[NU Sports] Some Crucial Stats

[CHerron604 at aol.com]

Today's Chicago Tribune contained some very interesting statistics.
 
The Cats finished 1st in conference passing (307.9 ypg), 11th in rushing (a  
mere 119.8 ypg), and 1st in total yardage (427.7 ypg) - but 10th in scoring  
(25.8 ppg).  Most other teams scored in proportion to the yardage they  gained. 
 The other exceptions were OSU, which was 8th in yardage (397.1  ypg) but 3rd 
in scoring (32.0 ppg), and Indiana, 9th in yardage (393.3 ypg) but  4th in 
scoring (31.6 ppg).
 
Some of our problem was turnovers - we were 2nd worst in the league in  
turnover margin at -9 (16 takeaways, 25 giveaways).  But the problem  remains - we 
gained alot of yards, but did not convert those yards into  points.  And until 
we can convince the NCAA to start deciding  games on 'yards gained', we've 
got a problem.
 
The top 7 teams in the league standings finished 8th, 3rd, 10th, 5th, 7th,  
11th and 9th in yards gained.  That would seem to indicate that there is  not a 
strong relation between yards gained and league success.   The relation seems 
to be defense - the top 7 finished 1st, 7th, 3rd, 4th,  2nd, 5th and 9th in 
total defense.  We were not last - we gave up 410.5  ypg, and the Gophers gave 
up 518.7 ypg.  The message seems clear - good  defenses win in the Big 10.
 
Indiana seems a very interesting case.  9th in yardage but 4th in  scoring, 
and 9th in yardage given up, they still managed to finish 7-5 and  are probably 
Bowl bound.  We finished 1st in yardage but 10th in scoring,  and 10th in 
yardage given up, and we will be home for the holidays. 
 
So how do we attack these 2 problems ?  Other than taking the ball  away more 
often than we give it away, how do we start converting yardage gained  more 
efficiently into points scored ?  And how do we stop finishing at or  near the 
bottom of the league in defense ?
 
Chuck Herron   Tech '85



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