Gophers are top 10 in the country in total defense

[die hard gopher]

Gophers are #10 in the country, and 4th in the Big Ten in total defense with exactly 300 yards allowed per game. Very interesting, wouldn't have thought that. 27th in the country and 6th in the Big Ten in scoring defense.

We have the #2 scoring offense in the Big Ten and #17 nationally and the #45 total offense in the country which is #4 in the Big Ten.

Interesting that if you average our Big Ten and national rankings between total yards and scoring, offensively they are #3 in the Big Ten and #31 nationally but defensively they are #5th in the Big Ten but #18.5 nationally.

So within the Big Ten we are better offensively than defensively but for national standards, we are better defensively than offensively.

 

[PitinoFan]

Imagine how high the ranking would be if they could tackle!

 

[Dano564]

I find this shocking.
May have a large part to do with who our opponents were.

 

[Panthadad2]

Gophers are #10 in the country, and 4th in the Big Ten in total defense with exactly 300 yards allowed per game. Very interesting, wouldn't have thought that. 27th in the country and 6th in the Big Ten in scoring defense.

We have the #2 scoring offense in the Big Ten and #17 nationally and the #45 total offense in the country which is #4 in the Big Ten.

Interesting that if you average our Big Ten and national rankings between total yards and scoring, offensively they are #3 in the Big Ten and #31 nationally but defensively they are #5th in the Big Ten but #18.5 nationally.

So within the Big Ten we are better offensively than defensively but for national standards, we are better defensively than offensively.

Part of the disconnect between total defense (yards) and scoring defense (points) wasn't related to defense at all. The Gophs gave up at least four five? if not more touchdowns on turnovers and special teams earlier in the year.

 

[cncmin]

And yet, the eye test tells me the offense is what will make or break this team in the final games. Let's also remember how bad this D was just over 1 year ago. While it struggles at times (e.g., vs. PSU, first half at Iowa, it remains night and day compared to Robb Smith's D. If the defensive rotation can get a significant upgrade at the DL and LBs in the coming years, watch out. (I think the Gophers secondary has been pretty consistent going back to the Kill years.)