What is the most important defensive stat?

[Notsince1985]

I understand there are other factors than points, but it's hilarious in your rush to hate Coach D that you say that yards are more important than points. Sorry, they are not. Yes stats can be misleading, but at the end of the day, points win games. Give me 14 points against and 0 turnover over 6 turnovers and 37 points (what we had against NC State). I don't think people would argue our defense played a great game against NC State in spite of the turnovers.

I never said points were the only stat, and yes, you must look at them in context, but they are VERY important. It's what ultimately determines a win or loss. I guess I shouldn't have expected anything less from our fans though who can't look at anything rationally and rush to point out the negative in everything.

 

[bigmont80]

I wouldn't say points allowed because IIRC that stat doesn't take into account how the points were scored. What if you have a QB that throws 3 pick 6's and you give up a kick return for a TD. You've given up 28 points that the defense had no say in.

 

[DaU83]

10 Points given up on 500 yards > 20 points on 250 yards.. at the end of the day the score is what determines if you get an L or a W... that being said, we can't let offenses run amok on us... because the odds are low that we're giving up a ton of yardage and few points..

 

[Notsince1985]

I wouldn't say points allowed because IIRC that stat doesn't take into account how the points were scored. What if you have a QB that throws 3 pick 6's and you give up a kick return for a TD. You've given up 28 points that the defense had no say in.

That's why I said our defense last year really only gave up 17 points per game, which is a GREAT number.

 

[Awsi Dooger]

Turnover margin has a significantly lower correlation to winning in college football than pro football. Basically, there's such a gap in talent level that the superior team can overcome a net negative in turnovers.

It is true that causing turnovers has a higher correlation to success than avoiding turnovers.

Look, focusing on points in football is like fixation on scoring average in golf. No kidding, it's the most vital factor. But how did you get there?

Pass defense is an attitude, a barometer of capability and intensity level. It's very rare for a team to excel in pass defense but be inept in rush defense. I'll continue to focus on pass defense, and specifically yards per attempt.

 

[bbcane]

I wouldn't say points allowed because IIRC that stat doesn't take into account how the points were scored. What if you have a QB that throws 3 pick 6's and you give up a kick return for a TD. You've given up 28 points that the defense had no say in.

I dont think that be on definsive statistic

 

[Notsince1985]

I wouldn't say points allowed because IIRC that stat doesn't take into account how the points were scored. What if you have a QB that throws 3 pick 6's and you give up a kick return for a TD. You've given up 28 points that the defense had no say in.

I dont think that be on definsive statistic

it does count towards "scoring defense" as do special teams scoring against a team

 

[bbcane]

I wouldn't say points allowed because IIRC that stat doesn't take into account how the points were scored. What if you have a QB that throws 3 pick 6's and you give up a kick return for a TD. You've given up 28 points that the defense had no say in.

I dont think that be on definsive statistic

it does count towards "scoring defense" as do special teams scoring against a team

really? so a pic six by miami counts against north carolina defense stats

 

[hawaiicane]

lol. People arguing against "points allowed"...really?? The only thing that matters in this game is POINTS. A ***king 4 year old understands this.

0 points allowed and giving up 500 yards per game versus 20 points allowed giving up 200 yards per game...you're an utter ****** if you choose the latter.

 

[DeadPoets]

lol. People arguing against "points allowed"...really?? The only thing that matters in this game is POINTS. A ***king 4 year old understands this.

0 points allowed and giving up 500 yards per game versus 20 points allowed giving up 200 yards per game...you're an utter ****** if you choose the latter.

Not even a realistic example. If you're giving up 20 points per game on 200 yards per game then it's on the offense (INTs for 6, special teams TDs against you, etc etc)
And 0 points on 500 yards is beyond retarded... even for a hypothetical, straw-man like yourself

 

[hawaiicane]

lol. People arguing against "points allowed"...really?? The only thing that matters in this game is POINTS. A ***king 4 year old understands this.

0 points allowed and giving up 500 yards per game versus 20 points allowed giving up 200 yards per game...you're an utter ****** if you choose the latter.

Not even a realistic example. If you're giving up 20 points per game on 200 yards per game then it's on the offense (INTs for 6, special teams TDs against you, etc etc)
And 0 points on 500 yards is beyond retarded... even for a hypothetical, straw-man like yourself

Who said anything about realism? The question was simply- WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DEFENSIVE STAT? lol. People hyping up these other stats are like those losers who brag about how many yards they gained after their team got beat. The ONLY ***KING STAT THAT MATTERS is POINTS ALLOWED.

 

[OkieCane]

Only one defensive "stat" shows up on the scoreboard.

 

[DeadPoets]

lol. People arguing against "points allowed"...really?? The only thing that matters in this game is POINTS. A ***king 4 year old understands this.

0 points allowed and giving up 500 yards per game versus 20 points allowed giving up 200 yards per game...you're an utter ****** if you choose the latter.

Not even a realistic example. If you're giving up 20 points per game on 200 yards per game then it's on the offense (INTs for 6, special teams TDs against you, etc etc)
And 0 points on 500 yards is beyond retarded... even for a hypothetical, straw-man like yourself

Who said anything about realism? The question was simply- WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DEFENSIVE STAT? lol. People hyping up these other stats are like those losers who brag about how many yards they gained after their team got beat. The ONLY ***KING STAT THAT MATTERS is POINTS ALLOWED.

Much more complex than that.
With our offense I would say defensive turnovers would be more important.

If we averaged 4 TOs per game but gave up 35 ppg vs 0 TOs per game and gave up 30 ppg I'd take the former.

Bill Young at 2011 Okie St is an example of this. They gave up a lot of ppg but created A LOT of turnovers - high risk/reward.
(Rank 1st in turnovers created - Oklahoma St. 44)

(Rank 107th in total defense - Oklahoma St)
(Ranked 107th in passing defense - Oklahoma St)
(Ranked 117th in 1st down defense - Oklahoma St)
(Ranked 61st in scoring defense - Oklahoma St)

As a result their offense had the ball more often and often times in better field position. (not to mention momentum at the college level is a HUGE advantage and what better way to tilt it in your favor than create a turnover).

Okie ST btw was 1 game away from playing LSU in national title.