Where we were........and where we ARE...

[FollowTheLeader]

As the conversation and criticism of the defense continues, let's look at a small sample of basic stats that matter based on the style of offense we play

Last year, one of the biggest complaints was 3rd down defense. We were ranked #103 last year. This year we are #32.

-4th down defense was #64 last year and #28 as of today.

-Red zone defense last year was almost last at #120 and as of today, we are #14

-Scoring defense was #90 last year and as of today, we are #36

-As of today, we are #42 in YPP.

(Updated: PPP we are #14 ----we're playing alot of snaps on defense)

-Rushing d was #59 last year and as of today, we are #21.

This year, we HELD 6 teams to 14 or below points. (In the SEC, Georgia held 8 teams to 14 or below, Alabama held 5 teams at 7 or below, and Kentucky held 6 teams to 17 or below and all of these teams rank in Top 15 in total defense).

Win total last year was 7, this year we have 11 WINS.

The defense had improved and is GOOD. Improvements on D would move it to ELITE and we don't have far to go based on the improvements this year.

 

[VolBricks]

I never thought we were as bad as everyone thought, but I also never thought we were especially good. I think the next 2 years will tell a lot about this Tim Banks defense

 

[joevol33]

It sure seems like we're headed the right direction.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

As the conversation and criticism of the defense continues, let's look at a small sample of basic stats that matter based on the style of offense we play

Last year, one of the biggest complaints was 3rd down defense. We were ranked #103 last year. This year we are #32.

-4th down defense was #64 last year and #28 as of today.

-Red zone defense last year was almost last at #120 and as of today, we are #14

-Scoring defense was #90 last year and as of today, we are #36

-As of today, we are #42 in YPP.

-Rushing d was #59 last year and as of today, we are #21.

This year, we HELD 6 teams to 14 or below points. (In the SEC, Georgia held 8 teams to 14 or below, Alabama held 5 teams at 7 or below, and Kentucky held 6 teams to 17 or below and all of these teams rank in Top 15 in total defense).

Win total last year was 7, this year we have 11 WINS.

The defense had improved and is GOOD. Improvements on D would move it to ELITE and we don't have far to go based on the improvements this year.

obviously you are trying to use facts to excuse not enough progress and lack of perfection…

 

[utvolpj]

But I was told facts didn't matter and it was all about the eye test.

 

[FollowTheLeader]

obviously you are trying to use facts to excuse not enough progress and lack of perfection…


View attachment 529026

Why yes........I am........thank you.....

 

[youcancallmeAl]

In the Orange Bowl, our defense got off the field by: forced two three-and-outs, one four and out by interception, three missed FG's, two made FG's, 2 fourth down stops, second interception, and 1 TD allowed.

They gave up a lot of yards and plays, but consider that the offense punted back to Clemson 8 times, including SIX 3-and-outs. Three of our four touchdowns came on 3, 4, and 6 play drives. Our offense had one 12 play drive, and none other over 6 plays.

So the stats bear FollowTheLeader out here - the defense did very well considering their known weaknesses, the absence of our starting MLB, and the offense not sustaining drives for more than 6 plays at a time. This performance we have at the end of year Two of the Heupel era against a top ten team. Our secondary is still a concern until we see it play well again, but the D line and linebackers are solid.

 

[HooahVol]

I really liked the exotic blitzes against Clemson. I really think after the coaches watched the South Carolina film where we got zero pressure on Spencer Rattler they did buckle down and make adjustments.

 

[pimo1]

As the conversation and criticism of the defense continues, let's look at a small sample of basic stats that matter based on the style of offense we play

Last year, one of the biggest complaints was 3rd down defense. We were ranked #103 last year. This year we are #32.

-4th down defense was #64 last year and #28 as of today.

-Red zone defense last year was almost last at #120 and as of today, we are #14

-Scoring defense was #90 last year and as of today, we are #36

-As of today, we are #42 in YPP.

-Rushing d was #59 last year and as of today, we are #21.

This year, we HELD 6 teams to 14 or below points. (In the SEC, Georgia held 8 teams to 14 or below, Alabama held 5 teams at 7 or below, and Kentucky held 6 teams to 17 or below and all of these teams rank in Top 15 in total defense).

Win total last year was 7, this year we have 11 WINS.

The defense had improved and is GOOD. Improvements on D would move it to ELITE and we don't have far to go based on the improvements this year.

Good is a strong word. I think fully healthy all year we would have looked better in the secondary and next year the defense will be better on the field and on paper for 2 reasons.

