StatTiger 3,188 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 The following is a breakdown of Auburn's defensive averages, comparing the time period of 2003 thru 2008 to 2009 thru 2014. Games: 76 from 2003-2008 and 78 from 2009-2014 Yards per play: 4.76 from 2003-2008 and 5.63 from 2009-2014 Run-Defense: 116.5 YPG on 3.48 yards per att from 2003-2008 159.9 YPG on 4.31 yards per att from 2009-2014 Pass-Efficiency Defense: 112.8 rating from 2003-2008 130.3 rating from 2009-2014 Auburn's next defensive coordinator must place a premium on defending the run. Securing the run-defense will create more obvious passing situations, which should improve the pass-defense. As of late, opponents have been able to maintain offensive balance, placing more stress on the Auburn defense. First-down defense (yards per play): 5.28 yards per play from 2003-2008 6.05 yards per play from 2009-2014 Third-down defense (Conversion Pct): 32.9 percent from 2003-2008 35.7 percent from 2009-2014 Three & Out Percentage: 35.1 percent from 2003-2008 28.3 percent from 2009-2014 It all begins on first-down, where Auburn has struggled the past 5-6 seasons. Improving production on first-down will improve production on third-down, creating more "3 & out" series. Big Plays Allowed (Plays of 30+ yards): 1 every 48.3 snaps defended from 2003-2008 1 every 35.7 snaps defended from 2009-2014 From 2003-2008 Auburn surrendered 99 plays of 30-yards or more, increasing to 154 from 2009-2014. This is another primary area of concern. Though the big plays surrendered from 2003-2014 only accounted for 2.4 percent of the snaps defended, it produced over 20 percent of the yardage surrendered. Improving pass-defense (coverage), will help limit the number of big plays allowed. Take 4 big plays away from the 24 allowed this season and Auburn is No. 53 in total defense than No. 60. Take 6 away from this season and Auburn is No. 40 in total defense this season. Red Zone Defense: 73.3% scoring and 46.7% TD Pct from 2003-2008 81.0% scoring and 58.0% TD Pct from 2009-2014 Turnover Ratio: 1 every 36.2 plays defended from 2003-2008 1 every 43.0 plays defended from 2009-2014 From 2003-2014, forced-turnovers have been worth 3.7 points, accounting for 21 percent of Auburn's scoring. From 1996-2014, Auburn has won over 86 percent of their games, when they won the turnover battle. Tackles for Loss: 1 every 9.5 snaps defended from 2003-2008 1 every 11.6 snaps defended from 2009-2014 The TFL category is normally an indicator of winning or losing the line of scrimmage battle. From 1996-2014, Auburn has won over 81 percent of their games, when they don't lose the TFL battle. Touchdown Ratio: 1 every 37.0 snaps defended from 2003-2008 1 every 22.3 snaps defended from 2009-2014 Possessions Per Game Defended: 12.2 possessions defended per game from 2003-2008 12.6 possessions defended per game from 2009-2014 Not much of a difference in the number of possessions defended per game, which shows Auburn current style of offense doesn't affect the number of possessions defended by the Auburn defense. Plays Defended per Game: 62.3 snaps defended per game from 2003-2008 70.5 snaps defended per game from 2009-2014 This equates to an extra 98.4 snaps defended over the course of a 12-game season or basically an extra game. If Auburn can improve their 1st down and 3rd down defense, it will cut into the number of plays defended per game. In the end, it is up to the defense to get off the field in a timely manner, without allowing the opponent to score. Quality of Opponent: It is important to consider opposing offenses have improved dramatically over the past 10-years. Holding opponents to under 300-yards and under 20-points is a rare occurrence, unless the opponent is from a weak conference or non-FBS Division. Of the 76 offenses faced from 2003-2008, the competition averaged 363.0 YPG for the season and Auburn held them to -18.3% below their season average. Of the 78 offenses faced from 2009-2014, the competition averaged 408.6 YPG for the season and Auburn held them to -2.9% below their season average. Holding the opponent to under 350-yards rather than 300-yards is the more reasonable standard and holding the opponent to under 25-points rather than 20-points is a more realistic standard. The next Auburn defensive coordinator will likely go back to a 4-3 scheme, placing a heavy emphasis on run-defense. Securing the run-defense will allow most everything else to fall into place. From 2003-2014, Auburn is 80-11, when holding their opponent to under 145-yards rushing, allowing an average of 15.3 PPG during those 91 games. War Eagle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aubaseball 2,602 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Just watched the game breakdown by Cole Cubelic on al.com. It amazes me how someone watches film and notices the deficiencies right off the bat. The players have to watch the same film and get pointed out the mistakes but never correct them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBAU83 212 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Thanks Stat, great work as usual. I hope someone on the staff (unless it is you already) looks at these type numbers and works to make the right improvements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WDG 109 Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Who if any one is working with the non-defense to get the ready for Wisconsin ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N2AUtigers 5 Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Who if any one is working with the non-defense to get the ready for Wisconsin ? The last six games felt like no one. . Why break the streak? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1auburn1 1,120 Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Who if any one is working with the non-defense to get the ready for Wisconsin ? The last six games felt like no one. . Why break the streak? I'm beginning to like our chances! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aucanucktiger 1,793 Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Decrease big plays allowed (a tall order and long conversation) and get QB head hunters to pass rush (which also requires a DC with judgment when to blitz or not). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wareagleguy 1,393 Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Great info Stat, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarTim 3,456 Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Thanks Stat. Great stuff as per your usual...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weagl1 1,784 Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 Just hard to believe with our history of great defenses that we have gotten as bad as we are. We need someone to turn this thing around! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milehighfan 1,240 Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Whoever becomes DC I just want them to impress upon the players, you don't produce, you don't play. It doesn't matter if you are a senior or what. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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