Myths about the 2011 BYU defense

Compiled from CougarStats:



BYU is 7th in the nation in passes defensed. They are batting down or intercepting 19.1% of passes throw. So 1 in 5 defenses, which is extremely high and means cover is strong. Eason is 10th in the nation in this stat. Not too shabby.



BYU is 23rd in the nation in interceptions.



BYU is 40th in the nation in pass defense efficiency.



BYU is 113th in the nation is sacks. 113th! That is AWFUL.



BYU is 66th in the nation in yards per carry defense. 66th. This is not a dominant run defense, yet we act like it is and rip on the pass D, which is statistically better.



Add it up--our Dline is a weakness on pass downs, not helped by rushing 3 to 4 players and getting no pressure on a QB, and giving teams all day to throw. Our pass D would be even better with some pressure. And it is 40th now.



Bronco's philosophy is not to create havoc and negative plays on D, but rather to keep everything in front and make the opponent beat this D consistently. But it also puts great pressure on the zone pass defense to make plays in the zone, because pressure will not help them make plays. All things considered, they do pretty well.

Or would our pass D suffer and our run D improve if we sent more than 3-4 rushers?



If you really believe that Eason is a good defender I have some beach front property in Arizona to sell you...

Great info. I was tempted to bag on eason but these numbers make me think otherwise. i think i just notice when he gets beat.

I saw CougarStats compile this last night, when they accused the BYU fanbase of "groupthink." Personally, I find it a little misleading. Looking at it on a game-by-game basis:



Run defense

Att./Yds./YPC:



Ole' Miss

29 64 2.21

Texas

43 166 3.86

Utah

38 242 6.37

UCF

34 81 2.38

USU

37 284 7.68

SJSU

26 70 2.69

OSU

23 59 2.57



BYU has been effective against the run in 4 games (OSU, SJSU, Ole Miss, UCF) and decent-to-abysmal in 3 (Utah, Texas, USU). To me, three games is enough that we probably shouldn't brag about our run defense or assume they'll come up big every game, but in two of those three games I think there's a reasonable excuse. Against Texas, they picked up a lot of those yards in the 2nd half when one of their two QBs ran an unexpected option-oriented defense. Against Utah, everything fell apart.



I think BYU has trouble with "home run" style runs, like we saw against USU. But they've been solid more often than not.

I got my stats wrong, sorry. I had the receiving stats for Texas for some reason. 3.86 isn't as bad as 10+ YPC. I'll fix that.

My only explanation for fans lack of appreciation of the great pass defense BYU has this year is that their first impression of BYU's defense was a run stopping show in Ole Miss. First impressions are hard to shake. BYU's pass offense is one of the better ones that I can remember. Sure, some guys get out of position, but very few plays have broke loose for HUGE gains, at the same time I wouldn't mind seeing more stops on 3rd and long.

This is Bronco's scheme. How can 3 rushing against 5 Olinemen ever consistently breakdown a pocket? I think they are even told to stay home somewhat to prevent qb runs up the middle.

But yes, it seems we could blitz more. And afterall, it is the bend, dont break mentality of Bronco's. Intersting that when Coach took over last year, he seemed to blitz more than now. But maybe im wrong.

dmcougar wrote:
This is Bronco's scheme. How can 3 rushing against 5 Olinemen ever consistently breakdown a pocket? I think they are even told to stay home somewhat to prevent qb runs up the middle.

But yes, it seems we could blitz more. And afterall, it is the bend, dont break mentality of Bronco's. Intersting that when Coach took over last year, he seemed to blitz more than now. But maybe im wrong.

Bronco has evolved a lot since his first couple years as D-Coordinator at BYU. It seemed that blitzes were an every other down kinda thing. Now he's like a tiger lying in wait for his prey. When an opportunity presents itself he goes in for the kill. How many times have we seen a team driving late (2009 it happened a bunch) and suddenly on a 3rd and 8-9 type situation a full out blitz catches the o-line by surprise and game over.

All in all, I've been mildly disappointed with the D this year. I was expecting our front 7 to be a wrecking crew, to be laying opposing QBs out on stretchers. They've had their moments, but they haven't been as disruptive and destructive as I was expecting. Partly scheme, I'm sure. But even when we DO blitz, its like they blitzers not named JP just look for a blocker to attach themselves to. Very frustrating.



I'd like to see the stats on teams allowing the most 3rd and 10+ to be converted for 1st. I'll bet we're not sitting very pretty on that one.

declocoug wrote:

This is Bronco's scheme. How can 3 rushing against 5 Olinemen ever consistently breakdown a pocket? I think they are even told to stay home somewhat to prevent qb runs up the middle.