1. We aren't losing a lot on defense and have a lot of talent coming in.
2. Most likely the offense won't be quite as fast tempo/explosive and this will lead to less defensive snaps.

Not a knock on Milton I'm a big fan and supporter but he runs the offense at a different pace than Hooker. If its true that Wright transfers that's a blow and its gonna be hard to replace the talent we lose on offense. We lose the right side of the Oline on a very right-handed team, We lose at least one of our two tight ends, We lose Hooker, We lose Hyatt and Tillman. We also lost a lot of guys that could have stepped up next year to the portal at WR and RB.

It's possible we have guys ready to step in which is the reason guys did enter the portal. It's possible that we get guys to fill those spots via the portal. History says this is likely to happen but I am not one to assume. All signs point to a dropoff on the offensive side. Not a huge one but a dropoff and that will actually help the defense.

Those guys spent a huge amount of snaps on the field. I wonder if I can find a metric for yards and points per snap. I have a feeling that we would be ranked a lot higher on defense by those metrics.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

In the Orange Bowl, our defense got off the field by: forced two three-and-outs, one four and out by interception, three missed FG's, two made FG's, 2 fourth down stops, second interception, and 1 TD allowed.

They gave up a lot of yards and plays, but consider that the offense punted back to Clemson 8 times, including SIX 3-and-outs. Three of our four touchdowns came on 3, 4, and 6 play drives. Our offense had one 12 play drive, and none other over 6 plays.

So the stats bear FollowTheLeader out here - the defense did very well considering their known weaknesses, the absence of our starting MLB, and the offense not sustaining drives for more than 6 plays at a time. This performance we have at the end of year Two of the Heupel era against a top ten team. Our secondary is still a concern until we see it play well again, but the D line and linebackers are solid.

But all of those good things in the bowl game was against a freshman QB whose only claim to fame is his play in winning ACC Championship so take that into consideration.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

But all of those good things in the bowl game was against a freshman QB whose only claim to fame is his play in winning ACC Championship so take that into consideration.

Yeah, and they were missing key people on their offense, and no matter how good our defense did, it wasn't good enough even if we won the game by 3 scores because the stats weren't so good, and that is more of a harbinger of things to come than 11 wins this year. And if we don't talk smack about the DC, the defense is gonna not be elite, and then we'll have trouble right here in River City and that starts with a T and that rimes with D and that stands for Defense!!

 

[87&91ALUM]

Agree with the OP however, getting the chance to watch bowls with some excellent defenses reminded me that speed, size, and technique are critical in the secondary. We had too many receivers and backs blow by us on defense and too many passes that we did not turn around and knock away or intercept. We had a good start and we improved this year....we must find 6-2 and speed burners on secondary who tackle well and stop these long drives by our opponents that wear out our defense and put us behind the 8 ball.

 

[Ratvol]

Hopefully we continue with this upward trend next season with better recruits/portal players coming in. I'm excited.
sniff.. sniff... Anyone out there smell a natty?

GO VOLS!!!

 

[Volador]

As the conversation and criticism of the defense continues, let's look at a small sample of basic stats that matter based on the style of offense we play

Last year, one of the biggest complaints was 3rd down defense. We were ranked #103 last year. This year we are #32.

-4th down defense was #64 last year and #28 as of today.

-Red zone defense last year was almost last at #120 and as of today, we are #14

-Scoring defense was #90 last year and as of today, we are #36

-As of today, we are #42 in YPP.

(Updated: PPP we are #14 ----we're playing alot of snaps on defense)

-Rushing d was #59 last year and as of today, we are #21.

This year, we HELD 6 teams to 14 or below points. (In the SEC, Georgia held 8 teams to 14 or below, Alabama held 5 teams at 7 or below, and Kentucky held 6 teams to 17 or below and all of these teams rank in Top 15 in total defense).

Win total last year was 7, this year we have 11 WINS.

The defense had improved and is GOOD. Improvements on D would move it to ELITE and we don't have far to go based on the improvements this year.

Your thread in pix

 

[lutra]

Our D definitely looked way better than last year and hope it continue to improve. The SC game was inexcusable though and unfortunately what pops in a lot of people's head when looking back at the defense this year. That game will forever haunt me, but I know that it was more of an outlier.

 

[WilcoVolsFan]

At the end of the day, if the offensive drives are only 1-2 minutes long, whether it's a 80 yard scoring drive or a 3 & out, the other team is going to get plenty of chances to score and an advantage in time of possession usually as well.

Having the fastest offense in the NCAA might not be mutually exclusive to a great defense, but it does present additional challenges a slower-paced "3 & a cloud of dust" doesn't.

