Tech was pretty bad on defense last year and so far this year, they really aren't much better.
A couple of quick numbers. They are currently ranked 124th in the nation in total defense. This really isn't that dependent on number of plays as they rank 115th in the nation in yards per play, noting their defense is on the field a lot. They are also 124th in the nation in scoring defense. They are 123rd in the nation in passing yards per game and 101st in the nation in rushing yards per game.
So I decided to focus on two of their opponents, LaTech and Arizona State. I compared how both LaTech and Arizona State's offense did against Tech versus how they did their other 3 opponents they have faced so far. Small sample size, but does give somewhat of an indication of if they did better against Tech than everyone else.
Both of them did score more against Tech than their other opponents average, but that number can be skewed some. Wasn't anything really definitive in the passing game - Arizona St completed a higher percentage against Tech than other opponents, while LaTech was slightly under. LaTech did have a higher yards per completion against Tech than other opponents, but Arizona State's was lower than against other opponents. While nothing definitive, the main thing from these numbers is both teams did well passing against Tech.
The part I found interesting was the running game. Both teams did run for more yards against Tech than their opponents, but again that can be skewed by numbers. However, LaTech and Arizona State had higher yards per rush against Tech than other opponents and it was fairly substantial. Arizona State ran for 1.2 yards more per carry against Tech than other opponents and LaTech ran a staggering 2.75 yards more per carry against Tech than other opponents.
We have struggled on the ground so far this year, and we will need to pass against these guys, but it is absolutely critical we get a run game going against Tech. Other teams have done so and been pretty good at it. I think this will be a key for us to not get absolutely blown out this game...
A couple of quick numbers. They are currently ranked 124th in the nation in total defense. This really isn't that dependent on number of plays as they rank 115th in the nation in yards per play, noting their defense is on the field a lot. They are also 124th in the nation in scoring defense. They are 123rd in the nation in passing yards per game and 101st in the nation in rushing yards per game.
So I decided to focus on two of their opponents, LaTech and Arizona State. I compared how both LaTech and Arizona State's offense did against Tech versus how they did their other 3 opponents they have faced so far. Small sample size, but does give somewhat of an indication of if they did better against Tech than everyone else.
Both of them did score more against Tech than their other opponents average, but that number can be skewed some. Wasn't anything really definitive in the passing game - Arizona St completed a higher percentage against Tech than other opponents, while LaTech was slightly under. LaTech did have a higher yards per completion against Tech than other opponents, but Arizona State's was lower than against other opponents. While nothing definitive, the main thing from these numbers is both teams did well passing against Tech.
The part I found interesting was the running game. Both teams did run for more yards against Tech than their opponents, but again that can be skewed by numbers. However, LaTech and Arizona State had higher yards per rush against Tech than other opponents and it was fairly substantial. Arizona State ran for 1.2 yards more per carry against Tech than other opponents and LaTech ran a staggering 2.75 yards more per carry against Tech than other opponents.
We have struggled on the ground so far this year, and we will need to pass against these guys, but it is absolutely critical we get a run game going against Tech. Other teams have done so and been pretty good at it. I think this will be a key for us to not get absolutely blown out this game...
