Friday, September 28, 2018

25 Questions that Wreck

What is their body of work?

The Ramblin Wreck
Paul Johnson has coached there for 12 years.  They have won 11 games twice and had a losing record only twice.  This year could be the third.  They are 1-3, with a win over Alcorn State and losses to South Florida, Pitt and Clemson. 

How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?

They have 26 which is a pretty good number.


Who are their statistical leaders?

TaQuon Marshall is #12 in rushing TDs.
Malik Rivera is #10 in INT.

What is their turnover ratio?

They are -2 with 9 turnovers to date.

Offense:

Quick overview.  This is a triple-option, run-oriented team.  We haven't played anyone like this since Georgia Southern.

How is their QB play?

Well, I think he's really good at doing what they want him to do.  He's their leading rusher.  However, he throws only about 14 passes a game, but when he goes complete them they go for 15 yards per completion. Last season, he set the school record for rushing yards by a QB and had the 12th best rushing season in school history.

What was their scoring and yards per play?

They are not getting what they want on offense, that's for sure.  They are averaging 6.1 yards per play, which is 51st in the country, but only 29.8 PPG in terms of scoring.

Can they run the ball?

At 5.9 per rush, they are #14 in the nation.  They are ahead of the other option teams (the service academies, for example) on this measure.

Do they pass the ball?

Not very much.  However, they will throw it when they get you rushing to the ball.  As mentioned, they throw about 14 passes per game and complete 43% of them.  However, they are #16 in the nation in yards per completion.

How is their run/pass balance?

They run on 77% of their plays.

Do they convert on 3rd Down?

They are poor on third down at 37%

Did they score in the red zone?

They are also poor in the redzone at 4.8 points per trip.  They have five whiffs in 18 trips.

Did they protect the quarterback?

No.  They give up sacks on 10.6% of their passing attempts.

Ironic.  A forward pass.
Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play.

So.  That's the bad part.  Now, they have struggled on defense.  They allow 31 PPG which is 93rd and 5.6 yards per play, which is better...in the 80s somewhere.

Do they defend the run effectively?

They do not.  They are 103rd in the nation with 4.9 yards per carry.

Can they be passed on?

Well, its better.  They are 73rd in the nation in pass efficiency defense.  They allow 66% completions at 9.9 yards per completion...which shows passes completed but hear the line of scrimmage.

Did they get off the field on 3rd down?

They are not great, at 42%.

Do they defend in the red zone?

No.  They allow 6.1 points per trip.

Did they pressure the QB?

No.  They get sacks on 3.6% of their pass defenses.

Special Teams:

Punting?
Bobby Dodd

Their net punting is 51st in the nation.  He gets good distance, but gives up 11 yards per return.

Punt Return?

They average 9 a return for 7 returns, which is pretty good.

Placekicking?

He's 1-3 with two misses over 50.  He was 5-6 last year.  Career long of 42.  They have 10 4th down attempts as a team

Kickoff?

They are awful...opponents start on their 32.  They give up the 2nd highest return yards in the nation.

Kickoff Return?

They start on their 25 like civilized people.


Nattily-attired alum
Bobby Jones
So, honestly.  If you had one team you would not want to play with our team right now, it would be Georgia Tech.  They play a style that on paper appears to be the worst matchup possible for the Falcons, one of the 3 worst rush defenses in the country.  It just has the potential to be really bad.

Coach sounded confident about defending the option, but I think that was more for his guys.  BG is tackling poorly and those missed tackles are often 5 yards upfield anyway.  If they don't play sound football, Georgia Tech will run wild.  In particular, GT features a running QB, which has been deadly to BG.

Every week we say that BG can help that by keeping the offense on the field.  Georgia Tech is not a great defense, but BG will need to run and pass the ball effectively.  This week Coach says we're going to be a passing team to set up the run...but none of it will work if the offensive line doesn't win more battles up front.

This is a tough one.  You have a team that is having no success making a trip like this into humid, 85 degree weather.  We'll keep our fingers crossed that maybe we get a couple breaks and can actually move the ball enough to stay in the game.

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