8 games in 66% of the regular season is done and I decided to look at some things.
A big talking point all year is how bad the defense has gotten, and it is for sure "worse" then it has been the past 3 years. But is it as bad as it seems? The answer in my opinion is, NO.
Here are a few key stats that show the defense isn't really "that" bad (all rankings/stats are from TeamRankings.com as I like that they filter out stats from FCS opponents since that can greatly skew overall stats, I wish they could filter out non p4 stats so people could see how much OSU has actually fallen back in conference play)
25th in yards per play allowed at 4.8
18th in yards per rush at 3.4
33rd in yards per pass attempt
32nd in points per game
Overall this is a good defense not elite like it has been but still good
However this is 2 key stats that make it look way worse (1 isn't the defenses fault)
80th in 3rd down conversion percentage allowed at 41.03%!!! This one is more on Winks 3rd down play calls then it is on the players at this point. Like people have mentioned over blitzing on 3rd down or lining Graham up outside has allowed for to many easy 3rd down pickups because he isn't putting his elite players in the spots for them to be elite. Also tackling has definitely taken a step back (my guess this has to do with the amount of injuries happening this year and them going lighter in practice possibly). this also allows opposing offenses to have extended drives making it harder and harder to get the needed stop or just keep the same intensity through out an entire game.
followed by a Turnover Margin of -6, the amount of TOs the offense has had has stuck the defense back on the field with their backs against the wall and with little rest to many times.
All of this combined with several injuries to starters or rotation players has made things look a bit worse then they are. It does give me hope for the rest of the season or at least for next year that younger players are getting time, new or younger players are starting to develop and play a lot better Hill, Guy, Barham, Hillman (before injury, anyone have an update here?), Rolder, Brandt, Etta etc.
Was curious of others takes on the defense once you see the actual rankings in front of you? outside of the glaring 3rd down conversion percentage allowed that is.
A big talking point all year is how bad the defense has gotten, and it is for sure "worse" then it has been the past 3 years. But is it as bad as it seems? The answer in my opinion is, NO.
Here are a few key stats that show the defense isn't really "that" bad (all rankings/stats are from TeamRankings.com as I like that they filter out stats from FCS opponents since that can greatly skew overall stats, I wish they could filter out non p4 stats so people could see how much OSU has actually fallen back in conference play)
25th in yards per play allowed at 4.8
18th in yards per rush at 3.4
33rd in yards per pass attempt
32nd in points per game
Overall this is a good defense not elite like it has been but still good
However this is 2 key stats that make it look way worse (1 isn't the defenses fault)
80th in 3rd down conversion percentage allowed at 41.03%!!! This one is more on Winks 3rd down play calls then it is on the players at this point. Like people have mentioned over blitzing on 3rd down or lining Graham up outside has allowed for to many easy 3rd down pickups because he isn't putting his elite players in the spots for them to be elite. Also tackling has definitely taken a step back (my guess this has to do with the amount of injuries happening this year and them going lighter in practice possibly). this also allows opposing offenses to have extended drives making it harder and harder to get the needed stop or just keep the same intensity through out an entire game.
followed by a Turnover Margin of -6, the amount of TOs the offense has had has stuck the defense back on the field with their backs against the wall and with little rest to many times.
All of this combined with several injuries to starters or rotation players has made things look a bit worse then they are. It does give me hope for the rest of the season or at least for next year that younger players are getting time, new or younger players are starting to develop and play a lot better Hill, Guy, Barham, Hillman (before injury, anyone have an update here?), Rolder, Brandt, Etta etc.
Was curious of others takes on the defense once you see the actual rankings in front of you? outside of the glaring 3rd down conversion percentage allowed that is.
