Big Sky Power Rankings 9-29

[SACCAT]

No, but I am your huckleberry.

Behold the pale horse. The man who sat on him was death, and Hell followed with him.

[AZGrizFan]

I thought yards didn't matter. I guess now they do.

UNC is the #96 rated offense in the FCS, and the Griz gave up 358 yards of offense. In addition UNC had 23 first downs in the game

To be fair MSU gave up 293 yards to the #97 ranked offense, UND, and only 17 first downs.

65 less yards, and 6 first downs and one place in the ranking.

What does this tell us, the defenses are closer than some will want to admit. First downs are huge. Every First down you surrender as a defense effects the field position game for your offense. Holding teams to field goals maybe a victory if you have an offense that can score against good teams, otherwise they are nothing but a moral victory (NDSU game).

Here's what continues to concern me about the Griz: in just about every game this season the defense has been on the field MANY more plays than the offense. For example, against UNC the Griz offense ran 56 plays...the UNC offense ran 81. For comparison, MSU ran 62 and UND ran 62. Now, the Griz gained an AVERAGE of 7.32 yards PER PLAY, while UNC's average was 4.39, MSU's average was 5.30 and UND's average was 4.25. So that explains the TOP differential (we're eating up yardage faster = less time on the field), but I just hope at some point it doesn't bite the defense in the ass by being on the field too long.

[Robsnotes4u]

I thought yards didn't matter. I guess now they do.

UNC is the #96 rated offense in the FCS, and the Griz gave up 358 yards of offense. In addition UNC had 23 first downs in the game

To be fair MSU gave up 293 yards to the #97 ranked offense, UND, and only 17 first downs.

65 less yards, and 6 first downs and one place in the ranking.

What does this tell us, the defenses are closer than some will want to admit. First downs are huge. Every First down you surrender as a defense effects the field position game for your offense. Holding teams to field goals maybe a victory if you have an offense that can score against good teams, otherwise they are nothing but a moral victory (NDSU game).

Here's what continues to concern me about the Griz: in just about every game this season the defense has been on the field MANY more plays than the offense. For example, against UNC the Griz offense ran 56 plays...the UNC offense ran 81. For comparison, MSU ran 62 and UND ran 62. Now, the Griz gained an AVERAGE of 7.32 yards PER PLAY, while UNC's average was 4.39, MSU's average was 5.30 and UND's average was 4.25. So that explains the TOP differential (we're eating up yardage faster = less time on the field), but I just hope at some point it doesn't bite the defense in the ass by being on the field too long.

I think as long as you are scoring, especially TDs (Oregon maybe EWU) TOP doesn't matter. The other side of the coin is a team like NDSU. They control the game with long drives, move the chains. They always seem to win the field position battle also. If it is one game, no concern, if it is a trend, yes I would be concerned. My reason is over the season if you D is on the field 20 more plays than your offense they will probably wear down by playoff time. Just my opinion

[kalm]

Here's what continues to concern me about the Griz: in just about every game this season the defense has been on the field MANY more plays than the offense. For example, against UNC the Griz offense ran 56 plays...the UNC offense ran 81. For comparison, MSU ran 62 and UND ran 62. Now, the Griz gained an AVERAGE of 7.32 yards PER PLAY, while UNC's average was 4.39, MSU's average was 5.30 and UND's average was 4.25. So that explains the TOP differential (we're eating up yardage faster = less time on the field), but I just hope at some point it doesn't bite the defense in the ass by being on the field too long.

I think as long as you are scoring, especially TDs (Oregon maybe EWU) TOP doesn't matter. The other side of the coin is a team like NDSU. They control the game with long drives, move the chains. They always seem to win the field position battle also. If it is one game, no concern, if it is a trend, yes I would be concerned. My reason is over the season if you D is on the field 20 more plays than your offense they will probably wear down by playoff time. Just my opinion

Our defense tends to get better by playoff time. TOP matters in specific single game scenarios, but there are many factors. For example... red zone efficiency on both sides of the ball. If you have a quick scoring type of offense, you need to be solid in RZ efficiency D. Conversely, if you're a control the clock offense you need to be equally efficient in RZ offense if you're playing against an Oregon or EWU.

[Robsnotes4u]

I think as long as you are scoring, especially TDs (Oregon maybe EWU) TOP doesn't matter. The other side of the coin is a team like NDSU. They control the game with long drives, move the chains. They always seem to win the field position battle also. If it is one game, no concern, if it is a trend, yes I would be concerned. My reason is over the season if you D is on the field 20 more plays than your offense they will probably wear down by playoff time. Just my opinion

Our defense tends to get better by playoff time. TOP matters in specific single game scenarios, but there are many factors. For example... red zone efficiency on both sides of the ball. If you have a quick scoring type of offense, you need to be solid in RZ efficiency D. Conversely, if you're a control the clock offense you need to be equally efficient in RZ offense if you're playing against an Oregon or EWU.

Very good points, and why I would like to see EWU vs NDSU. I know a lot of people preach defense. My opinion is you can't win if you have a great defense and a pathetic offense, but you can win with a great offense and a shitty defense. Look at EWU vs Stony Brook.

