Need Input on Comprehensive Defensive Analysis

[engie]

Getting started with this tonight. The goal is to compare our defenses over the years(vs the offenses the played) in a manner that is fair and comprehensive - specifically comparing Ellis Johnson's defenses to Chris Wilson's. Decided to only use SEC games, since that does a generally much better job of leveling out SOS between seasons.

Here's what it looks like right now.

What else would you guys add to this in order to get the best possible data? Trying to make this is as comprehensive and exact - yet brief - as I can.

 

[biguglyjoe]

Cumulative TFL would be a great stat if possible.

 

[MSUDawg4Life]

Turnovers gained?

What about points scored by the defense? May not be an easy stat to obtain, but some people point to that as a difference between the defenses of the two coordinators.

 

[CadaverDawg]

How about where the comparable opponents ranked in the country then vs. now...for comparisons sake. And I wish there was a way to count broken tackles. Defensive scores are also good to look at. TFL, sacks, turnovers, and opponents completion percentage is a huge stat. Yards per carry. Just trying to throw some things out there...not expecting you to dig all this **** up, just thinking of everything possible so you can have some things to choose from.

Thanks for working this up, however, I think the eye test is the best way to look at it and everyone seems locked in to their opinions on the subject..regardless of stats. You'll just get arguments about how much better offenses are now vs then, and how the league may have been weaker then vs now, etc. Personally I think it will be interesting to see though.

 

[dawg21]

Just some ideas:

1. Opponents Season averages for yds and points (a correlation to how we did on defense compared to how everybody else did)

2. Plays per game (some indication of hurry up). This provides a general upswing in offensive numbers across the board nationwide, but I would assume more turnovers as well.

Also, some comparison to say LSU/Bama averages against those teams versus ours (high standard we should shoot for).

There are so many numbers you can come up with, but just from the eye test EVERYONE agrees we were not the physical defense we were just a few years ago.

 

[kired]

Stats that I would consider adding: rushing / passing first downs, average yard per catch, completion %, rushing / passing TDs, 3rd down %, red zone TD %, TFL, sacks, turnovers.

And if you really have some spare time, look at something like % of sacks registered by DL vs. the back 7. That would be more of a season comparison rather than each game. Also scoring by quarter.

And finally one I think would be really interesting, and I've never taken time to calculate it: a comparison of how easily teams gain first downs. I'm thinking you could calculate:

(fd gained on 1st or 2nd down) = (total fd) - (penalty fd + 3rd down conversions + 4th down conversion). So you can calculate % of the first downs gained on 1st or 2nd down, and would also be interesting to see the overall % of first downs compared to total number of plays.

 

[SheltonChoked]

Yards per play.

Manny Diaz was quoted on Chris Brown's Smart Football website that he looks at that and scoring defense to determine success.