But yes, it seems we could blitz more. And afterall, it is the bend, dont break mentality of Bronco's. Intersting that when Coach took over last year, he seemed to blitz more than now. But maybe im wrong.

Bronco has evolved a lot since his first couple years as D-Coordinator at BYU. It seemed that blitzes were an every other down kinda thing. Now he's like a tiger lying in wait for his prey. When an opportunity presents itself he goes in for the kill. How many times have we seen a team driving late (2009 it happened a bunch) and suddenly on a 3rd and 8-9 type situation a full out blitz catches the o-line by surprise and game over.

Blitzing is good for certain situations and QBs. If the QB can make you pay - you do not want to blitz and you want it to be a surprise if you do. Go on BYU TV website and watch the game video for Utah. Bronco is nursing a 10-7 lead even after all of the fumbles and fiascos that preceded it. Announcers are startng to talk about pros and cons of him only sending three and giving up dink an dunk. Tnen Bronco sends the heat - 5 - shouldn't have. Wynn burned us deep - Utah got a cheap TD - regained confidence and momentum and never looked back.



Maybe the lack of blitzing is exactly why this defense is doing better than the averages. It is rare that someone goes over the top on us. And teams are not getting many points (Utah was an anomaly).



If Jake Heaps had not stranded our Defense in the desert Vs Texas and Utah in the 2nd half and USU - the defense would not have worn down and would be looking even better against the pass and against the run.

Cougarbib2 wrote:

dmcougar wrote:
This is Bronco's scheme. How can 3 rushing against 5 Olinemen ever consistently breakdown a pocket? I think they are even told to stay home somewhat to prevent qb runs up the middle.

But yes, it seems we could blitz more. And afterall, it is the bend, dont break mentality of Bronco's. Intersting that when Coach took over last year, he seemed to blitz more than now. But maybe im wrong.

Bronco has evolved a lot since his first couple years as D-Coordinator at BYU. It seemed that blitzes were an every other down kinda thing. Now he's like a tiger lying in wait for his prey. When an opportunity presents itself he goes in for the kill. How many times have we seen a team driving late (2009 it happened a bunch) and suddenly on a 3rd and 8-9 type situation a full out blitz catches the o-line by surprise and game over.

Blitzing is good for certain situations and QBs. If the QB can make you pay - you do not want to blitz and you want it to be a surprise if you do. Go on BYU TV website and watch the game video for Utah. Bronco is nursing a 10-7 lead even after all of the fumbles and fiascos that preceded it. Announcers are startng to talk about pros and cons of him only sending three and giving up dink an dunk. Tnen Bronco sends the heat - 5 - shouldn't have. Wynn burned us deep - Utah got a cheap TD - regained confidence and momentum and never looked back.



Maybe the lack of blitzing is exactly why this defense is doing better than the averages. It is rare that someone goes over the top on us. And teams are not getting many points (Utah was an anomaly).



If Jake Heaps had not stranded our Defense in the desert Vs Texas and Utah in the 2nd half and USU - the defense would not have worn down and would be looking even better against the pass and against the run.

I realize Jake has not played well, but is it really necessary to take a jab at him on every thread? I mean seriously, this one is about the defense.



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LV - let me make sure I understand - you don't think the defense got worn out from being on the field too much and that it might have affected their numbers and national rankings?

No wonder Jake faltered. He tried to put the whole team on his shoulders--as did Rookie Doman, and simply could not pass the test. AND SO DID FANS--put the team on jakes shoulders just to see him fail.

At this point, Bib, I hope you have moved on from being a player-hater and admit you are just rubbing jake in our Riley-hating faces. Otherwise you have some serious issues.

In fact just to prove you ar enot beyond reasonable logic, why dont you put some blame on Doman and Bronco. Or do oyu need a "pure" and undefiled scapegoat? while everyone else gets a pass.

Some other defensive myths and reality.

Myth: BYU is a poor third down defense and teams can convert 3rd and long on BYU because of the soft zone BYU plays.

Reality: BYU opponents are 34-90 (.378) on 3rd down and 13-44 (.295) on 3rd & 7 or longer.



Myth: BYU has a poor pass defense.

Reality: BYU gives up 215 yards passing a game and has a defensive PER of 119.67.



Myth: BYU gives up big plays on defense, despite trying to keep everything in front of them.

Reality: BYU has given up 27 (3.9pg) plays of 20 or more yards, with just 10 in the last three games. (BYU has 14 such plays the last three games)



Myth: BYU struggles against the run.

Reality: USU ran all over BYU, but they are #6 in the nation and BYU held them 15 yards below their average. UCF, SJSU and OSU have combined for 221 yards and 2.7 ypc.

Fact: We get beat over the top way too much on blown assignments, for playing a conservative defense. Our defense has been good enough to win us all but 2 games, though. Against Texas and Utah they had some signs of quitting or rolling over in the 2nd half.