Not only to you need to be efficient in the Red Zone offense when you play Oregon or EWU, you are forced to score TDs. You come up short or make a couple of mistakes and your down 14 to 21 points quick.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Here's what continues to concern me about the Griz: in just about every game this season the defense has been on the field MANY more plays than the offense. For example, against UNC the Griz offense ran 56 plays...the UNC offense ran 81. For comparison, MSU ran 62 and UND ran 62. Now, the Griz gained an AVERAGE of 7.32 yards PER PLAY, while UNC's average was 4.39, MSU's average was 5.30 and UND's average was 4.25. So that explains the TOP differential (we're eating up yardage faster = less time on the field), but I just hope at some point it doesn't bite the defense in the ass by being on the field too long.

Part of that was some weird strategy by NoCo, though. The Griz obviously weren't gonna press too much with a big lead, but UNC seemed even more intent on grinding out the game with short, time-consuming plays than UM was.

[AZGrizFan]

Here's what continues to concern me about the Griz: in just about every game this season the defense has been on the field MANY more plays than the offense. For example, against UNC the Griz offense ran 56 plays...the UNC offense ran 81. For comparison, MSU ran 62 and UND ran 62. Now, the Griz gained an AVERAGE of 7.32 yards PER PLAY, while UNC's average was 4.39, MSU's average was 5.30 and UND's average was 4.25. So that explains the TOP differential (we're eating up yardage faster = less time on the field), but I just hope at some point it doesn't bite the defense in the ass by being on the field too long.

Part of that was some weird strategy by NoCo, though. The Griz obviously weren't gonna press too much with a big lead, but UNC seemed even more intent on grinding out the game with short, time-consuming plays than UM was.

One correction: it hasn't been just about every game...it's really only been the last two. # plays differential vs NDSU was 79 to 48, followed up by an 81-62 differential vs UNC. And yes, UNC had some strange drives...13 plays, 34 yards?? WTF is that?

[Robsnotes4u]

Part of that was some weird strategy by NoCo, though. The Griz obviously weren't gonna press too much with a big lead, but UNC seemed even more intent on grinding out the game with short, time-consuming plays than UM was.

One correction: it hasn't been just about every game...it's really only been the last two. # plays differential vs NDSU was 79 to 48, followed up by an 81-62 differential vs UNC. And yes, UNC had some strange drives...13 plays, 34 yards?? WTF is that?

Must be where the saying "one step forward two steps back" came from. On the other hand that is typical NDSU. They have the lead in the 2nd half, they play keep away, slow methodical clock management. Boring to watch but effective. Of course it helps when your defense and offense are both very good.

[Grizalltheway]

One correction: it hasn't been just about every game...it's really only been the last two. # plays differential vs NDSU was 79 to 48, followed up by an 81-62 differential vs UNC. And yes, UNC had some strange drives...13 plays, 34 yards?? WTF is that?

Must be where the saying "one step forward two steps back" came from. On the other hand that is typical NDSU. They have the lead in the 2nd half, they play keep away, slow methodical clock management. Boring to watch but effective. Of course it helps when your defense and offense are both very good.

Uhh, he was referring to the team that was down 35-7 at the half and still decided to employ a "grind it out" strategy.

[Robsnotes4u]

Must be where the saying "one step forward two steps back" came from. On the other hand that is typical NDSU. They have the lead in the 2nd half, they play keep away, slow methodical clock management. Boring to watch but effective. Of course it helps when your defense and offense are both very good.

Uhh, he was referring to the team that was down 35-7 at the half and still decided to employ a "grind it out" strategy.

One correction: it hasn't been just about every game...it's really only been the last two. # plays differential vs NDSU was 79 to 48, followed up by an 81-62 differential vs UNC. And yes, UNC had some strange drives...13 plays, 34 yards?? WTF is that?

and I replied

Must be where the saying "one step forward two steps back" came from

Understand now? SATW

[EWURanger]

So you would agree they same could be said about the MSU/Sioux game? They were up by 19 at half against a team that had only 3 TD's going into that game and averages 11.4 pts per game.

Thank you

How many 2nd and 3rd stringers did MSU rotate in? And were they playing without the 2nd best receiver in the conference?

They were playing without their primary 2 receivers and a RB.

[SACCAT]

How many 2nd and 3rd stringers did MSU rotate in? And were they playing without the 2nd best receiver in the conference?

They were playing without their primary 2 receivers and a RB.

We were down 3 Wr's that played a ton against EWU ( 2 are out for the season..totaling 4 WR out for season so far), a RB that rotates and started 3 games.

[cats2506]

They were playing without their primary 2 receivers and a RB.

We were down 3 Wr's that played a ton against EWU ( 2 are out for the season..totaling 4 WR out for season so far), a RB that rotates and started 3 games.

Add in a starting DT that was out for the UND game too.

[Robsnotes4u]

We were down 3 Wr's that played a ton against EWU ( 2 are out for the season..totaling 4 WR out for season so far), a RB that rotates and started 3 games.

Add in a starting DT that was out for the UND game too.

Would have been nice to seen that one indoors on the turf instead of wind and rain, even the scenery is much nice in Bozeman than the Alerus Center in Grand Forks