Utah Ute Defense versus Field Position

by BirdGT on Dec 22, 2011 8:00 AM EST in Georgia Tech Football

I'd like to preface this post with the fact that the Utes have played some pretty good special teams in 2011. The Utes have only allowed 16 offensive drives to start inside their own 50 (11.5% of all opposing drives). Therefore, the defense's numbers get some big time boost. The Utes only allow 1.47 points per opposing drive. Throw in 4 defensive touchdowns and you're talking about a stout defense. The defense is only allowing scoring drives 25.9% of the time and touchdowns on 17.3% of all offensive drives. When the Utes accidentally turn the ball over, however, the defense gives up a score 44.0% of the time and 2.72 points per drive.

Yes, the Utah defense forces a turnover on 28.8% of opposing drives. They are 14th in the nation in turnover margin differential at +0.83/game, which is easily first in the Pac-12. Another interesting fact is that Utah is 2nd in the country in 4th down defense. They have only given up 5 fourth downs in 19 tries. Paul Johnson has gotten a little more cautious in 2011 but since 2008, Georgia Tech has been second in the country with 2.19 fourth down attempts per game. Troy Calhoun's Air Force team is first with 2.31 fourth down attempts per game in that span.

Do you have any thoughts on the GT offense versus the Utah defense? Let us know. Type a few random words together and make a sentence!

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Comments

This is going to be

a tough game. If the Utes can run the ball effectively and stop us on defense, this thing will look a lot like the UVA game.

by acedarney on Dec 22, 2011 9:01 AM EST reply actions

random word sentence

tough, may stop rhythm and down schedule causing trouble, attitude important.

by Atlanta's original team on Dec 22, 2011 9:24 AM EST reply actions

commentator buzz word sentence

The swagger reverse burned a gym rat via vertical passing game.

I write stuff From the Rumble Seat.

by BirdGT on Dec 22, 2011 9:33 AM EST up reply actions

Going vertical; chances up in the air . . .

by Atlanta's original team on Dec 23, 2011 8:52 AM EST up reply actions

Wes Durham play-by-play random word sentence.

Washington under center, toss right, defender, backfield, loss, two yards, no, still up, arm tackles, 30, 10, 5, touchdown, Jackets, whatarun!

by GT_Jason on Dec 22, 2011 10:50 AM EST reply actions

Old Skool Ciraldo

Clear crisp day
E.O. Wheeeeeler
set
TOE MEETS LEATHER
Long
High
Kick
Touchback

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFL1Ay6Kn9w

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

by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Dec 23, 2011 6:47 AM EST up reply actions

or, "high, long, end over end kick."

by Atlanta's original team on Dec 23, 2011 8:56 AM EST up reply actions

Yep.

It’s always Al Ciraldo for me.. and Kim King. Haven’t heard much if any of the new guys esp since there’s no Tech radio coverage here. It sucks.

by The Bamboo Shaft on Dec 23, 2011 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

The way I see it

It’s GT run O vs Utah’s run D. The question will be can the GT OL handle the Utah DL. If it can, then the run D stats are not as meaningful and GT will have it chances. If the Utah DL proves to be almighty and powerful, then it’ll be another long slog that ends with an interception thrown by Washington/Days during the last drive of the game as GT’s offense tries to go 80 yards through the air in the closing minute of the game.

by Dive Keep and Pitch on Dec 22, 2011 10:51 AM EST reply actions

I see it the other way:

GT’s O will get its yards and points. But can our defense shut down their runner and make them try to pass? If they establish a running game it will be blow-for-blow with turnovers deciding the winner…a type of game we haven’t won as many of this season. But if we shut that runner of theirs down it will be a long day for them. They’ll get lucky on a few passes, but we may also force some quick stops. In that case, we’ll just play our game on O and watch the drives unfold and the clock bleed out.

So, to me, we CANNOT let them have their star runner in the game at all!

by GT_Jason on Dec 22, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

Compliments on the Analysis Work

Regardless, I have to say that this piece and all the others that do this kind of serious statistical analysis on this blog have been very enlightening and quite enjoyable to read.

As the late Mr. Grizzard would have said, ‘You all must be from the School of Football Engineerin’!".

Have a green Christmas (or whatever you celebrate this time of year) down there in the ATL, enjoy your Tur-Duck-en or whatever other Paula Deen specialty you whip up (or even better go to the Blue Willow in Social Circle, I love that place!!!) and we will see you all on New Years Eve in El Paso.

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women. - Conan the Barbarian

by U of Uman on Dec 22, 2011 12:06 PM EST reply actions

Big City + Deep South = Huge Commercialized Christmas and not much else

As for our Christmas food in Atlanta, it varies by location: The suburbs eat ham or turkey. The inner city has soul food-style fried turkey (and the explosions that come from novices trying to make it). And out in the country (really about 45 minutes in any given direction from Atlanta) they’ll eat game meats…wild turkey, wild hog, whitetail deer, etc. Sides are pretty much universally going to include greens (collared, kale, or other; with or without pot liquor) and some kind of potatoes (usually candied sweet potatoes in a soufflé or casserole).

I figure every Southern city is about the same breakdown as that, give or take. Is a Salt Lake City Christmas much different? Maybe a tad more beef or barbecue?

by GT_Jason on Dec 22, 2011 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

Your description encompasses the range from Thanksgiving to New Year's

but Christmas Day should always include something a little exotic that you don’t normally eat every other day of the year -like duck and rack of lamb.

by Atlanta's original team on Dec 23, 2011 9:01 AM EST up reply actions

I agree

But I was describing what actually ends up happening. In the ‘burbs of Atlanta I think Christmas dinner looks a lot like Thanksgiving dinner most of the time. Unless you’re in the inner city or out in the country.

by GT_Jason on Dec 23, 2011 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

Mo' BUTTER y'all

ALL THE BUTTER!

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

by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Dec 22, 2011 4:24 PM EST up reply actions

I can't believe you've been to the Blue Willow.

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to you too!

by The Bamboo Shaft on Dec 22, 2011 11:35 PM EST up reply actions

Everytime I visit....

A Southern Feed not to be missed.

Have some Fried Chicken for me.

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women. - Conan the Barbarian

by U of Uman on Dec 24, 2011 5:08 AM EST up reply actions

Lewis Grizzard is not one of our favorite authors

except for the December 2nd, 1984, column.

by CraigT on Dec 24, 2011 6:17 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, didn't really think so.

Never read him myself, but alot of my GA relatives think he was hilarious. Though I admit it was more the ’dog fans than jacket fans.

My mother-in-law is pulling for tech, so even it a pretty solid Crimson and White house out here, you have supporters.

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women. - Conan the Barbarian

by U of Uman on Dec 24, 2011 6:46 PM EST up reply actions

Even if I was not a Tech fan I would not find Grizzard funny

Whenever I read him it made me think, “Gee, anybody can write and be famous these days.”

by Atlanta's original team on Dec 25, 2011 2:44 PM EST up reply actions

Had this framed, lost it during a move.

“Bulldog to the bone, he later pulled off one of the great feats in syndicated newspaper history – that of publishing an almost entirely empty column. It was the day after his beloved alma mater had lost a match-up with rival Georgia Tech. Lewis wrote one sentence above several columns of stark white. The sentence read, "Frankly, I don’t want to talk about it." "