Hokie Defense Suffers from Tooth Decay

by BirdGT on Nov 9, 2011 1:01 PM EST in Georgia Tech Football

Percentage of opposing drives resulting in touchdowns, field goal attempts, punts, and turnovers for the Hokie defense. Also graphed is the points allowed per drive since 2008. All stats in ACC play only.

The Hokies have been on the decline defensively since 2008. In 2008, their defense only gave up a touchdown to an opposing offense 15% of all ACC drives. In 2009, it went up to 15.29%. In 2010, it went up again to 18.56%. And in 2011, it's a startling 24.07% of the time. The Hokies are giving up 22% more points per opposing drive. I think it starts at the point of attack.

Bud Foster's scheme was alien to most offensive minds when he first arrived in the ACC. He had a light defense that relied heavily on the blitz and turnovers. Now, we have 2004-2011 game footage. The Hokie defense was forcing a turnover every 4 drives in 2008. That number has climbed to one forced turnover for every 7 opposing drives in 2011. The average Hokie ACC opponent only has 11 drives in a game so basically the Hokies are only getting one and a half turnovers per game. It's a sad day for the Hokie defense.

What do you all think? Is Bud Foster losing his edge? Are the Hokies on the brink of catrastrophic failure? I think so. Tell me your opinions!

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Really?

Bud Foster’s scheme was alien to most offensive minds when he first arrived in the ACC. He had a light defense that relied heavily on the blitz and turnovers. Now, we have 2004-2011 game footage.

Haven’t we debunked these types of things on here before? While I agree that the defense is in decline, it’s more to do with their diminishing talent than it is to do with people “figuring them out.” Look at what they’re doing to their defensive line and that tells you everything.

by acedarney on Nov 9, 2011 1:50 PM EST reply actions

I selectively

did not include the fact that most ACC teams are well below VPI’s stats. They are #1 in most categories and it appears they are actually on a 2 year cycle statistically speaking.

I write stuff From the Rumble Seat.

by BirdGT on Nov 9, 2011 2:43 PM EST up reply actions

So...

…the stats that matter to me are these: Taking out stats for the Duke/VPI tilt, VPI scores 27.25 points per game on average in the ACC and Duke has been allowing 33.25 in similar games. BUT Duke somehow holds VPI’s offense to 14 points and a scoreless second half.

I say if an undermanned (low on raw talent) Duke defense can do that to VPI’s offense, then our budding defense oughta be able to do better. If we hold them to field goals while we score touchdowns AND are killing the clock…we win.

by GT_Jason on Nov 9, 2011 1:58 PM EST reply actions

That is, of course,...

…unless they didn’t really prepare for Duke but were instead splitting time preparing for us, which has been rumored.

by GT_Jason on Nov 9, 2011 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

Bud

I heard the same thing – that we (VT) were starting GT prep during the week before the Duke game.

To be honest, we could open the season against GT and have the entire offseason to prepare and I’d still pencil in 300 rushing yards and 30+ points from GT.

by VT1996 on Nov 9, 2011 2:06 PM EST reply actions

How 'bout Special Teams?

That has always been part of the Beamer mystique.

You'd do it for Randolph Scott!
RANDOLPH SCOTT!

by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Nov 9, 2011 3:21 PM EST reply actions

They are in serious decline

The mystique is over for the program and other teams no longer fear playing against “Beamer Ball.” Special teams are no longer special for them, neither is their quarterback or their defensive line. It is only a matter of time before we see talking heads on ESPN asking the question, “When did we first start to notice that their football program was in serious decline?” Some one on the panel that day will mention the shellacking they got at the hands of Georgia Tech but others will say, “Oh, no, the warning signs had been there for a while, Tech just exposed it for all the world to see.”

by Atlanta's original team on Nov 10, 2011 7:36 AM EST reply actions

I SINCERELY

hope and pray you are correct about that.

by GT_Jason on Nov 10, 2011 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

As the fundamentalist preachers would say . . .

Don’t just wish it; go ahead and claim in the name of the Lord!

by Atlanta's original team on Nov 10, 2011 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

Fundamentalist

As a Bible man myself I can tell you the “name it, claim it” set and the “Health and Wealth Gospel” TV preachers are no kind of fundamentalist…unless the fundamentals are not turning your finances over to NGO auditing services while your preachers fly on a personal jet from city to city telling all the low-income people that everyone is supposed to be rich if they would just have enough faith. I’m forcing myself to stop there.

I’m avoiding a rant, but I’ll get it back on track thusly: BEAT THE HOKIES!!!!

by GT_Jason on Nov 10, 2011 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry if my jest offended

I was looking for the proper metaphor for that “mind over matter” arrogance thing that some team’s fans seem to have. They never seem to hold their breath going into a game while keeping their fingers crossed. They exude confidence and this seems to carry over onto the field. They seem to believe it “to be so” so strongly that it is so. I am not sure what to call it, but my wish is for Tech fans to get a healthy dose of that. Only then will the program rise to the next level.

by Atlanta's original team on Nov 10, 2011 6:04 PM EST up reply actions