***Team Stats/Rankings - through 11/14***

[Clyde Tester]

Total Team Stats - including national ranking as of games 11/14/09 – the number in parenthesis is the ranking improvement/decline from the previous week (+ is improvement, - is worse). There are 120 teams included in the statistical rankings. As always, if you see any errors please let me know in this thread or via PM and I’ll make any necessary edits. All stats from http://www.cfbstats.com/.

One quick thought – it has been suggested that this year’s schedule is tougher than last so the stats are tough to compare. I agree with the sentiment but with a couple of caveats. First, as the season progresses the Big Ten continues to appear to be more mediocre IMO. Second, it would stand to reason then that against a lesser opponent (which both Illinois and SDSU should have been) the Gopher stats would improve – maybe even greatly improve. Has that been the case? Offensively their rankings have gotten worse nearly across the board (3rd down conversions and TOP (secondary stats) being the exception).

Some quick #s – if you combine the Illinois and SDSU games:
- Scoring Offense is unchanged (+8 v Illinois; -8 v SDSU)
- Rushing Offense is down 4 spots
- Passing Offense is down 12 spots
- Total Offense is down 11 spots
- 3rd down conversions are up 19 spots
- TOP is up 11 spots

So for those who are pointing to the tougher SOS as the reason for the statistical woes, please just stop. The Gophers have struggled statistically against teams both good and bad – they are equal opportunity in their offensive ineptitude!

Defensively their rankings have improved – wow, I’d sure hope so against SDSU. Sarcasm aside, I am glad to see some improvement in the defensive rankings after the last game in which the defense allowed no TDs (a shutout is a good sign regardless of the opponent).

OFFENSE
Scoring Offense ---------23.5 ppg - #88 (-8) **** 2008 – 23.2 ppg - #83
Rushing Offense --------102 ypg - #107 (-1) **** 2008 – 103 ypg - #105
Passing Offense ---------202 ypg - #78 (-9) **** 2008 – 219 ypg - #55
Total Offense ------------304 ypg - #112 (-6) **** 2008 – 322 ypg - #91
3rd Down Conversions -----37% - #74 (-15) **** 2008 – 34% - #96
Time of Possession -----28:40 mpg - #95 (+12) **** 2008 – 30:00 mpg - #65

DEFENSE
Scoring Defense-----------25.7 ppg - #70 (+11) **** 2008 – 25 ppg - #61
Rushing Defense ----------155 ypg - #73 (+15) **** 2008 – 143 ypg - #68
Passing Defense -----------226 ypg - #71 (+2) **** 2008 – 240 ypg - #94
Total Defense --------------392 ypg - #79 (+14) **** 2008 – 384 ypg - #81
3rd down conv allowed – 47% - #111 (+5) **** 2008 – 39% - #61

MISC
Penalty Yardage -------57.7 ypg - #72 (+2) **** 2008 – 53.5 ypg - #76


BIG TEN CONFERENCE (including conference games only – even though the Gophers stats haven’t changed after playing an FCS opponent, other Big Ten teams may have moved up/down in the rankings – the +/- number now listed is the total movement since the Illinois game)

OFFENSE
Scoring Offense ------25.6 ppg - #4 (+3) **** 2008 - 17 ppg - #10
Rushing Offense ------104 ypg - #9 (nc) **** 2008 – 78 ypg - #11
Passing Offense ------204 ypg - #7 (nc) **** 2008 – 204 ypg - #6
Total Offense ---------308 ypg - #11 (-1) **** 2008 – 282 ypg - #11
Time of Possession ---28:19 mpg - #10 (-1) **** 2008 – 29:07 mpg - #7

DEFENSE
Scoring Defense -----28.9 ppg - #8 (nc) **** 2008 – 26.3 ppg - #8
Rushing Defense ----163 ypg - #7 (+2) **** 2008 – 165 ypg -#8
Passing Defense -----252 ypg - #10 (nc) **** 2008 – 225 ypg - #9
Total Defense --------416 ypg - #9 (nc) **** 2008 – 390 ypg - #9

MISC
Penalties -------60.7 ypg - #11 (nc) **** 2008 – 56.5 ypg - #10

 

[gophermartin]

What does it say about the coaching staff that the Gophers will end up no worse than #7 in conference(I think)...yet only 1 statistical category is #7 of lower?

I guess ST...er...SForces....must be the difference.

Thoughts?

GM

 

[monk10]

What does it say about the coaching staff that the Gophers will end up no worse than #7 in conference(I think)...yet only 1 statistical category is #7 of lower?

I guess ST...er...SForces....must be the difference.

Thoughts?

GM

I had that same thought. I was wondering whether those rankings should be included. Though we have gotten exposed the last couple of weeks with MSU and SDSU running wild.

 

[Governor Sibley]

Most stats are dumb and not terribly revealing.

Exceptions include: points allowed, turnovers and time of possession.

 

[Clyde Tester]

Most stats are dumb and not terribly revealing.

In and of themselves that may be true. But when looking at comparative rankings (whether nationally or against their "peers" in the Big Ten) they can tell us a lot. I think to dismiss them without evaluation or thought is a mistake.

 

[Clyde Tester]

It's a good thought re: Special Teams - I agree that could be a factor. I'll see if I can pull anything together that would help - special teams stats are often listed individually rather than by team so it might be tougher. Stand by please.

 

[thailleagle]

It's amazing how horrible our Offense really is.......

I remember when the Big Ten back in like 2003-2005 had NW, MSU & MINN all in the Top 10 in the Nation at Offense with all 3 teams averaging 500+yds a game.......

 

[Clyde Tester]

Most stats are dumb and not terribly revealing.

Exceptions include: points allowed, turnovers and time of possession.

Gophers Turnover margin: -2 (#72 nationally); Conference turnover margin -1 (#6)
Points Allowed: 25.7 ppg (#70 nationally); Conference points allowed 28.9 ppg (#8)
TOP: 28:40 mpg (#95); Conference TOP 28:19 mpg (#10)

I think many would argue those are the only relevant stats, but there they are at your request.

 

[Clyde Tester]

Here's an interesting stat....

Sacks allowed - Gophers avg. 3 sacks allowed per game - #115 nationally
Conference sacks allowed - 3.29 - #10 in conference

At face value 3 sacks per game doesn't seem so horrible - but when I see it's #115 nationally I cringe.

 

[Clyde Tester]

Including all games Stoudermire averages 24.85 yards per kickoff return - that ranks 4th in the conference.
In Conference games he averages 25.45 yards per return - ranking 5th in the conference.

I can only see the individual leaders on the cfbstats site.

 

[gophermartin]

KO ave, Net KO and Punt ave and net Punt would be good ones too.

Although after this weekend I'm sure they went up.

Thanks CT.