I've noticed a few posts suggesting that our defense isn't as good as we think it is. Look, I get it, we're all frustrated. But the D is far from a problem, and is, in fact, pretty dang good.
For those that like efficiency measures, FPI has our defensive efficiency at #12 nationally.
What I'm taking a deeper dive into today is turnovers. Both traditional, and on downs.
Here are some facts to chew on:
For those that like efficiency measures, FPI has our defensive efficiency at #12 nationally.
What I'm taking a deeper dive into today is turnovers. Both traditional, and on downs.
Here are some facts to chew on:
- In 6 SEC contests, we've committed 14 traditional turnovers.
- 3 have been DST touchdowns. Of the remaining 11, an astonishing 10 have occurred at the 50, or in our own territory.
- Of the 10 post-turnover drives that started in our territory, the defense has allowed 36 points.
- The opponent did not score on the post-turnover drive that started in their territory.
- In those same 6 games, we've turned the ball over on downs 12 times.
- Half of those resulted in the opponent taking over at the 50 or in our territory. The defense allowed 13 points on those six post-turnover drives.
- Of the six post-turnover drives where the opponent started in their own territory, the defense has only allowed 7 points.
- So, combined, that's 16 drives where the defense had to stop an opponent that began in our territory, and resultingly gave up 49 points. ~3 points per drive.
- And, combined, that's 7 drives where the defense had the benefit of starting on the right side of the field, which resulted in 7 points. Exactly 1 point per drive.
- We only have 28 points off of opponent turnovers, 15 of which have been directly scored by our defense.
- Tennessee (W, 15-12)
- Auburn (L, 16-21)
- Texas (L, 3-20)
- South Carolina (W, 9-8)
- Ole Miss (L, 7-26)
- Mizzou (W, 13-7)
