A retort to OU's supposedly "poor defense" rep

[BigTip]

We're not getting any love from the national press. They keep knocking our defense. But the stats say that OU's defense is way better than average.

I just looked at the scoring averages of all OU's opponents. A&M was the only team to score more on OU than what their (A&M's) season average is. Their season scoring average was 25 points per game. They scored 28 against us. They were the only team that can say that.

We played a lot of high scoring teams. Yes they scored lots of points, but they scored lots less on us than they did on OTHER teams.

[Curly Bill]

...but we're OU, not OTHER teams.

[hobbes2702]

Actually Washington (13 PPG), Texas (44 PPG), Kansas St.(35 PPG), and Texas A&M (25 PPG) all did. Also, Cincinnati (27 PPG), Kansas (33 PPG), and Ok. State (42 PPG) all finished within two points of their scoring average. Yalls defense averaged holding opponents to a TD less than their average. Florida averaged holding their opponents to 14 below their average. Yalls O averaged 26 PPG more than opponents were allowing to Florida's 23

[tigepilot]

I'm not one to say OU's defense this year is all that great but I don't think you can look at traditional stats to measure this defense... at least with they way they've been playing it since the Kansas game.

It's almost like the coaching staff has decided that every posetion from either team is going to end in a score or a turnover... the implication is that they know the defense is suspect and the offense is great. They'll jump in front of recievers to try for an interception instead being behind and in position to make a tackle and they seem more interested in stripping the ball that good tackle technique. So they're playing like a break but don't bend kinda of way to try and get turnovers even if it means giving up big plays. If they get the turnover then OU gets an extra possetion and likely a big swing in points. If not, the opponent scores quick.

In any case, it's been working as long as they've started doing it.

[lexsooner]

If someone had lots of time and statistical ability on their hands, they could do some careful analyses of our defense. I think it is adequate, by our standards, but far from the better defenses we had with Tommie Harris, Lehman, in the early 2000s.

Has it occurred to anyone that opponents may score more against us because we score more against them, and quickly, which gives them more snaps of the ball and chances to score? Doesn't really matter as long as we score a load of points, which we have done in the second half of the season. What do you think?

[Boomer Mooner]

If someone had lots of time and statistical ability on their hands, they could do some careful analyses of our defense. I think it is adequate, by our standards, but far from the better defenses we had with Tommie Harris, Lehman, in the early 2000s.

Has it occurred to anyone that opponents may score more against us because we score more against them, and quickly, which gives them more snaps of the ball and chances to score? Doesn't really matter as long as we score a load of points, which we have done in the second half of the season. What do you think?

Yes, I have thought of that. That arguement in spades for our special teams also. The other team is getting 7, 8, 9 opportunities a game to make a big return on a kickoff.

[Sco]

There is no good defense for the no-huddle split offense look this year.

[wickedgator]

Yes, I have thought of that. That arguement in spades for our special teams also. The other team is getting 7, 8, 9 opportunities a game to make a big return on a kickoff.

Ummm
Bad argument, because Florida is scoring a lot of points, and we are holding opponents to an average of 12.5.

You are going to have a tough time against the Gators. You will be able to score, but we will contain you, probably a little better than Texas. Any team who lets A&M score 28 has defensive problems. You better get better in a hurry.;)

[Boomer Mooner]

Ummm
Bad argument, because Florida is scoring a lot of points, and we are holding opponents to an average of 12.5.

You are going to have a tough time against the Gators. You will be able to score, but we will contain you, probably a little better than Texas. Any team who lets A&M score 28 has defensive problems. You better get better in a hurry.;)

Um, putting up 70 on Citadel isn't quite the same as 60+ on ranked teams. Thanks for playing and be sure to go **** yourself on the way out the door.

[cheezyq]

Actually Washington (13 PPG), Texas (44 PPG), Kansas St.(35 PPG), and Texas A&M (25 PPG) all did. Also, Cincinnati (27 PPG), Kansas (33 PPG), and Ok. State (42 PPG) all finished within two points of their scoring average. Yalls defense averaged holding opponents to a TD less than their average. Florida averaged holding their opponents to 14 below their average. Yalls O averaged 26 PPG more than opponents were allowing to Florida's 23

Considering that OU has allowed 3-4 special teams scores and that OU has given up several "means nothing" scores in the 4th quarter when the game was LONG over, your statistics mean nothing.

[SoonerJack]

Ummm
Bad argument, because Florida is scoring a lot of points, and we are holding opponents to an average of 12.5.

