UT Dead Last in FBS - Impressive Stat

[Devo182]

130th out of 130 teams by OL Stuff Rate - "the percentage of carries by running backs that are stopped at or before the line of scrimmage"

2018 NCAA OFFENSIVE LINE STATS | Football Outsiders

What is really amazing isn't just that we are last in this category, but the margin by which we are. All other 129 fbs teams are in a range of 10.2% (Wisconsin) to 26.6%. That is a 16.4% range total. But, there we are way out in left field another 6% from our nearest neighbor at a whopping 32.6%. Yes, a full third of our runs were stopped right at the LOS or behind. That is insane.

What's even worse? Of the last 4 years they've been tracking the stat, no one has reached our level. Next closest was 28.7%, not even close! Suck it 2017 Texas State!

We can only go up from here!

 

[DiderotsGhost]

Not one bit surprising to me. I've never seen an O-line with as poor run-blocking as I have this past year. And the O-line issues impacted everything else on offense. We could have had Peyton Manning, Jamal Lewis, and Travis Henry in their primes out there, and our offense still would've struggled with that OL.

Chandler doesn't get enough credit for putting up very good numbers behind a horrid O-line.

 

[volfaninky]

Same line JG tries to throw behind... ouch

 

[orangeblooded2]

Lack of line play has been a problem for a number of years. As far I am concerned everyone signed in Feb. should be a big nasty Mama-jamma.

 

[guido4198]

With these kind of numbers...it's easy to see that Coach Pruitt's most effective recruiting talk to prospective lineman goes something like:
"Young man, I can pretty much GUARANTEE you'll be thrown into the game from day one...straight outta High School. We're gonna be depending upon you to open those running lanes and provide pass protection against our typical top 10 ranked SEC opponents".

 

[cgrish]

Not one bit surprising to me. I've never seen an O-line with as poor run-blocking as I have this past year. And the O-line issues impacted everything else on offense. We could have had Peyton Manning, Jamal Lewis, and Travis Henry in their primes out there, and our offense still would've struggled with that OL.

Chandler doesn't get enough credit for putting up very good numbers behind a horrid O-line.

Doesnt it make you think. Why in the world would we try to run on 60% of our plays.

 

[BowlBrother85]

Of course, it reflects a lack of talent but we are not the only team in the FBS with a crappy Oline. This also shows a lack of creativity with the scheme. Some teams are able to mask their deficiencies. Ours are always glaring.

 

[volfannbama]

Of course, it reflects a lack of talent but we are not the only team in the FBS with a crappy Oline. This also shows a lack of creativity with the scheme. Some teams are able to mask their deficiencies. Ours are always glaring.

Nope, dont dare blame coaches. Nothing he coulda done, nothing at all....

Jokinf of course

 

[Rockytoptilidie]

With the small exception of a few classes, this has been as big of a factor as anything in our decade plus demise - our trench play has been below average. There have been a few talented players, but no where near SEC level depth.

 

[Roustabout]

And we’re supposed to be impressed with Friend??

I remember the Oline getting decemt push in the spring game and thinking things had improved. Wrong. Sure, Oline recruiting fell off but not as bad as the results we’re seeing. Even Trey looked bad the times he was out there.

 

[Eastknox865]

Doesnt it make you think. Why in the world would we try to run on 60% of our plays.

They run to shorten the game if you pass more you get sacked or turn it over. Bad OL ties the coaches hands.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

So you're saying the chalk lines on the field do better than our orange-clad line? OOOOUUUUCCCHHH!!!!

 

[FLVOL_79]

And to think people actually believe 8 to 9 wins is possible next year...

 

[ReelfootVol]

One of these days, the celler dwellers of the SEC (yes us) are going to realize that the game is won at the line of scrimmage......Second rate o linemen are not going to get it in the SEC...........I had rather have a 4 star lineman and a 2 star quarterback. If your priority is not top quality lineman, in the SEC , then you might as well sit home and knit you a blanet for the winter. Just because a lineman is big does not mean he is a bad due with a smash performance. I could call names but will refrain. To be tactful, I did not see many SEC talented lineman on our team this year.

 

[FLVOL_79]

One of these days, the celler dwellers of the SEC (yes us) are going to realize that the game is won at the line of scrimmage......Second rate o linemen are not going to get it in the SEC...........I had rather have a 4 star lineman and a 2 star quarterback. If your priority is not top quality lineman, in the SEC , then you might as well sit home and knit you a blanet for the winter. Just because a lineman is big does not mean he is a bad due with a smash performance. I could call names but will refrain. To be tactful, I did not see many SEC talented lineman on our team this year.

Think thats been known since forever. The UT administration hiring coaches who chased ambulances after college and played wind instruments in marching band had a lot to do with the bad oline recruiting/development.

