Offense statistical observation over past 4 years.

TheBigShaft

Redshirt
Jun 6, 2017
109
0
0
Since 2014, our total offensive yardage output has decreased every year.

2014: 514 yards per game
2015: 461
2016: 440
2017: 413

Our best defense, by far, has been this 2017 squad.

I don’t know what it means offensively, but the trend is problematic. We are certainly very average offensively this year and it’s clear why. But a 4 year trend, damn.
 

karlchilders.sixpack

All-Conference
Jun 5, 2008
20,164
4,145
113
I 'd say, run it per play.

We have clearly slowed the pace, to shorten the game.

Had more turnovers too (I'm sure).
 

dannyripms

Redshirt
Sep 3, 2013
847
1
18
it's just due us not being as good offensively as that year. 2015 & 2016 was bad due to Dan trotting Holloway out there. Once he went with a train we started winning. The offensive line was better but this group has a chance to be better. The wide receivers were obviously better but with the group we have coming in they can be better as well. I think the next 3 -4 years could be our best years. We HAVE to capitalize on it in recruiting to keep it up. We need to stay in top 20 every year with a class in the top 15 here and there. We could really be lethal if we do.
 

shotgunDawg

Redshirt
Nov 13, 2011
2,035
0
0
It should spike again next year.

The main difference is that each year between 2014 and now the quality of our WRs (big plays) has decreased.

I would argue that while overall yards are down, our OL is better which makes us more effective against elite teams.

With Guidry, Todd, Dear, Mixon, Couch, Thomas and anything we get from a true FR next year, our WRs will be back at or better than the 2014 level.

We also run the ball more now which means faster clock and less plays. Offensive officiantcy is likely up though.
 

msstatelp1

All-Conference
Aug 21, 2012
2,028
1,166
113
The only stat that really matters is what's on the scoreboard at the end of the game.
 

bulldognation

All-Conference
Jan 26, 2004
3,726
1,378
113
Could you do a side-by-side of those statistics against the Crxxm years?

Thanks, I'll hang up and listen.
 

Hankp22

Redshirt
Oct 17, 2012
1,060
0
0
Total yardage production does not equal efficiency

For example, in some of those games, production gets skewed. More plays are run, lesser opponents result in offensive bursts, or the defense / special teams scores points resulting in a conservative offensive approach.

There are many ways to break down those numbers. At the end of the day, efficiency > production.

Our offensive philosophy has toned down a bit this year. We're playing more powerful football. We're running less risky plays. And we're not turning the ball over.

Playing by that philosophy results in less yardage production in my opinion. But it results in putting us in the best position to succeed.

Pace of play and control of tempo are the two most important factors in this years football team. I think Mullen realizes what he has on the defensive side and has changed his philosophy offensively somewhat. He plays for field position and pace of play.
 
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TheBigShaft

Redshirt
Jun 6, 2017
109
0
0
I thought this was the case as well. But it’s not true.

We HAVE shortened the game BUT yards per play:

2014: 6.7
2015: 6.5
2016: 6.1
2017: 5.5

Our success this year has been due to incredible improvement in both special teams and defense. We really are an average offense. Elite on D and very good on special teams.
 

TheBigShaft

Redshirt
Jun 6, 2017
109
0
0
The biggest difference is yards per play allowed defensively. It’s night and day.

It’s just an observation. Some of y’all must be Mullen’s sidepiece/sugar baby. I can throw out a million stats that show why this team is better than the two prior. I simply pointed out why this team is not a playoff contender. It’s the declining offensive production over the past four years.

I also agree it’s a change in philosophy. It’s a return to MSU ball control football.
 

Bulldogg31

Redshirt
Dec 9, 2013
8,263
0
0
The biggest difference is yards per play allowed defensively. It’s night and day.

It’s just an observation. Some of y’all must be Mullen’s sidepiece/sugar baby. I can throw out a million stats that show why this team is better than the two prior. I simply pointed out why this team is not a playoff contender. It’s the declining offensive production over the past four years.

I also agree it’s a change in philosophy. It’s a return to MSU ball control football.

I think Ta'amu can produce for you going forward but you're gonna need to improve the OL. Also, 17 off.
 

kired

All-Conference
Aug 22, 2008
7,029
2,358
113
It's not a decline over years --- it's a lack of putting all the pieces together again. We have no WRs this year. Everyone knows we're running the ball, and we're still averaging almost 250 yards per game rushing (we're about 450 yards away from an all time MSU rushing record with 2 games left). Our passing game is embarrassing. A healthy Mixon has a lot of potential, we need Todd to become a deep threat, getting Dear back helps... and whatever new recruits we're bringing in can't hurt. But we're not going to put up high offensive numbers without quality WRs, and we don't have them this year.

2014: great dual threat QB, great RB, great WRs, veteran OL with three quality seniors starting

2015: great dual threat QB, no RB, great WRs, poor OL

2016: new QB, best RB was on the bench for half the season, ok WR, ok OL

2017: very good dual threat QB, great RBs, no WRs, good OL
 

archdog

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2012
1,882
0
0
Note: we are also playing slower pace as well. May mean two less possessions a game.
 

missouridawg

Junior
Oct 6, 2009
9,391
289
83
Note: we are also playing slower pace as well. May mean two less possessions a game.


This year, weve also had several 4th quarter possessions in which we needed to burn clock instead of get yards cause of the blowouts. LSU, LaTech, BYU, aTm, UK...