Defense and time of possession

#26
#26
TOP is a completely useless stat.

Regarding our Defense tiring, focus on the NUMBER OF PLAYS we are on the field, not the AMOUNT OF TIME. It adds zero fatigue on our D standing & waiting on the other team 35-40 seconds after the previous play ends to finally snap the ball, regardless if the game clock is running.

BTW, our 3rd down Defense improved significantly vs 2021. Our 4th down D was bad against UF, but was pretty decent later in the season. This helped our Defensive snaps decrease this year (74 plays per game) vs 2021 (78 plays per game).

Keep running our fast tempo Offense as long as it produces high Points per Possession for us!
 
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#27
#27
TN1111 said:
This. Get occasional stops on 3rd down and you get to rest. This in turn leads to more possessions and time of possession for the offense. These lack of 3rd down stops don’t just occur late in games. It’s been been consistent throughout the entirety of 4 quarters far too often.
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First and second down stops work too..
 
#29
#29
I think our defense sucks period. They sucked early they sucked a little less some games late. They sucked when well rested, they sucked when tired.
 
#30
#30
All valid points and I would gladly give up T.O.P. for the most points every game.

Last year I was caught up in the fact the defense played too many plays, got tired and had more chances to screw up..

This year it was pretty obvious, when they give up TD's in the 1st quater, it's not cause they are tired.
 
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#32
#32
volroadwarrior said:
It is up to the defense to get up off the field. Give up fewer first downs. It is not the fault of a high tempo offense. Just get more 3 and outs. Pretty simple to understand. I can't understand why fans don't comprehend this.
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Also the TV timeouts etc..give added rest, these are not old men. The D should be able to get off the field more. They showed they could vs Missouri. Kentucky and a Vandy team that just beat UF & UK back to back.
 
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#33
#33
Hawkeye4588 said:
According to the following website: College Football Stats - College FB Team Average Time of Possession (Excluding OT) | TeamRankings.com Tennessee ranked 130 out of 131 in time of possession averaging 24:58 a game. While that is an impressive number from an explosive offense perspective it does mean our defense was on the field a lot. For comparison, Georgia's time of possession is 33:19. Almost 10 more minutes per game for the defense to rest. Do you guys think this is an issues with Heupel's high tempo offense? Is it something we can fix just with depth on the defensive side of the ball?
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He slowed it down the offense from last year and I think he will do it again next year
 
#34
#34
With our offense, especially this year, it was not only the pace of the offense. It was also the number of big plays (over say 40 yards) that led to very short TOP scoring drives. Hopefully this continues. As for our defense, I think if we have quality depth it will help tremendously. I believe teams like Georgia rotate guys in and out on defense even without a fast pace offense. Fresher legs in the 4th quarter makes a difference.
 
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#35
#35
Time of possession is meaningless. We lack talent on defense. Our secondary is 13th/14th in terms of recruited talent (only better than Vandy). That’s our issue
 
#36
#36
Hawkeye4588 said:
According to the following website: College Football Stats - College FB Team Average Time of Possession (Excluding OT) | TeamRankings.com Tennessee ranked 130 out of 131 in time of possession averaging 24:58 a game. While that is an impressive number from an explosive offense perspective it does mean our defense was on the field a lot. For comparison, Georgia's time of possession is 33:19. Almost 10 more minutes per game for the defense to rest. Do you guys think this is an issues with Heupel's high tempo offense? Is it something we can fix just with depth on the defensive side of the ball?
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We need a better defense. We all know this. But if we keep up the scoring pace as it has been, then our defense will always be ranked mid to back half of the schools. Simply because of the number of time they are on the field. I feeling is if we can get ranked in the top 30-40 or so best defensives, then we will be nearly unstoppable. (if our defense get this good, then for most teams they would likely come in the top 10)
 
#37
#37
Defensive depth, without a doubt, would help the defense get off the field and turn it back over to the offense. If the opponent can't move down the field at will, our offense has an opportunity to score even more points than they do now.
 
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#38
#38
Pass Rush Improvement

Much improved DB personnel/scheme

LB depth/personnel improvement

DLine continue to hold up against the run game

Offense keep doing what it does

There, just fixed TOP concern

Hopefully by 2024 this will be an expectation every game

Go Vols!
 