 

[Roustabout]

One of these days, the celler dwellers of the SEC (yes us) are going to realize that the game is won at the line of scrimmage......Second rate o linemen are not going to get it in the SEC...........I had rather have a 4 star lineman and a 2 star quarterback. If your priority is not top quality lineman, in the SEC , then you might as well sit home and knit you a blanet for the winter. Just because a lineman is big does not mean he is a bad due with a smash performance. I could call names but will refrain. To be tactful, I did not see many SEC talented lineman on our team this year.

Nebraska used to build some formidable lines with 3 star talent. The key was consistently recruiting good numbers and seasoning them in the program for 2-3 years before seeing the field. Well, and probably some roids.

UT has not recruited ahead of the need. They’ve been forced to play guys who aren’t ready. And, there hasn’t been a lot of experienced seniors to lead the way.

Pruitt is signing the largest # of Oline I can recall. Even in Butch’s 32 person class, he only signed 3 oline. Two of those were Blair and Raulerson. Think about that for a minute. The best Oline was Jashon who was moved from defense. If people want to put a mark on where Butch screwed it up, look no further than the 2014 signing class. Oline sucked.

 

[BowlBrother85]

And to think people actually believe 8 to 9 wins is possible next year...

Well, the schedule is manageable next season...

I see 4 sure wins: Georgia State, Chattanooga, UAB and @ Kentucky (they lose a lot and we just seem to have their number)

4 sure losses: @ Florida, Georgia, @ Alabama and @ Missouri

4 toss ups: BYU, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Vanderbilt (they also lose a lot) - it helps that all of Tennessee's toss up games (at least in my opinion) are at home.

In short, I don't think 8-4 is out of the question. I do expect to be in a bowl game, at the very least.

 

[DiderotsGhost]

Well, the schedule is manageable next season...

I see 4 sure wins: Georgia State, Chattanooga, UAB and @ Kentucky (they lose a lot and we just seem to have their number)

4 sure losses: @ Florida, Georgia, @ Alabama and @ Missouri

4 toss ups: BYU, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Vanderbilt (they also lose a lot) - it helps that all of Tennessee's toss up games (at least in my opinion) are at home.

Florida and Mizzou are far from "sure losses". Mizzou had an experienced Senior-laden team this year; they'll take a step back next year. Florida will be tough next year, but keep in mind, we lost this year due to turnovers, not lack of production. Our offensive stats were actually similar, aside from the turnovers. That said, Mullen is a great coach and he's never going to be "easy" to beat.

 

[Rudy123]

Doesnt it make you think. Why in the world would we try to run on 60% of our plays.

Because on pass plays, there are three possible outcomes, int, reception or incomplete. Two of the three possible outcomes are bad
May not even get the ball thrown because of a sack

 

[TAF]

I'm Shocked I tell you...SHOCKED!!!!

 

[k-town_king]

Nebraska used to build some formidable lines with 3 star talent. The key was consistently recruiting good numbers and seasoning them in the program for 2-3 years before seeing the field. Well, and probably some roids.

UT has not recruited ahead of the need. They’ve been forced to play guys who aren’t ready. And, there hasn’t been a lot of experienced seniors to lead the way.

Pruitt is signing the largest # of Oline I can recall. Even in Butch’s 32 person class, he only signed 3 oline. Two of those were Blair and Raulerson. Think about that for a minute. The best Oline was Jashon who was moved from defense. If people want to put a mark on where Butch screwed it up, look no further than the 2014 signing class. Oline sucked.

The key for Neb was steroids and partial qualifiers.

 

[BowlBrother85]

Florida and Mizzou are far from "sure losses". Mizzou had an experienced Senior-laden team this year; they'll take a step back next year. Florida will be tough next year, but keep in mind, we lost this year due to turnovers, not lack of production. Our offensive stats were actually similar, aside from the turnovers. That said, Mullen is a great coach and he's never going to be "easy" to beat.

Disagree with you on Florida but I thought about putting Missouri in the "toss up" column for the reasons you mentioned but decided against it because it's on the road... and there is a really bad history for us there. I also thought about putting Mississippi State in the "sure loss" column but it's at home... and their offense isn't great. Either way, 8-4 shouldn't be a ridiculous prediction with that schedule.

 

[BowlBrother85]

The key for Neb was steroids and partial qualifiers.

This... and chop blocking didn't use to be enforced much. They did it frequently in both our games against them in the late 90's.

 

[NUMBER1VOLFAN]

I'm Shocked I tell you...SHOCKED!!!!

 

[NUMBER1VOLFAN]

Here I was having a nice cup of coffee and these vids show up. UGH! One thing I haven't seen is how much love we need to show for the durability of Guarantano!! Bless that young man. With this OL, how he ever played as long as he did was a gift from above. Please bring on the Big Nasties!!