|
|
By the SouthernPigskin.com Staff
We look at what common traits Alabama and Florida share in their respective 10-0 seasons. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.
We hear the pundits, coaches and even fans break down the game every single day; these are the things you have to do to win, these parts of the game are most important. That formula is constantly in flux; it changes year to year. In 2009, at least, here are the common threads linking the top teams together. We took the top two teams in the nation, Florida and Alabama, and identified which statistical traits they share. The Gators and Crimson Tide and Yellow Jackets are a combined 20-0. The numbers are quite telling.
Florida and Alabama are both ranked in the national top 20 in the following categories.
Scoring Defense; Florida 1st (10.5), Alabama 2nd (10.9)
There isn't a more important statistic in all of football. If a defense doesn't give up many points, that team has a very good chance to win. Consistency in this regard is especially key and this is where both of these teams excel. Points are the bottom line.
Turnover Margin; Alabama 8th (+1), Florida 19th (+0.7)
Another crucially important aspect of the game. If teams turn the football over more often than they force their opponent to, they won't be consistently successful. By forcing mistakes and avoiding them, teams can take control of the momentum of games and give their offenses extra chances. A telling statistic, Oklahoma and Florida ranked first and second nationally in this category a year ago. They met for the national championship.
Total Defense; Florida 2nd (233.9), Alabama 3rd (240.8)
Perhaps not quite as important as scoring defense, see the bend-but-don't-break model, but still an obvious key. By limiting offensive production, defenses can give their offense great field position. The benefits are obvious. Charlie Strong and Kirby Smart do great jobs for these two teams.
Opponent 3rd Down Conversion; Florida 3rd (26.8%), Alabama 6th (29.1%)
The key catalyst for defensive success. Third down is the most important situation in football. If a defense can have success here, they won't allow much production or many points. Great defenses excel here; Texas leads the nation in this category and TCU ranks fourth. Three of the top four teams and four of the top six in this category are undefeated. Quite telling.
Rushing Offense; Florida 8th (230.6), Alabama 13th (216.9)
By running the football, teams can control the tempo and the evolution of the game. Running the football gets the offensive line into a groove, keeps the defense fresh and frees up coverages for wide receivers downfield. A reliable ground game sets a physical tone and serves as the catalyst for offensive balance and consistency. Adding further legitimacy to this facet of the game, the ACC's top ranked team, 10-1 Georgia Tech, ranks second in the nation in this category.
Rush Defense; Alabama 2nd (74.3), Florida 11th (94.3)
The goal here is to make opposing offenses one-dimensional with their schemes. By taking away the ground attack, defensive ends can pin their ears back and focus on the pass rush and defensive backs can play more aggressively. The athleticism of both of these teams along the front seven make them nearly impossible to run on.
Opponent Redzone TD Percent; Florida 4th (33.3%), Alabama 8th (36.8%)
A very underrated figure. Needless to say, there is a huge difference in giving up three points and giving up seven. Even if these two defenses allow their opponent to get into the redzone, they toughen up and rarely allow touchdowns. Obviously this number doesn't take into account touchdowns scored from outside of the 20-yard line.
Pass Defense; Florida 2nd (139.6), Alabama 11th (16.5)
By preventing teams from having success downfield, defenses limit the offensive options of their opponents. It cuts the field down to a smaller length, making it easier to defend. The speed and technique of the Gator and Crimson Tide defensive backs mean they don't get beat downfield at all.
Sacks; Florida 10th (29), Alabama 19th (27)
When teams force opposing offenses to rush their decisions via pressure, it does a number of things. Wide receivers don't have time to complete their routes downfield, quarterbacks can't check down through their progressions and sacks force third down and longs which have very low conversion rates. Florida via their front four and Alabama from their 3-4 blitzes constantly bring pressure week to week.
Kickoff Returns; Florida 10th (26.1), Alabama 19th (24.5)
Solid returns flip field position and give your offense a head start on their drives. It seems obvious, but if you only have to go 65 yards instead of 80 it takes a lot of pressure off of the quarterback, offensive line and field position players.
Lou Pinella once said that statistics are a lot like a bikini; they show a lot but not everything. Looking at the above, you have to like what you see.
.....
Share your thoughts on the SouthernPigskin.com Message Boards or email us at
|
Comments
Make Yourself Heard
|
|
