Big plays made vs. big plays given up

[sdillon500]

David Ubben over at ESPN has a decent breakdown of each Big XII team's big play potential and how they correlated to wins last year.

Can your defense stop explosive offenses? - Big 12 Blog - ESPN

Big plays ... Do they equal points? - Big 12 Blog - ESPN

Basically, the first post looks at how good each defense is at stopping big plays (defined as plays over 20 yards). The second post looks at how good your team is at creating big plays.

Defensively, ISU ranks first (tied with Texas) for giving up the least amount of big plays in 2010. A little surprising, to say the least.

Offensively, ISU ranks last (tied with Kansas) for creating plays over 20 yards. Not surprising at all.

Overall, ISU had an offense-defense differential of -7 in big plays gained vs big plays given up. Take a look, it's an interesting read.

 

[jdoggivjc]

David Ubben over at ESPN has a decent breakdown of each Big XII team's big play potential and how they correlated to wins last year.

Can your defense stop explosive offenses? - Big 12 Blog - ESPN

Big plays ... Do they equal points? - Big 12 Blog - ESPN

Basically, the first post looks at how good each defense is at stopping big plays (defined as plays over 20 yards). The second post looks at how good your team is at creating big plays.

Defensively, ISU ranks first (tied with Texas) for giving up the least amount of big plays in 2010. A little surprising, to say the least.

Offensively, ISU ranks last (tied with Kansas) for creating plays over 20 yards. Not surprising at all.

Overall, ISU had an offense-defense differential of -7 in big plays gained vs big plays given up. Take a look, it's an interesting read.

Actually, it's not all that surprising - I don't remember the defense giving up all that many big plays. Our problem is offenses would "nickel and dime" our defense to death (gaining 5-10 yards per play). While our defense didn't necessarily give up the big play, offenses know they didn't need the big play to move itself down the field against our defense, which couldn't get itself off the field.

 

[sdillon500]

Actually, it's not all that surprising - I don't remember the defense giving up all that many big plays. Our problem is offenses would "nickel and dime" our defense to death (gaining 5-10 yards per play). While our defense didn't necessarily give up the big play, offenses know they didn't need the big play to move itself down the field against our defense, which couldn't get itself off the field.

That's a good point. I wonder if this is due more to the players we have at the moment, or Wally's bend-don't-break defensive strategy.

 

[acgclone]

I like not giving up big plays on D. Bend but don't break has worked well for Iowa over the last 10 years.

 

[jdoggivjc]

That's a good point. I wonder if this is due more to the players we have at the moment, or Wally's bend-don't-break defensive strategy.

I'm going to give Burnham the benefit of the doubt and say it's the players, particularly the defensive linemen, that are the issue. Burnham's far too respected and his defenses at South Florida were considered some of the best in the nation with players that aren't THAT much better than the kind he can get to come to ISU. Give him a few years and I believe that will change.

 

[Clone9]

I think it is Wally's strategy, and I don't think it will change much once we get better players. Obviously, if we have better players our number will be better, but overall the trend will still be there.

Make the other team take their time down the field and then tighten it up when they get in/near the red zone. Make them kick field goals.

 

[jaretac]

I'm going to give Burnham the benefit of the doubt and say it's the players, particularly the defensive linemen, that are the issue. Burnham's far too respected and his defenses at South Florida were considered some of the best in the nation with players that aren't THAT much better than the kind he can get to come to ISU. Give him a few years and I believe that will change.

Well I don't see how you can't say it is from the bend not break philosophy of Wally. That isn't to say that he is doing a poor job. Our defense will continue to get even better as we bring in better players. Also have to keep in mind that the offense ability to move the ball and score plays a big factor in defense as well.

 

[sdillon500]

I'm going to give Burnham the benefit of the doubt and say it's the players, particularly the defensive linemen, that are the issue. Burnham's far too respected and his defenses at South Florida were considered some of the best in the nation with players that aren't THAT much better than the kind he can get to come to ISU. Give him a few years and I believe that will change.

Yeah, I don't want to discredit Wally at all, because I think he's done a great job with a thin lineup. Personally, I like a more aggressive defense, but I understand that ISU doen't necessarily have the personnel right now. I think as ISU gets legitimate Big XII caliber two & three deep players in the next two years, the defense should improve vastly.

On the offense though...yeesh. I thought this was definitely going to be the more experienced unit last year.

 

[dualthreat]

I like not giving up big plays on D. Bend but don't break has worked well for Iowa over the last 10 years.

i preferred wayne bolt's philosophy of bend and break

 

[cloneu]

i preferred wayne bolt's philosophy of bend and break

He liked to mix it up. It was half bend and break, and half just break.

I hope the defense will increase the pressue on other teams when they have more talent and depth to do so. I am content with how the defense played last year considering the personel.