Everything always evens out

[bnoro]

When trying to sift through the rubble of this weekend, it's hard not to notice what specifically went wrong.

Our biggest strengths this season, and the main reason we were able to hang in so long against Clemson, was the field position battle. We've had absurd numbers all season on average starting position as well as as opponent starting position. We were also one of the top teams in the country in turnover margin.

The issue with being so great in those two stats is that largely, they tend to even out across a season, and they're unsustainable, especially against teams that take care of the football as well as Notre Dame did.

When you don't get turnover/field position luck, you have to compensate with above average offense or defense. Unfortunately, only the defense showed up, and they were gassed because the offense couldn't stay on the field. It will be interesting to see how we adjust to this moving forward. BC should be a good indication.

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

Is this what it's like rooting for a good football team (i.e., the Patriots)? You can actually sift through a mess all of the noise to actually figure out what went wrong?

 

[Shenexon]

When trying to sift through the rubble of this weekend, it's hard not to notice what specifically went wrong.

Our biggest strengths this season, and the main reason we were able to hang in so long against Clemson, was the field position battle. We've had absurd numbers all season on average starting position as well as as opponent starting position. We were also one of the top teams in the country in turnover margin.

The issue with being so great in those two stats is that largely, they tend to even out across a season, and they're unsustainable, especially against teams that take care of the football as well as Notre Dame did.

When you don't get turnover/field position luck, you have to compensate with above average offense or defense. Unfortunately, only the defense showed up, and they were gassed because the offense couldn't stay on the field. It will be interesting to see how we adjust to this moving forward. BC should be a good indication.

Always appreciate your perspective. I for one am very pleased to be 8-3. ND is a good team that took our strengths away. On to BC and a bowl. I like our chances against BC, but we'll see how that goes pretty soon. ND was one game and it's over. Rubble makes a pretty good road base...

 

[SU in Hershey]

Always appreciate your perspective. I for one am very pleased to be 8-3. ND is a good team that took our strengths away. On to BC and a bowl. I like our chances against BC, but we'll see how that goes pretty soon. ND was one game and it's over. Rubble makes a pretty good road base...

 

[Jake]

When trying to sift through the rubble of this weekend, it's hard not to notice what specifically went wrong.

Our biggest strengths this season, and the main reason we were able to hang in so long against Clemson, was the field position battle. We've had absurd numbers all season on average starting position as well as as opponent starting position. We were also one of the top teams in the country in turnover margin.

The issue with being so great in those two stats is that largely, they tend to even out across a season, and they're unsustainable, especially against teams that take care of the football as well as Notre Dame did.

When you don't get turnover/field position luck, you have to compensate with above average offense or defense. Unfortunately, only the defense showed up, and they were gassed because the offense couldn't stay on the field. It will be interesting to see how we adjust to this moving forward. BC should be a good indication.

Yep. Those statistics also hid the inefficiencies of our offense this year.

 

[djorange1989]

Yep. Those statistics also hid the inefficiencies of our offense this year.

yep, if/when we can start being efficient in the red zone, the offense will be scary, and that's even if we don't have the field position advantage that we have had this year.

 

[bnoro]

Always appreciate your perspective. I for one am very pleased to be 8-3. ND is a good team that took our strengths away. On to BC and a bowl. I like our chances against BC, but we'll see how that goes pretty soon. ND was one game and it's over. Rubble makes a pretty good road base...

I said 7-5 before the season, and after Louisville, was thinking 9-3 was best case scenario. So while I'm not happy with the performance Saturday, I'm still over the moon with the team this year and excited to see what's to come.

A 10-3 finish would be incredible. I hope we get that opportunity for these seniors.

 

[GoSU96]

Yep. Those statistics also hid the inefficiencies of our offense this year.

Don’t know if hid is the right word

 

[GoSU96]

When trying to sift through the rubble of this weekend, it's hard not to notice what specifically went wrong.

Our biggest strengths this season, and the main reason we were able to hang in so long against Clemson, was the field position battle. We've had absurd numbers all season on average starting position as well as as opponent starting position. We were also one of the top teams in the country in turnover margin.

The issue with being so great in those two stats is that largely, they tend to even out across a season, and they're unsustainable, especially against teams that take care of the football as well as Notre Dame did.

When you don't get turnover/field position luck, you have to compensate with above average offense or defense. Unfortunately, only the defense showed up, and they were gassed because the offense couldn't stay on the field. It will be interesting to see how we adjust to this moving forward. BC should be a good indication.

They have a specific formula. When it repeats game after game I wouldn’t call it luck.

Not turning it over is a big part.

 

[bnoro]

They have a specific formula. When it repeats game after game I wouldn’t call it luck.

Not turning it over is a big part.

most football statisticians consider turnovers a luck statistic. while we've forced our fair amount this year, you can't deny we've had really good luck here. Overthrows, bad pull outs on read options, etc. The formula is good but heavily relies on things you can't guarantee.

I thought this CHART was interesting. We lead the country in possessions per game but are leaving a TON of points on the table. Our offense has been average this season all things considered.

 

[Orangezoo]

most football statisticians consider turnovers a luck statistic. while we've forced our fair amount this year, you can't deny we've had really good luck here. Overthrows, bad pull outs on read options, etc. The formula is good but heavily relies on things you can't guarantee.

I thought this CHART was interesting. We lead the country in possessions per game but are leaving a TON of points on the table. Our offense has been average this season all things considered.

Exactly. With the offense running closer to 90 pct, we would have been in the high 50s and low 60s point wise a lot more often given the fp and TO figures.

 

[GoSU96]

most football statisticians consider turnovers a luck statistic. while we've forced our fair amount this year, you can't deny we've had really good luck here. Overthrows, bad pull outs on read options, etc. The formula is good but heavily relies on things you can't guarantee.

I thought this CHART was interesting. We lead the country in possessions per game but are leaving a TON of points on the table. Our offense has been average this season all things considered.

Yep. But you can’t discount that you can make your own luck. I’ve been saying it all year they still don’t have the talent to win in the close red zone head to head

They gave been great at generating opportunities which had made up for talent

 

[Chip]

Yep. But you can’t discount that you can make your own luck. I’ve been saying it all year they still don’t have the talent to win in the close red zone head to head

They gave been great at generating opportunities which had made up for talent

Great opponent notwithstanding, we've been a better team all year than the one who played Saturday. Only game where we played that poorly was UNC, for whatever reason.

I just think Saturday was a snowball effect. Dungey going down, and then DeVito's first throw being so close to a TD. I think it just took a lot out of everyone. We never recovered on offense.

I think it's going to be really interesting to see how we bounce back this week.

 

[GoSU96]

Great opponent notwithstanding, we've been a better team all year than the one who played Saturday. Only game where we played that poorly was UNC, for whatever reason.

I just think Saturday was a snowball effect. Dungey going down, and then DeVito's first throw being so close to a TD. I think it just took a lot out of everyone. We never recovered on offense.

I think it's going to be really interesting to see how we bounce back this week.

Don’t disagree with that. They have played complimentary football at a high level. Not great at anyone aspect but what they have done well has resonated with each other to great effect. Knowing how to glue it together is the sign of great coaching.

 

[upperdeck]

we had multiple INTS vs ND.. one was a bad read, one was a nice play by the safety. one was a gift. 2 of them led to ND easy pts.

we didnt kick all that well either.. almost missed both FGs and punting was just ok.