Oh, by the way Chuck B better be on the clock

[Upstate]

Isn't that overstated? Much harder? Severe losses?

Defensively, I would say that, even though the losses were minimal in number, the talent lost was huge. And you can't compare a front-loaded schedule to the entirety of last season. There are 6 winnable games upcoming and will give a more accurate sample to compare to last season.

 

[SmilinBob]

They do need to fix that 3rd down stat. I wonder how many of those we give up by blitzing and the opponent running into an unoccupied gap. Seemed like that happened against Louisville quite a bit.

Other than that, this D plays all out, which more often than not works out as long as you mix up your blitzes enough. Focus on the O. We're not getting caught up in any of those 42-60 point shootouts that others are experiencing.

How many times does DCCB call for the fake blitz drop back to cover that gap? Be nice to keep those qb's guessing and throwing to our LB/DE once in a while.

 

[Millhouse]

They do need to fix that 3rd down stat. I wonder how many of those we give up by blitzing and the opponent running into an unoccupied gap. Seemed like that happened against Louisville quite a bit.

Other than that, this D plays all out, which more often than not works out as long as you mix up your blitzes enough. Focus on the O. We're not getting caught up in any of those 42-60 point shootouts that others are experiencing.

Maybe there's a trade off between third down conversions and big plays. Syracuse is 41st in 40+ yard plays given up. The fewer big plays you give up the more likely the offense makes a drive killing blunder

that's whats so frustrating about the mcdonald offense. they got big plays but still managed to have a lot of drive killing mistakes.

maybe they bet on other teams being inefficient.

2012 here was interesting, much more efficient than explosive. but maybe that's why they didn't score as much as you'd expect from yards.

 

[GoSU96]

Why didn't you include opponent's time of possession, hard not to figure in that we have been on the field probably 3-4 more posessions and an average of 8 more minutes per game than last year.

Pretty significant, don't you think? Hard for numbers not to be worse when the offense is inept and hangs you out to dry.

Coach Bullough should not in any way be on the clock.

FSU ToP 36:27
Louisville 36:58
ND 33:17
Nova 37:48

CMU - WIN - we had the ball 3 min longer

MD we had the ball longer - Can't believe we lost that game, makes no sense from a statistics perspective

How about getting off the field on 3rd down. The defense has some input on that.

 

[Orangebrova]

What about Fred Reed? He's a huge step down from what we had before in Donnie Henderson. Our secondary is one of the weak links on the defense and I've yet to hear anyone question if he should be on the hot seat.

I rarely post on here and try to keep it positive when I do. I just think Henderson was extremely more knowledgeable and wonder how much of his kind of leadership we're missing back there.

 

[Millhouse]

How about getting off the field on 3rd down. The defense has some input on that.

we were 13th last year and 114th this year

34th in yards per game last year, 63rd this year

3rd down % matters but I don't think it matters as much as you do

number should get more normal as the year goes on. ND and FSU had 16 out of 25 64%. yuck. Villanova was just as bad though. Pessimism and optimism depend on how much you think that game predicts.

31% against CMU, MD and Lou

 

[GoSU96]

we were 13th last year and 114th this year

34th in yards per game last year, 63rd this year

3rd down % matters but I don't think it matters as much as you do

number should get more normal as the year goes on. ND and FSU had 16 out of 25 64%. yuck. Villanova was just as bad though. Pessimism and optimism depend on how much you think that game predicts.

31% against CMU, MD and Lou

I think it matters a lot based on the way Shafer wants to play defense.

 

[Chip]

I think it matters a lot based on the way Shafer wants to play defense.

But the numbers should normalize a bit, especially this weekend. We've faced the two best offenses and two best QBs we will face all year.

If they don't normalize, then yeah... but I think we need a bigger sample size at this point.

 

[Millhouse]

I think it matters a lot based on the way Shafer wants to play defense.

some of their situational stats are weird

http://www.cfbstats.com/2014/team/688/passing/defense/situational.html
http://www.cfbstats.com/2014/team/688/rushing/defense/situational.html

teams have a 163 rating on first down, a 181 rating on second and a 104 rating on 3rd down

but on 3rd and 4-6 yards to go, teams have a 147 rating. 11 out of 17 conversions. every other distance, the rating is great for us

on 3rd and 4-6 yards to go, they have converted on 6 out of 8 runs

run defense stinks on 3rd and 3 or less too.

it's very weird that pass defense is better on 3rd and 3 or less than 3rd and 4-6

if turnovers are luck, then the defense might suck.

maybe they're loading up the box, daring teams to throw, which makes our secondary look bad because they can't stop the run.

