15th in pass yards/game allowed.... who would of thunk it?

[nemeth#5]

I know, I know.... we played Navy and Army who rarely pass (77th in rush yards/game)..... but with the first few games of the year I thought we would be towards the bottom of the list in every defensive category..... Since we've gotten rid of BVG, our defense really isn't that bad.....

Just trying to see the glass half full.....

 

[twalsh]

There has been noticeable improvement, which I attribute mostly to simplification. Our young guys on defense are running around trying to make plays, and are making some, instead of overthinking every situation. We don't have the personnel to be a Top 10 defense, but we have the kids to be a top 25 or top 30 defense. If we played like a Top 30 defense all year we'd probably have two or three losses max. That's not great, but its a whole lot better than six.

 

[MTIrish98]

We'll get to find out vs. USC if the improvement is real or not. They looked very good vs. UW on Saturday.

 

[tkirish]

Don't forget the " hurricane " game where passing was non existent. Also playing Navy and Army , two teams that don't really pass. So those stats are definitely skewed. We'll see how good the defense is the next 2 weeks.

 

[NyyorkerND]

Don't forget the " hurricane " game where passing was non existent. Also playing Navy and Army , two teams that don't really pass. So those stats are definitely skewed. We'll see how good the defense is the next 2 weeks.

ND was top 50 in total defense before the Army game. So yes they have been playing better, don't undercut progress. The majority of our defense consists of freshman and sophmores we need to be patient.

 

[Telx1]

Appreciate the sentiment as the defense has improved; but good example of how misleading stats can be. Add an inept University of a Nevada to the three games already mentioned, and #15 is underperforming.

 

[Legendsteve]

Where are they in rush defense? When teams can run against you they pass far less often. The opposite is true as well. As Mark Twain said, there are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damned lies, and statistics.

 

[end_23]

I don't see ND losing another game for the next two years!

 

[NyyorkerND]

Where are they in rush defense? When teams can run against you they pass far less often. The opposite is true as well. As Mark Twain said, there are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damned lies, and statistics.

Trust your eyes then and you'll know the defense is improving. Stats tell lies when you don't watch the games.

 

[end_23]

ND was top 50 in total defense before the Army game. So yes they have been playing better, don't undercut progress. The majority of our defense consists of freshman and sophmores we need to be patient.

I agree with you. 8 & 4 will be back in full effect next season.

 

[Legendsteve]

Stats always tell lies. See Mark Twain. Lol.

 

[NyyorkerND]

I agree with you. 8 & 4 will be back in full effect next season.

I know you're being sarcastic but that did make me laugh. I'll take 8 & 4 next season if I knew we would get 10 plus the following.

 

[deadmanramsey]

Yards don't tell the story as well as efficiency ratings. For example, 300 yards passing isn't so hot if the QB threw it 50 times.

I suspect USC will have their way through the air.

 

[perseverare]

We'll get to find out vs. USC if the improvement is real or not. They looked very good vs. UW on Saturday.

well, it is apparent that opposing WR's are not free to roam unattended in the ND secondary any longer; but it may be USC's WR are not the best test because they will likely be a mismatch for ND's DB's which few other teams can present.