Playing defense becoming more of a challenge

[StatTiger 3,153]

Average points scored by SEC teams:

2000: 26.4

2001: 27.7

2002: 25.6

2003: 27.4

2004: 25.0

2005: 24.1

2006: 26.5 (Games shortened by clock rule change)

2007: 30.3 (Rules basically changed back)

2008: 25.6

2009: 28.5

2010: 30.9

2011: 27.3

2012: 32.8 (Should drop slightly with conference games under way)

Total number of teams averaging at least 30 PPG at the FBS level:

2000: 37

2001: 33

2002: 36

2003: 34

2004: 31

2005: 39

2006: 21

2007: 47

2008: 36

2009: 33

2010: 42

2011: 44

2012: 53

[AU64 10,122]

Good numbers Stat.....and I guess if you showed the trend in yardage figures it would be even more significant. I see that 70 teams are averaging more than 400 ypg on offense...and a couple dozen averaging over 500.

Teams like Arky running up 500 yards and only scoring 10 points are not that uncommon these days. Saw an Interesting piece on NHHU offense with suggestion that something should be done to slow the game down because of safety concerns. JMO but I expect the reasons for raising that issue is due to safety of the DC's jobs.

[eibua12 81]

I would be interested to see the scoring numbers broken down from a NON AQ and AQ persective. I think the paradoy is catching up again and we are getting teams that normally didn't score, scoring more.

I also think it has nothing to do with the style of the offense but the pace of play. Alabama runs a pro set but runs it with no huddle or hurry up (Marv Levy say yuuuup!) What is the difference in time to score from Oregon (426 in 5 games, 2753 yards) and UGA (336 plays in 5 games, 2680) or Alabama (316 plays in 5 games, 2005). With the understanding the opps and SOS are much different.

[AUenginerd 13]

Saw an Interesting piece on NHHU offense with suggestion that something should be done to slow the game down because of safety concerns. JMO but I expect the reasons for raising that issue is due to safety of the DC's jobs.

Yeah, it was Sabear complaining. And you're right, it's to protect his label as defensive guru.

[BornAU76 350]

Saw an Interesting piece on NHHU offense with suggestion that something should be done to slow the game down because of safety concerns. JMO but I expect the reasons for raising that issue is due to safety of the DC's jobs.

Yeah, it was Sabear complaining. And you're right, it's to protect his label as defensive guru.

Heard the same thing. He's used the guise of 'safety concerns' to voice his opinion on these speed offense teams (Oregon, us past few years, etc.).

[dp4au 2]

NHHU offense has certainly had an effect on the number of plays in a game and therefore the points scored. There are differing opnions on the reasons behind the call to slow the game, personnaly I belive both are valid, safety is an issue though, and should be considered. You can only condition to a point, and while the defense has to react across the field the offense has the ability to focus energy. a tired player is more likely to ne injured.

[AuburnGrad97 37]

Saw an Interesting piece on NHHU offense with suggestion that something should be done to slow the game down because of safety concerns. JMO but I expect the reasons for raising that issue is due to safety of the DC's jobs.

Yeah, it was Sabear complaining. And you're right, it's to protect his label as defensive guru.

And because it was him, be on the lookout for some new rules next year to "protect" players by regulating the speed at which an offense can operate. Sabear always gets his way, especially with the SEC commish in his pocket.

[CleCoTiger 1,957]

Good numbers Stat.....and I guess if you showed the trend in yardage figures it would be even more significant. I see that 70 teams are averaging more than 400 ypg on offense...

When I was a kid way back before the internet (yes kids, there was such a time), I used to check the game stats in the sports section of the Sunday paper for the football games of the day before. The thing I remember is that back then when you saw a team that totaled over 400 yards of offense in a single game, it jumped out...'cause it wasn't that routine. Now it's ho-hum. More than that, if a team totals less than 400 yards of offense in a game these days, it's almost like "Hey, what's wrong with the offense?"

Times...they change.

[Gibbon7 0]

Saw an Interesting piece on NHHU offense with suggestion that something should be done to slow the game down because of safety concerns. JMO but I expect the reasons for raising that issue is due to safety of the DC's jobs.

Yeah, it was Sabear complaining. And you're right, it's to protect his label as defensive guru.

Heard the same thing. He's used the guise of 'safety concerns' to voice his opinion on these speed offense teams (Oregon, us past few years, etc.).

So where is Sabear's evidence that uptempo no huddle offeses cause more defensive injuries? I believe that is just his wishful thinking.

[alexava 6,946]

This is from a coach who says he wants his players to be so physically dominant over opponents he makes "his ass quit". Now he says the pace of play is causing injuries.

[Chaotic_zx 721]

I feel that the offensive production rising is due to a few things. The defensive coordinators have yet to catch up to spread philosophy and haven't fully recruited to stop it yet. The most prevalent reason IMO is piss poor defensive play across the nation. Good defense is a dying art. I get excited now days when I see an open field tackle where the defender isn't diving at the offensive player's feet.