Note on creating a short field

[StatTiger 3,188]

During Auburn's last 71 offensive possessions, only 4 began on the opponent's side of the field (5.6%).

The trend...

From 1993-2014, 15.2% of Auburn's offensive possessions began on the opponent's side of the field.

From 2009-2014, 11.3% of Auburn's offensive possessions began on the opponent's side of the field.

From 2012-2014, 9.6% of Auburn's offensive possessions began on the opponent's side of the field.

Auburn's last 71 possessions reveals how low this recent trend has become.

Scoring:

From 1993-2014, Auburn has scored on 29.9% of their possessions beginning on their side of the field and 64.2%, when starting on the opponent's side of the field.

When it comes to Auburn's offense under Gus Malzahn, the team has scored on 39.9% of their possessions beginning on their side of the field. The offense has scored on 69.0% of their possessions starting on the opponent's side of the field.

As productive as the offense has been under Malzahn, imagine what the scoring output would be if his offense played on a shorter field more often.

Looking at the defensive side of the football:

It's primarily up to the defense and special teams to create a short field. With this in mind, consider the following...

Last season Auburn had the opponent at least 75-yards away from the end zone on 131 occasions to start a possession. The opponent averaged 5.93 yards per play during those possessions and Auburn forced a turnover on 10 possessions. The opponent scored on 27.5% of those possessions

In contrast.... the 2006 defense placed their opponent at least 75-yards away from scoring, 89 times. During those 89 possessions, the opponent averaged 4.78 yards per play and the Auburn defense forced a turnover 13 times. The opponent scored on 19.1% of those possessions.

That's a difference of over 1-yard per play and a turnover ratio of 1 every 13.1 possessions to 1 every 6.8 possessions. It also includes a major difference in scoring percentage with the 2013 defense allowing a score 27.5% of the time, facing a lengthy field and only 19.1% during 2006.

[LKEEL75 2,566]

Intersting stats. How do those percentages compare to the 2012 season where we sucked it up and had some dumb a~~ coordinators?

[phillyeagle 130]

If you're going to get the ball inside the 50, you usually have to stop the other team inside the 10 or get a turnover. When we score, it's going to be rare to stop the other team inside the 10 after a kickoff. As for forced turnovers, that's something I think we'd all love to see more of.

[JDUBB4AU 5,121]

Stat is just awesome.

[hutchids 227]

Somewhat depressing stat right there

[AUbritt 611]

I like this one. Come on, D!

[Rednilla 5,391]

If you're going to get the ball inside the 50, you usually have to stop the other team inside the 10 or get a turnover.

That's precluding a great deal of special teams play; big returns and blocked kicks also start drives on the opponent's side of the field pretty frequently. This is why I believe many teams focus on their special teams too little, and one of the things I loved about Tuberville. Remember when Carnell Williams had a coverage guy come flying down the field and hit him just after he'd fielded the punt, only to bounce off as Caddy picked up like 10-15 yards?

[AU Is Gold 410]

These are some of the most intriguing stats so far. Good Job StatTiger!