Friday, September 23, 2016

25 Questions about Tigers



What is their body of work?

This is a good program of late.  They were terrible from 09-13, winning only 13 games.  Justin Fuente turned the program around and were 19-7 over the last two seasons.  They won 44-41 at the Doyt last year.  They are 2-0 this year with an easy win over an FCS team and Kansas, in Kansas.  They beat Kansas 43-7...OU only beat them by 16.

How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?

They have 29, which is a lot.

Who are their statistical leaders?

Jake Elliott is #5 in FG per game.
Arthur Maulet is #2 in passes defended.
Anthony Miller is #12 in receptions per game
Patrick Taylor is #4 in rushing yards per carry
Jake Elliott is #20 in scoring
Jonathan Cook is #5 in solo tackles
Genard Avery is #9 in TFL

What is their turnover ratio?

They are +4 in two games.  They have recovered all four of their opponent's fumbles, which football data guys will tell you is influenced by luck.

Offense:

 How is their QB play?

He's good.  He's no Paxton Lynch, yet.  His name is Riley Ferguson.  He completes 64% at 11.8 per completion, both of which are really good. His efficiency rating is only #3 in the AAC due to only 5 TDs over 2 INT.

What is their scoring and yards per play?

They are scoring 39 a game but only at 5.5 yards per play.  The first is good, but the second is not.  When there's that kind of disparity, it is usually turnovers, 3rd downs or red zone, and Memphis is nothing special in the last two, so it must be turnovers.

Can they run the ball?


They are 81st in rushing offense.  Most of their runs have come from two guys, one with 8.7 yards per carry and one with 2.9 yards per carry.  Overall, they average 3.9 yards per carry, which is far from great.

Do they pass the ball?

Well, you've seen the QB numbers.  He's completed 41 passes to 12 receivers, but 14 of the 41 have been to Anthony Miller.  The next highest guy has 5.

How is their run/pass balance?

They run on 54% of their plays.

Do they convert on 3rd Down?

They are poor on 3rd down at #99 in FBS.

Do they score in the red zone?

No.  They are only 6 of 9 and 4.7 points per trip.

Did they protect the quarterback?

Not really, they give up sacks on 11% of their pass plays.

Defense:

This is a much different situation.  Their offense has been sort of middling, but the defense has been very effective.  Now, they haven't faced the world's roughest schedule, but in terms of projecting to our game, where do you think BG's offense would rank next to Kansas?  Equal?

Topline: Scoring and yards per play.

They are allowing only 12 PPG, which is 9th in the country.  They are allowing 4.2 yards per play, which is 13th in the country.

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Do they defend the run effectively?

Yes, they do.  They allow 3.9 yards per carry which is 43rd in the country and 115 per game, which is 40th. BG is going to need to win some battles here.  They will not survive if they are forced to a pass-only attack.

Can they be passed on?

They are difficult to pass on.  They are #13 in pass defense efficiency.  They allow 60% completions on 7.5 yards per catch,which is next to nothing.  Also, 1 TD over 3 INT.

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?


They do.  They allow only 29% conversions which is #30 in the country

Do they defend in the red zone?

Well, they have only allowed 2 red zone trips and 1 TD.

Do they pressure the QB?

No, the only have three sacks in 78 attempts.

Special Teams:

Punting?


They are good.  #12 in net punting in FBS.  They average 48 yards per kick and exactly 0

Punt Return?

Actually good.  They have 9 returns in 2 games, which is a lot, at over 10 yards per return.

Placekicking?

He's 5/6 with a long of 50.  Very good.

Wash your hands before eating
Kickoff?

They are very good holding their opponents to starting on the 23.  Their guy has two returns but averages over 30 yards per return.

Kickoff Return?

They start on the 29, which is good.

Miscellaneous: Overall atmospherics and intangibles.

First, they are drawing really well in the Liberty Bowl.  They have had 42K and 34K for their first games.  That's going to be a really good environment.  They are coming off the big Kansas win and be playing with high confidence, while the Falcons are still trying to find their way.

They have Ole Miss next week....so maybe there's a chance this game gets forgotten in their minds.

BG is relatively healthy, unlike the MTSU game.  The Falcons are going to have to move the ball against this defense.  Honestly, this has a chance to look like the score of the Kansas game if BG plays as they have in their first three.

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