 

[GoSU96]

some of their situational stats are weird

http://www.cfbstats.com/2014/team/688/passing/defense/situational.html
http://www.cfbstats.com/2014/team/688/rushing/defense/situational.html

teams have a 163 rating on first down, a 181 rating on second and a 104 rating on 3rd down

but on 3rd and 4-6 yards to go, teams have a 147 rating. 11 out of 17 conversions. every other distance, the rating is great for us

on 3rd and 4-6 yards to go, they have converted on 6 out of 8 runs

run defense stinks on 3rd and 3 or less too.

it's very weird that pass defense is better on 3rd and 3 or less than 3rd and 4-6

if turnovers are luck, then the defense might suck.

maybe they're loading up the box, daring teams to throw, which makes our secondary look bad because they can't stop the run.

Lville ran a bunch on 3rd and medium, ran right pass the all out blitz.

 

[Millhouse]

Lville ran a bunch on 3rd and medium, ran right pass the all out blitz.

last year teams were 1 for 12 rushing for first downs on 3rd and 4-6

some of this stuff gets random when you dice it up too much, it's not that many plays

 

[PhatOrange]

I thought the interior DLine would be a weakness this year. Hasn’t been as bad as I thought but not great, combined with a rookie MLB has made for a porous run D. The other thing hurting the statistics are all the missed tackles – from every position.

That said, I don’t care who coaches our defense as long as it always stays attacking and blitz heavy. Pressure defense works in college because QB’s can’t make decisions quick enough and stay accurate. Blockers aren’t as good and overwhelming is better than sitting back and letting everybody get comfortable.

We’ve seen the blueprint now for beating our pressure d. Both FSU and ND attacked it by throwing east/west - bubble screens and tunnel screens. We refused to come out of it against ND but agasint FSU we seemed to go cover it earlier – limiting our LB blitzes. It’ll be interesting to see what the other teams do going forward. Our DB’s need to get off blocks and tackle and we maybe should roll a safety over there. Who cares about 20 straight completions if they’re only getting a couple of yards a pop. Stick with the pressure.

 

[Crusty]

This pretty much sums up every college football team in the modern era, with the exception of a few elites.

And for SU this year, that # we need to score is only 24, to flip our record to 4-2. As long as our offense isn't scoring points for the other team.

I always use 30+ becasue that is the minimum number to begin to be thinking about the top 25.

 

[Crusty]

What about Fred Reed? He's a huge step down from what we had before in Donnie Henderson. Our secondary is one of the weak links on the defense and I've yet to hear anyone question if he should be on the hot seat.

I rarely post on here and try to keep it positive when I do. I just think Henderson was extremely more knowledgeable and wonder how much of his kind of leadership we're missing back there.

Actually Reed has been mentioned a number of times, including last year. Some think it is talent but I am not so sure it is not scheme and coaching.

 

[Crusty]

I thought the interior DLine would be a weakness this year. Hasn’t been as bad as I thought but not great, combined with a rookie MLB has made for a porous run D. The other thing hurting the statistics are all the missed tackles – from every position.

That said, I don’t care who coaches our defense as long as it always stays attacking and blitz heavy. Pressure defense works in college because QB’s can’t make decisions quick enough and stay accurate. Blockers aren’t as good and overwhelming is better than sitting back and letting everybody get comfortable.

We’ve seen the blueprint now for beating our pressure d. Both FSU and ND attacked it by throwing east/west - bubble screens and tunnel screens. We refused to come out of it against ND but agasint FSU we seemed to go cover it earlier – limiting our LB blitzes. It’ll be interesting to see what the other teams do going forward. Our DB’s need to get off blocks and tackle and we maybe should roll a safety over there. Who cares about 20 straight completions if they’re only getting a couple of yards a pop. Stick with the pressure.

True enough except when those 20+ completions are a substitution for the running game and get 3+ on every one it's a recipe for losing.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I don't much worry about defense anymore, the D is fine considering the talent that we have available at Syracuse, keep the aggressive scheme and we will have some good games, some not so good when defending really good offenses. I don't see a lot of good defense anymore in college football. Score points and we will win more games than lose. Bullough is good enough, not great but I like his scheme. I certainly don't think Bullough should be replaced or even mentioned in that category, get the Bills DB coach back if he is looking for a job next year, liked that guy.

3rd down is definitely a concern but that can be fixed because it wasn't an issue last year

 

[RF2044]

I thought the interior DLine would be a weakness this year. Hasn’t been as bad as I thought but not great, combined with a rookie MLB has made for a porous run D. The other thing hurting the statistics are all the missed tackles – from every position.

That said, I don’t care who coaches our defense as long as it always stays attacking and blitz heavy. Pressure defense works in college because QB’s can’t make decisions quick enough and stay accurate. Blockers aren’t as good and overwhelming is better than sitting back and letting everybody get comfortable.

