AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2006 > November > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSome stats mean more
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Statistics can be misleading, some very much so, and Georgia Tech’s a great example.
In ACC games, the Yellow Jackets are ranked No. 8 in rushing defense, No. 7 in pass defense, and No. 7 in total defense. They’re also No. 8 in passing offense, No. 7 in punt return average, No. 11 in kickoff return average, and No. 11 in kickoff coverage statistics.
First, one game, against Clemson, skewed many of these numbers badly.
More importantly, in my opinion, are some other statistics where Tech fares much, much better.
A few years ago, a member of the Falcons staff told me about a study done in the NFL that suggested the most impactful plays in football by far are sacks and turnovers. It’s not a play, but you’ve got to add field position.
The Jackets are in a spot to make it to the ACC Championship Game because - again, my opinion - they’re rocking in all three of these areas.
Yes, Calvin Johnson is leading the ACC in receiving, but Tech’s passing game is only marginally better than last season, when it ranked ninth in the ACC.
In a nutshell, the biggest differences this year (in no order) are the way Durant Brooks is punting (No. 1 in the ACC), turnover ratio (No. 1), and the fact Tech runs the ball well (No. 3) again. The Jackets’ success in these areas outweighs their struggles in others.
When Reggie Ball fumbled the other day on the first play against Miami, it was only Tech’s third lost fumble all season. In five ACC games, Tech has turned the ball over six times, and taken the ball away 13 for an ACC-best +7 ratio. Boston College, which can put a near stranglehold on the Atlantic division with a win over Wake Forest this week, is No. 2 at +4 in one less conference game.
Many of those turnovers are forced by sacks, where Tech also leads the ACC in conference games, with 18 (tied, oddly, by Virginia). Whether it’s a fumble or a rushed throw leading to a pick, pressuring the quarterback is huge.
That dovetails into the pass defense, where the Jackets are allowing 199 yards per game. That’s not great, but reflective of a team that’s been ahead more than behind (although Tech’s overcome two 10-point deficits to win ACC games, another very big factor). The Jackets are No. 5 in pass efficiency defense, garnering as many pix as TDs allowed (five each).
Protecting the ball, taking it away, the ability to run it with a realistic big-play threat from the passing game (if not a high percentage of completions) added to punting that leads to big field position changes when the offense bogs down … that’s a solid formula by any measure.
Comments
By JustMe
November 2, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this
Matt -
Great analysis. I did not realize some of those numbers and they are impressive. I vote for you to take Kirk H. job on ESPN!!!!
By Ramble on!
November 2, 2006 11:28 PM | Link to this
ITS ALL SOLID BABY!!!!AND SO ARE THE RECRUITS!!!!!
By Senior Citizen
November 3, 2006 06:23 AM | Link to this
Mark Twain put it this way: There are lies, damned lies and statistics.
Go Jackets
By smitty
November 3, 2006 06:29 AM | Link to this
It merely confirms what people have been saying all along during the gailey years……JT is an outstanding DC and his steady defense has always been superior and is one of the major reasons for the improved performance of the entire team…….maybe if he does more interviews (his first on TV last week), the word continues to get out and we sign more defensive blue chippers like the young man who committed as reported by the AJC….and the punter has been nothing short of game changing this season…..go jackets
By ben
November 3, 2006 12:14 PM | Link to this
This blog is more proof why without Tenuta, this team is a perennial .500 team at best.
By crazy-4-GT
November 3, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this
I sure am glad that all the Dog fans have gone back to their doghouse to lick their wounds. The IQ of the posts on the Tech boards are dramatically improved! Simple question on the future of GT: Is Taylor Bennett as good as Godsey was? I know he isn’t a runner like Ball, so does he have the touch that Godsey had? If it isn’t Bennett, who will it be?
By SanDiegoJacket
November 3, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this
Great analysis… The chemistry of this team is the best I’ve seen in years. It’s as if all the stars are in alignment.
It’s Cox running down the sideline like a bull….it’s Reggie overcoming a fumble and a poor first half….it’s the secondary stepping up…and bless you Chan for letting Pat and John do their things.
IT’S GREAT TO BE A YELLOW JACKET
P.S. Thank you Giff as well, our recruits are stellar!!