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#39
#39
Get stops occasionally and maybe you will get off the field. A defense that allows TDs on nine out of ten possessions in a game is going to be on the field a long time regardless of what the offense does.
 
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#40
#40
Hawkeye4588 said:
According to the following website: College Football Stats - College FB Team Average Time of Possession (Excluding OT) | TeamRankings.com Tennessee ranked 130 out of 131 in time of possession averaging 24:58 a game. While that is an impressive number from an explosive offense perspective it does mean our defense was on the field a lot. For comparison, Georgia's time of possession is 33:19. Almost 10 more minutes per game for the defense to rest. Do you guys think this is an issues with Heupel's high tempo offense? Is it something we can fix just with depth on the defensive side of the ball?
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I don't think TOP or even "total" numbers are what you have to evaluate a Heupel D by. Look at Yds/play, 3/4 down conversion, and the number of 1st downs. If your O scores fast then it follows that the opponent gets more possessions and may get more yds or even points.

UT was 13th in the SEC this year in 1st downs allowed, 8th in yds/play, 5th in 3rd downs, and 9th in 4th downs.

The reason the D was on the field too much wasn't because UT scored too fast or ran its O too fast or were too efficient on O. The reason the D was on the field too much is that they D gave up too many 1st downs, too many yds/play, and couldn't get off the field when it needed to.

Allowing fewer 1st downs means fewer long drives... which means they get more rest.
 
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#41
#41
Hawkeye4588 said:
According to the following website: College Football Stats - College FB Team Average Time of Possession (Excluding OT) | TeamRankings.com Tennessee ranked 130 out of 131 in time of possession averaging 24:58 a game. While that is an impressive number from an explosive offense perspective it does mean our defense was on the field a lot. For comparison, Georgia's time of possession is 33:19. Almost 10 more minutes per game for the defense to rest. Do you guys think this is an issues with Heupel's high tempo offense? Is it something we can fix just with depth on the defensive side of the ball?
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College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Points per Play | TeamRankings.com

Tennessee is #22 in defensive points allowed per play. Time of possession is absolutely a factor. Next to last in time of possession trumps the fact that we are top 25 in lowest points allowed per play.

The defense can do better, and should have done better. I believe it will and I believe the game plan will change drastically vs Clemson as well as next year under Milton. The run game (with power QB runs added and likely more option looks) will look to dominate (still under tempo) with the deep threat still the underlying threat. Time of possession will oscillate depending on the ability and performance of our QB and offense.

With the ability of the QB, the way the offense operates will adjust under Heupel. I feel confident in saying that.

The dream scenario is to get a Tayven Jackson or Nico Iamaleava ready to run the offense as efficiently as Hendo Cinco, while the defensive recruiting and development amps up over the next couple years. Hopefully the portal helps us in the short term each year but the recruitment of elite defenders is a major factor if we want to get into consistent CFB conversations in the next 5 years.
 
#42
#42
Hawkeye4588 said:
According to the following website: College Football Stats - College FB Team Average Time of Possession (Excluding OT) | TeamRankings.com Tennessee ranked 130 out of 131 in time of possession averaging 24:58 a game. While that is an impressive number from an explosive offense perspective it does mean our defense was on the field a lot. For comparison, Georgia's time of possession is 33:19. Almost 10 more minutes per game for the defense to rest. Do you guys think this is an issues with Heupel's high tempo offense? Is it something we can fix just with depth on the defensive side of the ball?
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100% correct.
Hawkeye4588 said:
According to the following website: College Football Stats - College FB Team Average Time of Possession (Excluding OT) | TeamRankings.com Tennessee ranked 130 out of 131 in time of possession averaging 24:58 a game. While that is an impressive number from an explosive offense perspective it does mean our defense was on the field a lot. For comparison, Georgia's time of possession is 33:19. Almost 10 more minutes per game for the defense to rest. Do you guys think this is an issues with Heupel's high tempo offense? Is it something we can fix just with depth on the defensive side of the ball?
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100% correct. 100% correct. 100% correct

One of my best friends is a Georgia guy (definitely not the typical Georgia fan) and a few of his comments/examples make a lot of sense. These are his comments/examples/comparisons, not mine:

1. Once you get a double digit lead if you can run the ball and control the clock you control the game. Against us, with a 24-6 lead at the half, Georgia threw the ball a total of 4 times in the second half, chewing up the clock in large chunks.