You are going to have a tough time against the Gators. You will be able to score, but we will contain you, probably a little better than Texas. Any team who lets A&M score 28 has defensive problems. You better get better in a hurry.;)

We surrender. Cancel our plans to attend the game. The Sooners are not worthy to share the field with a team from the SEC. Forgive us, wickedgator, for mistakenly believing so.:rolleyes:

[cheezyq]

Ummm
Bad argument, because Florida is scoring a lot of points, and we are holding opponents to an average of 12.5.

You are going to have a tough time against the Gators. You will be able to score, but we will contain you, probably a little better than Texas. Any team who lets A&M score 28 has defensive problems. You better get better in a hurry.;)

You do realize that the best offensive teams you've faced all season are ranked somewhere in the 30th range, don't you? OU has faced 4 of the top 10 and 7 of the top 30. The Sooners also faced the country's 2nd best defense in TCU, and put up 35 on them in the FIRST HALF.

Don't be surprised if we aren't impressed.

[crawfish]

Somebody needs to compile a list of how many points scored while the game was still in doubt. I'd bet 3/4 of the points against us were scored when it was already decided.

[BoulderSooner79]

I think the defense thing plays perfectly into keeping us in the underdog role for the next month and that will help keep the guys focused. I hate referencing the '03 squad again, but they were favorites and had a lot of post season awards coming their way - not just the Heisman. And of course Mike Stoops was leaving. I don't see many of our D players getting national awards and so far, no coaches are leaving. Sure I want Sam to get the Heisman, but the media tour that goes with it is a concern. Even if the offense gets too much praise, I hope the defense is questioned and comes in with a big chip on their shoulders.

[BigTip]

Actually Washington (13 PPG), Texas (44 PPG), Kansas St.(35 PPG), and Texas A&M (25 PPG) all did. Also, Cincinnati (27 PPG), Kansas (33 PPG), and Ok. State (42 PPG) all finished within two points of their scoring average. Yalls defense averaged holding opponents to a TD less than their average. Florida averaged holding their opponents to 14 below their average. Yalls O averaged 26 PPG more than opponents were allowing to Florida's 23

I was rounding off. Washington, Texas, and K-State were less than a point difference.

It would be cool to see what the half time stats were. They are even more telling.

[GrapevineSooner]

Somebody needs to compile a list of how many points scored while the game was still in doubt. I'd bet 3/4 of the points against us were scored when it was already decided.

Well, 45 were scored against us against Texas.

I'm thinking KU had 21 before we put that game out of reach.

And of course, we allowed K-State to rally from a 28-7 deficit to tie it at 28-28 before ripping off 28 unanswered points to put that one away.

OSU scored 41 a few weeks ago before we put them away.

[MichiganSooner]

Face it guys, our defense sucks and Sam has been lucky. We don't belong; we are going to get blown out; we are going to embarrass the Big 12 as well as OUrselves. We will never win a 3-way tie again and never go to another MNC. We are gator meat.

[GPANDFF]

There is no good defense for the no-huddle split offense look this year.

Not in the Big 12.

[GPANDFF]

Um, putting up 70 on Citadel isn't quite the same as 60+ on ranked teams. Thanks for playing and be sure to go **** yourself on the way out the door.

What was that thread about classless Mizzou fans?

[GPANDFF]

You do realize that the best offensive teams you've faced all season are ranked somewhere in the 30th range, don't you? OU has faced 4 of the top 10 and 7 of the top 30. The Sooners also faced the country's 2nd best defense in TCU, and put up 35 on them in the FIRST HALF.

Don't be surprised if we aren't impressed.

Way to use TCU as a crutch. Yippee!. Ummm. It was 28 in the 1st half with their corner falling down twice. Thank goodness that game was in Norman or there would be 2 losses more than likely.

[C&CDean]

Way to use TCU as a crutch. Yippee!. Ummm. It was 28 in the 1st half with their corner falling down twice. Thank goodness that game was in Norman or there would be 2 losses more than likely.

Ease up flatulence breath. We've got plenty of our own fans who think our defensive coordinator should be drawn and quartered, crucified, impaled on a spear, boiled in oil, pressed, hung, castrated, skinned alive, and then fired. I ain't gonna sit here and let some goober from gator land run his crapola. How about we just see you in Miami?

[GPANDFF]

Ease up flatulence breath. We've got plenty of our own fans who think our defensive coordinator should be drawn and quartered, crucified, impaled on a spear, boiled in oil, pressed, hung, castrated, skinned alive, and then fired. I ain't gonna sit here and let some goober from gator land run his crapola. How about we just see you in Miami?
Grew up outside Lawton in Chattanooga. Now a neutral observer. Parents went to OU. I guess I don't have as much faith in BIG GAME BOB as most have. I mean, after he won a title with Blakes players he...

[C&CDean]

Grew up outside Lawton in Chattanooga. Now a neutral observer. Parents went to OU. I guess I don't have as much faith in BIG GAME BOB as most have. I mean, after he won a title with Blakes players he...

