Texas A&M is 99th in total defense

nrussell2011

New Member
Feb 20, 2011
10
1
3
The Aggies' total defense is comparable to Texas Tech's in 2010. Both were near 100 out of 120 FBS teams. Texas Tech's offense was very prolific in 2010, but I do think A&M's is better. Nevertheless, I think this game has the feel of that game. I would not predict an ISU victory, but I think it will be a surprisingly competitive game.

I will be interested to see if Herman pushes the tempo, because A&M's defense runs into problems with up-tempo teams. They try to change personnel more than any other team against an up-tempo offense, and it gets them into trouble. A few times per game, they get penalties for 12 or 13 players on the field, and are close a bunch of other times. But, if the tempo does not work, then A&M's offense is on the field a lot more than they need to be -- A&M's offense will get its points. They are just too good with Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael at RB, and Jeff Fuller and Ryan Swope at WR.

A&M likes to blitz, though, so if Herman successfully pushes the tempo, they could be forced into a vanilla defense. There are two reasons for the up-tempo offenses you see today. First, the offense tries to get the defense to go vanilla. By speeding up the tempo, you limit the changes an offense can make. If you do it right, the defense has to be in a base defense. Second, to get more plays for your offense. This only works if you can get first downs. Against the 99th ranked total defense, I think ISU has a good chance to get first downs and score a lot of points.

I am not one who is calling for Herman's head. Herman's playcalling is not the problem. You need to be able to execute. If we execute, we have a good chance -- a lot better than anyone thinks we have.
 

jhill

Active Member
Apr 10, 2006
490
38
28
The Aggies' total defense is comparable to Texas Tech's in 2010. Both were near 100 out of 120 FBS teams. Texas Tech's offense was very prolific in 2010, but I do think A&M's is better. Nevertheless, I think this game has the feel of that game. I would not predict an ISU victory, but I think it will be a surprisingly competitive game.

I will be interested to see if Herman pushes the tempo, because A&M's defense runs into problems with up-tempo teams. They try to change personnel more than any other team against an up-tempo offense, and it gets them into trouble. A few times per game, they get penalties for 12 or 13 players on the field, and are close a bunch of other times. But, if the tempo does not work, then A&M's offense is on the field a lot more than they need to be -- A&M's offense will get its points. They are just too good with Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael at RB, and Jeff Fuller and Ryan Swope at WR.

A&M likes to blitz, though, so if Herman successfully pushes the tempo, they could be forced into a vanilla defense. There are two reasons for the up-tempo offenses you see today. First, the offense tries to get the defense to go vanilla. By speeding up the tempo, you limit the changes an offense can make. If you do it right, the defense has to be in a base defense. Second, to get more plays for your offense. This only works if you can get first downs. Against the 99th ranked total defense, I think ISU has a good chance to get first downs and score a lot of points.

I am not one who is calling for Herman's head. Herman's playcalling is not the problem. You need to be able to execute. If we execute, we have a good chance -- a lot better than anyone thinks we have.


Aggies offense is too good. They will score 40+. Iowa State hasn't shown the ability to keep up with that.
 

ISUAlum2002

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
22,888
5,140
113
Toon Town, IA
We've played mediocre defenses and still haven't shown the ability to consistently move the ball. At best, we'll be having to drive long fields, at worst, we'll be giving them the ball with short fields due to our inability to keep the chains moving.
 

twojman

Well-Known Member
Jun 1, 2006
7,774
3,965
113
Clive
If ISU does not score at least 30 offensive points it will be considered a pathetic performance.

I noticed in the first quarter yesterday when Mizzou was blitzing Jantz was checking out of plays (which is good!) but ISU seemed to check into the option. I noticed at least 2 or 3 occasions where Reynolds had press coverage and from what I could tell no safety help. I thought a quick slant would be good to Reynolds or take an extra half second and let Reynolds get by his man.
 

hawkeyescott

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2008
1,541
46
48
The Aggies' total defense is comparable to Texas Tech's in 2010. Both were near 100 out of 120 FBS teams. Texas Tech's offense was very prolific in 2010, but I do think A&M's is better. Nevertheless, I think this game has the feel of that game. I would not predict an ISU victory, but I think it will be a surprisingly competitive game.