Part of that is bad coaching, putting your players in the wrong places to make plays. I think you all are forgetting how bad our D got steam-rolled in the second half vs Texas and Utah. We were in both of those games at the half.



Overall not a bad defense, not bad at all. But not an elite, or truly great defense. Considering some of the defenses we've had in recent years, I'll take this defense every day of the week and twice on Sunday. I do wish that Uale would get a clue on top side help. If you take all those 40+ yard top side blown assignments for TD's we look a lot better statwise, and on the field.



Oh, and our corners are cash money. Most every play that goes big passing wise isn't their fault (except for literally one play that Eason ran up on the ball.)



Our corners and safeties need to learn how to pass defense without getting penalties though. We give up way too many free first downs on penalties.

SpiffCoug wrote:
Some other defensive myths and reality.

Myth: BYU is a poor third down defense and teams can convert 3rd and long on BYU because of the soft zone BYU plays.

Reality: BYU opponents are 34-90 (.378) on 3rd down and 13-44 (.295) on 3rd & 7 or longer.



Myth: BYU has a poor pass defense.

Reality: BYU gives up 215 yards passing a game and has a defensive PER of 119.67.



Myth: BYU gives up big plays on defense, despite trying to keep everything in front of them.

Reality: BYU has given up 27 (3.9pg) plays of 20 or more yards, with just 10 in the last three games. (BYU has 14 such plays the last three games)



Myth: BYU struggles against the run.

Reality: USU ran all over BYU, but they are #6 in the nation and BYU held them 15 yards below their average. UCF, SJSU and OSU have combined for 221 yards and 2.7 ypc.

I'll swear, it felt like OSU had us right where they wanted us when they had 3 and 12 or longer. :angry: Myth or not.

frdbtr wrote:

Some other defensive myths and reality.

Myth: BYU is a poor third down defense and teams can convert 3rd and long on BYU because of the soft zone BYU plays.

Reality: BYU opponents are 34-90 (.378) on 3rd down and 13-44 (.295) on 3rd & 7 or longer.



Myth: BYU has a poor pass defense.

Reality: BYU gives up 215 yards passing a game and has a defensive PER of 119.67.



Myth: BYU gives up big plays on defense, despite trying to keep everything in front of them.

Reality: BYU has given up 27 (3.9pg) plays of 20 or more yards, with just 10 in the last three games. (BYU has 14 such plays the last three games)



Myth: BYU struggles against the run.

Reality: USU ran all over BYU, but they are #6 in the nation and BYU held them 15 yards below their average. UCF, SJSU and OSU have combined for 221 yards and 2.7 ypc.

I'll swear, it felt like OSU had us right where they wanted us when they had 3 and 12 or longer. :angry: Myth or not.

I felt the same way.



I have bought into many of these myths. It's hard not to.

Fact: Eason covering a WR on a deep route with Uale providing support over the top causes nightmares for our defense (and grey hairs for me).



Fact: If it takes 7 to 8 defenders to provide decent pass defense numbers you are not as good as you think you are. Good pass defense teams can shut down the passing game with 5 to 6 defenders. This is why these teams also have good run defense numbers.



Fact: Only 5 offensive players are eligible to catch a pass each play. If it takes 8 defenders to cover 5 offensive players you will have one of the worst sack totals in the nation...

Lawboy wrote:
Compiled from CougarStats:



BYU is 7th in the nation in passes defensed. They are batting down or intercepting 19.1% of passes throw. So 1 in 5 defenses, which is extremely high and means cover is strong. Eason is 10th in the nation in this stat. Not too shabby.



BYU is 23rd in the nation in interceptions.



BYU is 40th in the nation in pass defense efficiency.



BYU is 113th in the nation is sacks. 113th! That is AWFUL.



BYU is 66th in the nation in yards per carry defense. 66th. This is not a dominant run defense, yet we act like it is and rip on the pass D, which is statistically better.



Add it up--our Dline is a weakness on pass downs, not helped by rushing 3 to 4 players and getting no pressure on a QB, and giving teams all day to throw. Our pass D would be even better with some pressure. And it is 40th now.



Bronco's philosophy is not to create havoc and negative plays on D, but rather to keep everything in front and make the opponent beat this D consistently. But it also puts great pressure on the zone pass defense to make plays in the zone, because pressure will not help them make plays. All things considered, they do pretty well.

Thanks for relating this. Unfortunately, most raw stats aren't that useful, like these. It would be far more useful to know the opponent's offensive stats compared to their average overall games played to date. We need a control for quality of the opponents and a comparison against their mean is as good as we'll be able to do.

One of the maddening things about football is that by the time you have enough data to say anything robust, the season is over. But that's what makes message boards fun.