(06-13-2012 06:03 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  ...STINK! I've graded offense, defense, and special teams based on data from Rivals.com and boy did we stink up the place last year!



I used this curve to grade:



Here's what I came up with:
* Ga Tech, Clemson, and FSU can play offense.
* FSU, Va Tech, Miami, UVa and Pitt can play defense.
* FSU can play special teams, too... they just can't beat Wake.
* Syracuse is the only school to get straight F's

Honestly, it looks like 2011 was yet another year where FSU was the best team on paper but did not win their division, much less the conference. The 2nd & 3rd teams both went to BCS bowls, while the #1 team played in the Champs Sports bowl. I just don't get it.

Pitt is pretty good on defense, and if the offense improves just a little (as we believe it will under Chryst) they will contend immediately in the ACC. Syracuse - how in the world did you beat WVU? You guys were really bad last year.

So.... where's the special teams data?

(06-19-2012 02:00 AM)ChrisLords Wrote:  So.... where's the special teams data?

Your wish is my command - added table of special teams data. All but a few teams are in the bottom half of the FBS (not BCS - FBS!)

Is there a blended (offense+defense+special teams)?

SOS seems like a moving target to me. There too many variables.

(06-19-2012 08:41 AM)Wolfman Wrote:  Is there a blended (offense+defense+special teams)?

SOS seems like a moving target to me. There too many variables.

Theoretically everything boils down to yardage. You either gain it - on offense, your kicks (!) and kick returns - or you yield it - on defense, opponent's kicks and your kick coverage. So it could be possible to come up with an average yards per play, regardless of type of play.

My goal, which I hope to get coded before the season begins, is to create a computer model which handles strength of offense, defense, kicking, and kick return units for each team in the FBS. That's a LOT of data to crunch though. Plus, it's easier to find 4-leaf clovers than net field position change yardage on special teams...

(06-19-2012 06:33 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(06-19-2012 02:00 AM)ChrisLords Wrote:  So.... where's the special teams data?

Your wish is my command - added table of special teams data. All but a few teams are in the bottom half of the FBS (not BCS - FBS!)

Holy crap!! 10 F's and 2 D's out of 14 schools!! Interesting that the 2 teams that should be stocked with talent based on their recruiting rankings are 1 and 2 on the list. Maybe they have more talents players on special teams.

Of course, there's more to special teams than just punting yardage and punt return yardage but every ACC team but FSU is losing yardage on change of possession in their punting game. That's ridiculous and not putting yourself in a position to win.

(06-20-2012 12:28 AM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(06-19-2012 06:33 AM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(06-19-2012 02:00 AM)ChrisLords Wrote:  So.... where's the special teams data?

Your wish is my command - added table of special teams data. All but a few teams are in the bottom half of the FBS (not BCS - FBS!)

Holy crap!! 10 F's and 2 D's out of 14 schools!! Interesting that the 2 teams that should be stocked with talent based on their recruiting rankings are 1 and 2 on the list. Maybe they have more talents players on special teams.

Of course, there's more to special teams than just punting yardage and punt return yardage but every ACC team but FSU is losing yardage on change of possession in their punting game. That's ridiculous and not putting yourself in a position to win.

When I was analyzing data from last year, special teams jumped out as the worst football stats for the ACC. I know other Hokie fans have posted about the demise of Beamerball on Gobble Country, etc. - but this indicates it's not just Va Tech.

I may look at special teams again before Summer is over. There must be better stats available,, though it may take some extra digging.

What's up with the one star rating? You guys don't like the poor grades? I just call 'em as I see 'em - and last year, it wasn't pretty.