I will be interested to see if Herman pushes the tempo, because A&M's defense runs into problems with up-tempo teams. They try to change personnel more than any other team against an up-tempo offense, and it gets them into trouble. A few times per game, they get penalties for 12 or 13 players on the field, and are close a bunch of other times. But, if the tempo does not work, then A&M's offense is on the field a lot more than they need to be -- A&M's offense will get its points. They are just too good with Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael at RB, and Jeff Fuller and Ryan Swope at WR.

A&M likes to blitz, though, so if Herman successfully pushes the tempo, they could be forced into a vanilla defense. There are two reasons for the up-tempo offenses you see today. First, the offense tries to get the defense to go vanilla. By speeding up the tempo, you limit the changes an offense can make. If you do it right, the defense has to be in a base defense. Second, to get more plays for your offense. This only works if you can get first downs. Against the 99th ranked total defense, I think ISU has a good chance to get first downs and score a lot of points.

I am not one who is calling for Herman's head. Herman's playcalling is not the problem. You need to be able to execute. If we execute, we have a good chance -- a lot better than anyone thinks we have.

They are actually 102nd, but here is the big problem for ISU. ISU is 108th in total D while A&M is 7th in total O and compare that to ISU being 74th in total O going against the 102nd total D.

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2011&div=IA&site=org
 

twojman

Well-Known Member
Jun 1, 2006
7,774
3,965
113
Clive
Iowa State does give 4.5 for being at home.

Thanks to Ken Miller for the info via Twitter.
 

ISUAgronomist

Well-Known Member
Nov 5, 2009
26,894
8,747
113
On the farm, IA
Rushing Defense - 110 (218 ypg)
Passing Defense - 72 (229.17 ypg)
Total Defense - 108 (447.17 ypg)
Scoring Defense - 115 (36.33 ppg)

Rushing Offense - 61 (150.50 ypg)
Passing Offense - 61 (231.17 ypg)
Total Offense - 74 (381.67 ypg)
Scoring Offense - 84 (24.17 ppg)

Sacks allowed - 91 (2.67 per game)
Turnover Margin - 117 (-8 overall, -1.33/game)

Our stats.
 

twojman

Well-Known Member
Jun 1, 2006
7,774
3,965
113
Clive
Rushing Defense - 110 (218 ypg)
Passing Defense - 72 (229.17 ypg)
Total Defense - 108 (447.17 ypg)
Scoring Defense - 115 (36.33 ppg)

Rushing Offense - 61 (150.50 ypg)
Passing Offense - 61 (231.17 ypg)
Total Offense - 74 (381.67 ypg)
Scoring Offense - 84 (24.17 ppg)

Sacks allowed - 91 (2.67 per game)
Turnover Margin - 117 (-8 overall, -1.33/game)

Our stats.

Recipe for a 4-8 season?
 

Tre4ISU

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Dec 30, 2008
28,211
9,323
113
Estherville
If ISU does not score at least 30 offensive points it will be considered a pathetic performance.

I noticed in the first quarter yesterday when Mizzou was blitzing Jantz was checking out of plays (which is good!) but ISU seemed to check into the option. I noticed at least 2 or 3 occasions where Reynolds had press coverage and from what I could tell no safety help. I thought a quick slant would be good to Reynolds or take an extra half second and let Reynolds get by his man.

You're going to check into a slant on press coverage on a blitz?
 

Cyballz

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2009
1,265
926
113
get rid of the jet, run the ball, control the clock and say some prayers
 

woodie

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2006
2,640
86
48
our defense runs the scheme called the sieve.
the best thing our offense can do is called the punt. at least we have a good punter...
 

heitclone

Well-Known Member
Jun 21, 2009
16,631
14,435
113
45
Way up there
Look who they've played, Arkasas, Okie St and Baylor. Everyone's defense is going to look bad playing those teams.
 

CykoAGR

Well-Known Member
Dec 16, 2008
1,691
69
48
44
Waukee, IA
ATM held Baylor to their lowest offensive output of the season pts wise at least.

Did Baylor have a bad day or is ATM just better than their #s show? Remember going into the MU game we all thought that MU was a poor team because they were 2-3?

I hope to God ISU can come out and play inspired infront of what will be a decent crowd. I dont want our players or myself to have to deal with another blowout.
 

Help Support Us

Become a patron