TOP actually does mean game clock, by definition. You can argue that it doesn't necessarily perfectly reflect the actual real time that passes, because the clock stops for injuries, penalties, incompletions and such. But TOP does measure who has the ball when the game clock is running.

I understand that teams with great defenses tend to have good TOP. But Chavis hasn't been one of them. At LSU or at Tennessee.

In 2009, LSU was ranked #107 in time of possession. Chavis still had the #26 Total Defense, and the #11 Scoring Defense.

A year later in 2010, LSU was #57 in TOP, while Chavis had the #12 Total D, and the #11 Scoring D.

Even during the great defense in 2011, LSU was only #26 in TOP.
In 2012 LSU TOP #46. Total D/ScoringD #8/#12
In 2013, LSU TOP: #57, Total D/Scoring D: #15/#21
In 2014, LSU TOP: #9, Total D/Scoring D: #9/#5

LSU had elite TOP in just ONE season of Chavis' tenure.

Also, let's take a look at how Chavis did at Tennessee.

In 2008, the Vols had the #3 Total Defense, and the #10 Scoring Defense. What was their TOP ranking? #98

In 2007, their TOP ranking was even worse, at #103, but Chavis still finished 70/61 in Total/SCoring D.

2006 - TOP #105, Total D/Scoring D #50/#33

2005 - TOP #73, Total D/Scoring D #7/#16

And that's as far back as the NCAA website keeps the TOP stat.

His defensive rankings have ALWAYS outperformed his teams' TOP, often by huge margins. Point being, there is AMPLE evidence to suggest that Chavis isn't dependent on a ball control offense.

The numbers don't lie. The LSU offense, up until last year, just wasn't elite at running the clock. Maybe Fournette is the real deal, and LSU will continue to have equal or greater success. And maybe that will help out Steele. But Chavis has almost never had that kind of support from his offense. Not at Tennessee, and not at LSU. His defenses have always stood on their own.

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Posted by jbrau22

Waco, TX

Member since Jun 2007

2134 posts

Posted on 7/28/15 at 10:51 am to Mirthomatic

You are right, I was trying to argue that it doesn't perfectly reflect the actual real time/game situation. I know that I wasn't very clear in that.

No stats tell the whole story...thats what I mean to say. Stats are what they are. If we went by stats, LSU certainly would have lost some games that they indeed won.

I don't think we are in total disagreement here...you actually seem to be making my argument for me and I for you it seems. What I said was that I could see Chavis fielding top 25 d's "according to stats" but not top 10s unless you change philosophies...and your evidence kind of proves this.

I haven't looked up the stats on aTm's TOP under sumlin but I am assuming its pretty up there correct? Like over 50 or 60? The only times Chavis fielded a top 10 defense under those TOP was at tenn in the weak arse east (minus florida at the time).

We are in agreement that Chavis is an excellent defensive coordinator who should do well at aTm just as he would most anywhere he would go. For some reason the sticking point between us is just how well "statistically" and like I said, that doesn't even matter.

So I think it is safe for me to say that Chavis will most likely not field a top ten "statistically" defense at aTm barring a change in philosophy offensively but can field a great defense. Depth is the key thing that aTm needs to continue to build for any defense to be successful with that style of O.

I dunno why this is important to you guys anyways bc we all know you really only would need a top 30 or even 50 d to have a shot to win it all. The only teams that will push you in my opinion is the teams with styles opposite of yours ie Bama, LSU, Arky etc.

This league is so different now. It has left behind all teams trying to do things the same way only better than anyone else to such a diverse field of philosophies. It is way more difficult than ever to go undefeated in this league due to this.

maybe we agree to disagree but if you go back and read what I said earlier, I think we are on the same page, just making different arguments about just how good.