Experience Quantified

Like most people who are serious college football fans, I turn only to Phil Steele for my pre-season reading.  He has most analysis and facts than any other publication, and is the perfect place for the semi-obsessive minutiae wallowing fan to land.

I found some interesting information on experience in this year's publication, page 311, if you happen to have it.  A few of the highpoints:

• BG is the least experienced team in the MAC and 118th out of 120 in the FBS.  Our experience points (a blended Steele formula), is 37, and OU, the next least experienced team, is 53.7.
• We are returned on 21.2% of our offensive yards, the lowest amount in FBS.
• We return only 43% of our tackles, lowest in the conference by 13%.
• We have only 43 line starts returning.

As Falcon fans, this is the most serious thing facing the team as it enters this year.  It dominated the interview with Coach Clawson that we looked at yesterday, and it will dominate all the pre-season hype.

It does not have to be predictive, of course.  Young teams can surprise.   It helps to see how young we are, though.  Falcon fans, just like any other fans, are not known for patience.  This year, I think we should be ready for anything, and hopeful of a team that surprises us and comes around for the MAC season.