Started By
Message
Alabama's Defensive Decline by the Numbers
Posted on 2/7/15 at 9:58 am
Posted on 2/7/15 at 9:58 am
Year | Defensive Yards | YPG | YPG RANK
---------------------------------------
2011 | 2387 | 184 | 1
2012 | 3500 | 250 | 1
2013 | 3725 | 287 | 5
2014 | 4061 | 312 | 11
First off, that 2011 defense was simply off the charts - the second place team in yards that year gave up 3500 yards. Truly a legendary defense that may never be duplicated.
Still, the decline is obvious and I don't see how Bama fans can expect championships anytime soon with the trend going. 2009 and 2011 were won with defense. 2012 was won with a balanced team. Now the balance is clearly shifting towards offense and defense still wins championships.
Now I just wonder which team in the SEC has the defense to win a playoff.
---------------------------------------
2011 | 2387 | 184 | 1
2012 | 3500 | 250 | 1
2013 | 3725 | 287 | 5
2014 | 4061 | 312 | 11
First off, that 2011 defense was simply off the charts - the second place team in yards that year gave up 3500 yards. Truly a legendary defense that may never be duplicated.
Still, the decline is obvious and I don't see how Bama fans can expect championships anytime soon with the trend going. 2009 and 2011 were won with defense. 2012 was won with a balanced team. Now the balance is clearly shifting towards offense and defense still wins championships.
Now I just wonder which team in the SEC has the defense to win a playoff.
6
Posted on 2/7/15 at 10:07 am to PrivatePublic
A&M cuz they have Chavis and better talent than Chavis had at LSU
Posted on 2/7/15 at 10:09 am to PrivatePublic
Thank you! Maybe all the Kiffin haters will take a minute to look at the defense for once.
Posted on 2/7/15 at 10:42 am to PrivatePublic
I think Smart is part of the problem as well. Yes, the talent has declined but I really don't like the way he calls games at times. Bama still doesn't know how to defend a running QB. They call too many blitzes which opens up running lanes for QBs especially from the spread. For example, in the LSU game, Smart kept blitzing Jennings on third and long and he kept picking up first downs with his feet. They should have just focused on guarding up the middle and forced Jennings to pick up third and longs through the air. Also, Bama plays way too much man. Why is Eddie Jackson always one-on-one with receivers in deep coverage? Where is the help and why does it always arrive late? Bama is also 41st in opponent 3rd down conversions, 60th in sacks and 86th in interceptions. They aren't very explosive on defense. They don't make big plays on defense and aren't particularly great on getting off the field on third downs either. The great teams, the great defenses force a ton of negative plays from the opponents and that's how they win games by impressive margins.
Posted on 2/7/15 at 10:45 am to Bench McElroy
A modern day Saban defense isn't going to rank high in sacks/TFL/etc. We can argue about that strategy but it is what it is. And the single coverage thing......again, is what it is. That's his scheme.
Posted on 2/7/15 at 10:48 am to PrivatePublic
Jesus Christ 2011 was fricking sick.
Posted on 2/7/15 at 10:59 am to FourThreeForty
quote:
Jesus Christ 2011 was fricking sick.
Disgusting at the talent on the field for Game of The Century between Bama and Lsu.
Posted on 2/7/15 at 12:55 pm to PrivatePublic
quote:
defense still wins championships.
2014 YPG rank
#11 Bama
#19 OSU
#63 FSU
#89 Oregon
Posted on 2/7/15 at 12:57 pm to PrivatePublic
I'm going to need a line graph or chart before I can make my final assessment.
Posted on 2/7/15 at 12:59 pm to bona fide
quote:
2014 YPG rank
#11 Bama
#19 OSU
#63 FSU
#89 Oregon
And Bama/OSU was the defacto national championship game and clearly on another level from the likes of FSU/Oregon. TCU (#18 in total defense) also would have given Ohio State a much more competitive national championship game than Oregon did.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News