No total scoring defense is the best measure because that's how many points they score to beat you. There is no other "best" measure around the actual fact of the scoring of the other teams offense.
2018 Blackshirts vs. 2017 Blackshirts
- Thread starter knapplc
- Start date
Redux
Assistant Coach
Mierin
Assistant Coach
One team faces 60 plays and allows 28 points.
Another team faces 80 plays and allows 29 points.
Which team has the better defense?
Redux
Assistant Coach
One defense gives up 500 yards of offense but only allows 21 points because the other team fumbles twice in the red zone and misses a field goal.
Another defense gives up 200 yards of offense but allows 31 points because their offense turned it over deep in their own territory and the special teams gave up two long kick returns.
Which team has the better defense?
junior4949
All-American
Let's let the season play out before we start making these comparisons. I for one think the defense is getting better with each game.
Mierin
Assistant Coach
Another scenario. A few years ago Michigan State had a 9 minute drive in the B1G championship.
It’s theoretically possible for there to be a game with only 7 drives.
One team faces 3 drives and gives up 21 points.
Another team faces 8 drives and gives up 24 points.
Which defense is better?
Try all you want, you can’t just simplify how good a defense is based on points scored alone. There are other factors that matter because the defense also has offense and special teams counterparts that affect it.
It’s theoretically possible for there to be a game with only 7 drives.
One team faces 3 drives and gives up 21 points.
Another team faces 8 drives and gives up 24 points.
Which defense is better?
Try all you want, you can’t just simplify how good a defense is based on points scored alone. There are other factors that matter because the defense also has offense and special teams counterparts that affect it.
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4skers89
All-Conference
It seems like they are improving but Minny and BC don’t make for good measurement. Having good games against Iowa and MSU (both currently ranked) would be confirmation.
Nebfanatic
All-American
OSU is good measurement. We looked tough out there until the end. We made it a rough day for Haskins. We made them punt. I'd say we are improving.
4skers89
All-Conference
It’s the “until the end” part that is troubling. OSU had 480 yards of offense but average 547. Haskins’ 56% completion was also a good sign. I’d like to see more than 1 game against a good opponent. If they can put up a dominating performance against this offense I’ll start believing
If our defense doesn’t come out ready to play, Illinois could put us in a hole quickly.
Nebfanatic
All-American
They are bigger faster stronger, of course by the end they were going to take control. But the fact is we are clearly getting better and its obvious by simply looking at the performance. Minnesota is terrible. I'm not afraid of Illinois in the slightest.
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