Yeah, and I'm the ****ing Pope of Rome. How about you go somewhere else to snipe?

[mdklatt]

Ummm
Bad argument, because Florida is scoring a lot of points


How long does it take you to score? Our defense is on the field a lot because the offense scores in two minutes.



and we are holding opponents to an average of 12.5.


SEC opponents, in what is a clearly a down year for SEC offenses for whatever reason.

Statistics aren't going to prove anything because we haven't played the same teams, or even the same kind of teams.

[TXBOOMER]

GrandFartFace is right. We should have lost to TCU. If their cornerbacks wouldn't have fallen down and we wouldn't have scored more points than them we would have 2 losses more than likely.

[wickedgator]

I don't think this place is worth my time. There is not interest in talking football, just flamming non sooner fans. Language, and demeanor is pretty bad too. Now I know what other fan bases were talking about.
I hope for no injuries, and a good game, but I want all the luck. I hope Bradford wins the Heisman.

[NYC Poke]

Remember when Florida hired Meyer and the conventional "wisdom" among the blowhard SEC apologists was that Meyer's offense would never work in the SEC because SEC defenses were just too fast? How has that played out?

[hobbes2702]

Nail on the Head NYC.

[PalmBeachSooner]

Ummm
Bad argument, because Florida is scoring a lot of points, and we are holding opponents to an average of 12.5.

You are going to have a tough time against the Gators. You will be able to score, but we will contain you, probably a little better than Texas. Any team who lets A&M score 28 has defensive problems. You better get better in a hurry.;)

Uh...any team that allows Mississippi to score 31 points on them is suspect.

[aurorasooner]

Grew up outside Lawton in Chattanooga. Now a neutral observer. Parents went to OU. I guess I don't have as much faith in BIG GAME BOB as most have. I mean, after he won a title with Blakes players he... I really don't want to get into the "Blake's players" bit, because it's been refuted by 2 or 3 thousand posts over the last 6 or 7 years. You lost all credibility on any Sooner board posting that. Even if you did grow up around Lawton you either don't know jack about Sooner football or you're just plain stupid.
The fact of the matter is that when you go up against an Urban Meyer or a Nick Saban or a Pete Carroll coached team in the NC game (or a BCS bowl game), it's not like going up against a team during the season that only has a week to prep. What's lost in all of this "Defense talk" is that imo, if any team's offense goes into a NC game against a defensive specialist HC or a head coach with a top-notch DC and doesn't change up their offense's MO a little, it puts tremendous pressure on your defense and your DC. Our offensive bowl game prep the last several years has been to say "hell we're awesome" why change things up a little? let's just do the SOS and we'll be okay. Wrong. It puts tremendous pressure on our D and DC to stop quality offenses on a short field. I'm going to be seriously pizzed this year, if KW does the SOS and we can't move the chains because you can't play a Florida or USC or Texas defense which has a month to prep, doing and practicing the SOS when their defense has a month to gameplan and prep. (**^^*) even Boise State was beating us to the hole and stuffing arguably one of the best RBs ever in CFB, until their defense got tired because we thought our offense could out-athlete their emotional jacked-up and well prepared defense by just doing the SOS. FAIL. For some reason OCs think that if your offense is hanging up huge numbers during the season that all you have to do in the bowl game is continue MOTS and it'll happen in a bowl game. Conversely, DCs have to change up their game-plans more-often-than-not weekly. Our offense needs to approach this game thinking we may have to put up 60 against a quality D to win it, and doing the SOS may hang 30 or 35 on them but it won't get the 60.

[on the qt]

I don't think this place is worth my time. There is not interest in talking football, just flamming non sooner fans. Language, and demeanor is pretty bad too. Now I know what other fan bases were talking about.
I hope for no injuries, and a good game, but I want all the luck. I hope Bradford wins the Heisman.

:pop: i nominate this post as the most drama-laden post of the year. congrats on your accomplishments, need a monkey made of brass?

seriously. it is a fantastic foil to the mack brown cheese and whine week.

[Salt City Sooner]

Ummm
Bad argument, because Florida is scoring a lot of points, and we are holding opponents to an average of 12.5.

You are going to have a tough time against the Gators. You will be able to score, but we will contain you, probably a little better than Texas. Any team who lets A&M score 28 has defensive problems. You better get better in a hurry.;)
It's pretty obvious that you didn't watch that game. A&M ran a kick back for a TD, & ran another kick back to the OU 25 which they cashed in for another score. If you want to say that OU's kick coverage has been bad this year, then by all means say it, because you won't hear a peep of denial from us about it. I have never seen such a glaring problem go this far into a season into the Stoops era. The OU defense however, is nowhere near as bad as the media would have you believe.