2. Against LSU, Georgia had a 35-10 lead at the half. They threw the ball only 5 times in the second half.

3. Frustrates the hell out of Georgia fans when Bennett checks up and down the line, and even when he doesn’t, the play clock is down to five, four, three…. but the opposing offense remains on the sideline.

4. (Again these are his comments not mine.) Tennessee has nowhere near the depth or talent on defense to rely on them to make big stops over and over, especially late in the game.

5. No doubt Heupel is a mastermind on offense, but if he doesn’t make some adjustments to his game plan, he will become another version of Gus Malzahn, Mike Leach, etc.
 
#43
#43
I think there's something that you're missing when it comes to TOP and our offense is what the intent is.

Our Defensive line rotates like 10 people on it alone. Our game play is designed to speed up the game while we have the ball which limits the opposing team's chance to sub. Our defense however does have ample time to sub. Ideally our conditioning and fresher defense should be taking over in the 4th quarter. The only team that doesn't seem to work on currently is Georgia (South Carolina is a an anomaly this year and I don't think is an indictment on the overall gameplan) and that's because Georgia is just as conditioned while completely out-talenting us on Defense.
 
#47
#47
Hawkeye4588 said:
According to the following website: College Football Stats - College FB Team Average Time of Possession (Excluding OT) | TeamRankings.com Tennessee ranked 130 out of 131 in time of possession averaging 24:58 a game. While that is an impressive number from an explosive offense perspective it does mean our defense was on the field a lot. For comparison, Georgia's time of possession is 33:19. Almost 10 more minutes per game for the defense to rest. Do you guys think this is an issues with Heupel's high tempo offense? Is it something we can fix just with depth on the defensive side of the ball?
Click to expand...

If the defense would get quick stops and get off the field, then our offensive time of possession would be greater, and the defense wouldn't be on the field as long. When they are so bad they can't ever get a stop (see South Carolina game) then they bring their own fatigue on themselves.
 
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#48
#48
HSTVol said:
1. Once you get a double digit lead if you can run the ball and control the clock you control the game. Against us, with a 24-6 lead at the half, Georgia threw the ball a total of 4 times in the second half, chewing up the clock in large chunks.





4. (Again these are his comments not mine.) Tennessee has nowhere near the depth or talent on defense to rely on them to make big stops over and over, especially late in the game.

5. No doubt Heupel is a mastermind on offense, but if he doesn’t make some adjustments to his game plan, he will become another version of Gus Malzahn, Mike Leach, etc.
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Georgia had only a field goal after the first minute of the second quarter. Our offense did not make that trip. Period. That was completely embarrassing. Georgia was trying like hell to score. They couldn't. If they were able, they would have ran for 200 yards and 3 scores in the second half. They could not. Because of our defense, which gave a great performance minus a couple long passes. Geogia struggled to get that last first down to ice the game.

CJH is going to be as good as his recruiting allows. You don't win the SEC with three stars on defense. And we are addressing that in this past class, and big time with this class.

Georgia is not a passing team. They don't have great recievers. They don't have a great passing qb. Noting how many passes they throw is cool, but not indicative of anything other than they are not a great passing team. That 27 points they mustered (24 early on) should not have been enough, but again, our offense did not trip to Athens this past season.
 
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#49
#49
Until we can get a pass rush, we will suck on defense. Period. Every good defense in the history of football makes the qb’s life misery, and even when blitzing we do not do that consistently. We have a lot of serviceable guys but no inside dominator.
 
#50
#50
Hawkeye4588 said:
Good points.

Just a fun, scary thought. What if our defense does start getting 3 and outs and our offense stays high octane? We will be scoring 70 or 80 points a game!
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I think you will see more 4 minute drives. That was one wrinkle we had this year vs last. We were able to put together a couple "longer" drives to ice games away, I know LSU comes to mind. As long as we can turn those into points, even 3, to go with our normal explosive sub 2 minute drives and we will be real dangerous.
 
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