We’ve seen the blueprint now for beating our pressure d. Both FSU and ND attacked it by throwing east/west - bubble screens and tunnel screens. We refused to come out of it against ND but agasint FSU we seemed to go cover it earlier – limiting our LB blitzes. It’ll be interesting to see what the other teams do going forward. Our DB’s need to get off blocks and tackle and we maybe should roll a safety over there. Who cares about 20 straight completions if they’re only getting a couple of yards a pop. Stick with the pressure.

The interior D-Line issues have been personnel related. Crume has put together a solid year--exactly what we needed from him. I was optimistic that Coleman would prove to be serviceable as Crume's sidekick--not a world beater, but solid--but he didn't step up. Wayne Williams went from being green to starting to garner more run, and Raymon's return means that the interior might go from being a bit shaky to very stout before long.

 

[Millhouse]

I don't much worry about defense anymore, the D is fine considering the talent that we have available at Syracuse, keep the aggressive scheme and we will have some good games, some not so good when defending really good offenses. I don't see a lot of good defense anymore in college football. Score points and we will win more games than lose. Bullough is good enough, not great but I like his scheme. I certainly don't think Bullough should be replaced or even mentioned in that category, get the Bills DB coach back if he is looking for a job next year, liked that guy.

3rd down is definitely a concern but that can be fixed because it wasn't an issue last year

i screwed up my post earlier in the thread, did it too fast.

new theory. bad teams get slaughtered every year on defense but can sometimes do ok in garbage time on offense. i think defense is less consistent in the middle though. great teams and crappy teams are always good or bad. the teams in the middle are more volatile on defense. i don't have proof of this thoguh

 

[anglerman]

How about getting off the field on 3rd down. The defense has some input on that.

The defense has been damn good this year. They aren't the problem and the coordinator shouldn't be on notice. The past 3 opponents are like a combined 16-2 with two undefeated and in the top 5 the 3rd is the highest ranked defense in the country. I can't remember many stretches of games tougher than the past 3. So I think you will get distorted numbers. I'm certain going forward that that all the statistical numbers on both sides of the ball will improve.

 

[Millhouse]

Lville ran a bunch on 3rd and medium, ran right pass the all out blitz.

did this quick eyeballing the box score, could be wrong. left off sacks

louisville against the run
Down Att Yds YPA
1 23 98 4.26
2 15 49 3.27
3 6 53 8.83
Grand Total 44 200 4.55

 

[PhatOrange]

True enough except when those 20+ completions are a substitution for the running game and get 3+ on every one it's a recipe for losing.

except at the end of the day that really didnt hurt us.

 

[storange]

2 dropped ints vs FSU. Big moments since they scored on those drives.

 

[Crusty]

The defense has been damn good this year. They aren't the problem and the coordinator shouldn't be on notice. The past 3 opponents are like a combined 16-2 with two undefeated and in the top 5 the 3rd is the highest ranked defense in the country. I can't remember many stretches of games tougher than the past 3. So I think you will get distorted numbers. I'm certain going forward that that all the statistical numbers on both sides of the ball will improve.

That is certainly the other side of the argument. Quite honestly, I don't know which side is correct - but we're going to find out soon enough.

 

[CuseOnly]

How about getting off the field on 3rd down. The defense has some input on that.

What about third down when the offense gets 5-7 yards on first and second down or scores on big plays before they ever get a third down? I would be much more alarmed if there weren't more third downs.

Third down percentage IMO is over-rated. Getting to third down shows you are slowing/stopping them on first and second and that os a good thing.

 

[anomander]

Our D is designed to stuff the run and pressure the QB. We do both decently. We just get torched once the ball makes it in to the air.:noidea:

Lesser teams aren't as good at passing, which is why I think when we play teams with average or below talent our D rocks them. Elite teams that can throw the ball don't find much resistance from our defense, especially if we're not knocking down the QB.

I was going to say something similar. You can be almost certain we will beat up on run-oriented offenses with an immobile qb, but will struggle big time against good dual threats with any hint of talent on the outside. It's frustrating because it's so inconsistent. This years defense has been a bit of a disappointment imo. We aren't nearly as good up the middle. As good as Crume is he isn't close to Bromley, and Hodge has been a huge step down from Spruill. Not to mention Eskridge has been a huge disappointment.

I would like to see how Bullough does next year with his style. We should be far more athletic. imo it will be a significant upgrade at DE with Thompson and Johnson starting. We lose Crume, but return every other DT, plus the 2 red shirt Freshman. At LB Hodge has been a huge disappointment. He isn't nearly as quick as I thought he was, and he get swallowed up too often on interior runs. I have loved what I have seen from Franklin at the MIKE. I hope he gets a serious look. It's also looking like Thomas and Bennett will be starting at WILL and SAM. That's another upgraded in terms of athleticism. We lose Reddish who has been great this year, as well as most likely Eskridge and Kelly. Just as long as we are able to find suitable replacements for the secondary we should have a much more athletic defense in 2015, something that seems like it would have a positive impact on Bullough's defense.