as important as it used to be.
It would be nice to have an offense that is competent enough to snap the ball within 3 seconds remaining on the play clock when we need to eat up some time though........

 

[redge]

My first thought is... How much of that ToP for UCF came in the last half of the 4th quarter when the game was over & they were just running the clock out?

 

[Southeastern VFL]

Just wondering if Matt Campbell or Luke Fickle or someone like that had the same type of offense with the same stats would it have been as hated as a Josh Heupel hire just trying to figure something out?

 

[901 Orange]

Exactly. Also, gotta think it's a little more encouraging to trot back out there on defense after points are scored.

There is a for sure night and day difference hitting the field after a TD vs 3 & out. Just the emotional part of that means a ton.