Fun with numbers, week four addition

[GoSU96]

As much as it offends some people here is how SU stacks up against the ACC and OOC schedule. What this shows is adding Total Offense and Defense, Scoring Offense and Defense, and then ranking from there. Based on this weeks snapshot 3 very winnable games left to get to 7 and 5 games to measure the season by. Next week is such a house money game, all upside and no downside.

There is a legit chance to be a one loss team going into the last two games of the year against ND and BC. Unreal.

 

[GoSU96]

What's really interesting about the offense is the obvious emphasis on running the ball. Of the top 15 offenses, only SU and Memphis have more rushing yards than passing. SU has 208 rushing attempts vs 126 passing.

SU is 9th in rushing offense with 1112 yds and 12 TD's. Just like Marrone's first three years not being able to run the ball effectively has been a big problem. Establishing the run and the physical mindset that goes with it is going to be very important the rest of the way.

Just to compare this year through four games vs recent history, last year in 12 games they ran for 1938 and 16 TD's, 2016 1435 and 15, 2015 1958 and 15, 2014 1750 and 12.

Because of this intentional emphasis on running the ball I think the offense as a whole still has upside. Really need get 80 more involved along with 82, and Butler and Custis need to be more consistent catching. If the passing offense can really get untracked, watch out.

 

[GoSU96]

With the offense these guys want to play it puts pressure on the defense, there are just more possessions per game. That's why being effective in situational defense is so important. And this year they have been.

Through four games, 2nd in 3rd down defense at 19.8%, having allowed 11 conversions on 56 attempts, 10th in sacks, 2nd in Ints. That's how you play complimentary defense with this offense.

And the offense being as efficient as it has been helps the defense by forcing opponents to keep up or catch up which makes them one dimensional and creates opportunity for the defense to make big plays.

Robinson and Coleman are tied for 10th in sacks and Cisco is 1st in Ints.