 

[malibuvol]

Good is a strong word. I think fully healthy all year we would have looked better in the secondary and next year the defense will be better on the field and on paper for 2 reasons.

1. We aren't losing a lot on defense and have a lot of talent coming in.
2. Most likely the offense won't be quite as fast tempo/explosive and this will lead to less defensive snaps.

Not a knock on Milton I'm a big fan and supporter but he runs the offense at a different pace than Hooker. If its true that Wright transfers that's a blow and its gonna be hard to replace the talent we lose on offense. We lose the right side of the Oline on a very right-handed team, We lose at least one of our two tight ends, We lose Hooker, We lose Hyatt and Tillman. We also lost a lot of guys that could have stepped up next year to the portal at WR and RB.

It's possible we have guys ready to step in which is the reason guys did enter the portal. It's possible that we get guys to fill those spots via the portal. History says this is likely to happen but I am not one to assume. All signs point to a dropoff on the offensive side. Not a huge one but a dropoff and that will actually help the defense.

Those guys spent a huge amount of snaps on the field. I wonder if I can find a metric for yards and points per snap. I have a feeling that we would be ranked a lot higher on defense by those metrics.

Lose the right side of the OL? Is Spraggins moving to the left side or what??

 

[Enki_Amenra]

It sure seems like we're headed the right direction.

It seems that way.
I think our defense was good overall, but our offense was brilliant and made an "OK" defense seem like it wasn't as good as it actually was.

 

[Vol865]

Run defense is good. Pass defense is not. Hoping that gets fixed with the added athleticism resulting in different playcalling in certain situations.

 

[Other_Guy]

No one has complained about the run defense.
Everyone has been ok with the D overall except the SCarjr game. 1 bad game isn't going to change minds. They have seen overall improvement.
The problem everyone has is having is the trash secondary. We aren't sure if it's all Martinez or partially Banks.
Someone is the weak link. We would rather try Martinez 1st.

 

[pimo1]

Lose the right side of the OL? Is Spraggins moving to the left side or what??

My bad I always get Carvin and Spraggins mixed up 75 and 76.. still Wright is going pro...its a huge loss.

 

[joevol33]

It seems that way.
I think our defense was good overall, but our offense was brilliant and made an "OK" defense seem like it wasn't as good as it actually was.

I think our secondary just wasn't that great, and everyone judged the whole defense. Run defense seemed pretty good to me, and a little help and I think the whole unit gets better.

 

[VOLfrombama]

We really had 3 terrible games defensively, statistically speaking. Florida, Bama, and USCjr.

All 3 games we were OBLITERATED in the secondary. With everyone coming back, another year S&C/Nutrition, and some young new talent to raise the competition level, I expect that to get better. Heupfully they can stay healthy back there.

 

[VollerNbham]

Good is a strong word. I think fully healthy all year we would have looked better in the secondary and next year the defense will be better on the field and on paper for 2 reasons.

1. We aren't losing a lot on defense and have a lot of talent coming in.
2. Most likely the offense won't be quite as fast tempo/explosive and this will lead to less defensive snaps.

Not a knock on Milton I'm a big fan and supporter but he runs the offense at a different pace than Hooker. If its true that Wright transfers that's a blow and its gonna be hard to replace the talent we lose on offense. We lose the right side of the Oline on a very right-handed team, We lose at least one of our two tight ends, We lose Hooker, We lose Hyatt and Tillman. We also lost a lot of guys that could have stepped up next year to the portal at WR and RB.

It's possible we have guys ready to step in which is the reason guys did enter the portal. It's possible that we get guys to fill those spots via the portal. History says this is likely to happen but I am not one to assume. All signs point to a dropoff on the offensive side. Not a huge one but a dropoff and that will actually help the defense.

Those guys spent a huge amount of snaps on the field. I wonder if I can find a metric for yards and points per snap. I have a feeling that we would be ranked a lot higher on defense by those metrics.

The offense will slow down some and not be as efficient because of Hookers absence. He was the cog in the wheel that made the quick decisions and only 2 interceptions. Should have been the Heisman WINNER but..... You know.

 

[pimo1]

The offense will slow down some and not be as efficient because of Hookers absence. He was the cog in the wheel that made the quick decisions and only 2 interceptions. Should have been the Heisman WINNER but..... You know.

The USCe game kinda killed that. I agree he was the Cog and should have been in New York but honestly at the time the Award was given out the right guy won based on what had happened to that point. If had beaten USCe and he didn't tear his ACL I think the story and outcome is quite different....but life didn't go that way.