One statistic that tells the difference between 2011 and 2012

[MadduxFanII]

Obviously, football's a complicated game, and there's a lot that goes into wins and losses. There are a lot of differences between this year's team and last year's, and trying to reduce it all to one factor is a little silly.

But if there's one statistic that really gets at the difference between the 2011 and 2012 team, it's this:

Turnover Margin:
2012: +17
2011: -14

That'll pretty much do it, won't it? Last year we turned the ball over all the time and we couldn't force turnovers. This year we've forced a ton of turnovers and have kept control of the ball, save one brutal game against Georgia.

[UFreak]

Yup, read that in Dooley's column today. From 113th to fifth nationally. That will do wonders.

[UFreak]

It also mentioned that the defense was on the field for an average of five fewer plays per game this year. That may not seem like a lot and is not nearly as dramatic as the turnover stat, but that makes a difference.

[ValdostaGatorFan]

There's another one. The 4th quarter. We owned it this year. 4th quarter scoring last year, we got outscored by our SEC opponenrts 72-22, This year.. We outscorred them 61-20. That's a huge turn around. I wonder if that is indicative of possibly being a 12-1 BCS team, as opposed to being 7-6 Gator Bowl team.

[UFreak]

Originally Posted by ValdostaGatorFan

I wonder if that is indicative of possibly being a 12-1 BCS team, as opposed to being 7-6 Gator Bowl team.

Already putting tonight's game in the win column, aye?

[ValdostaGatorFan]

Originally Posted by UFreak

Already putting tonight's game in the win column, aye?

Heh heh, I had probably penciled in there, but I opted for possibly to avoid, you know, any types of curses and whatnot.

[theologator]

Originally Posted by MadduxFanII

Obviously, football's a complicated game, and there's a lot that goes into wins and losses. There are a lot of differences between this year's team and last year's, and trying to reduce it all to one factor is a little silly.

But if there's one statistic that really gets at the difference between the 2011 and 2012 team, it's this:

Turnover Margin:
2012: +17
2011: -14

That'll pretty much do it, won't it? Last year we turned the ball over all the time and we couldn't force turnovers. This year we've forced a ton of turnovers and have kept control of the ball, save one brutal game against Georgia.

Especially considering that ppg are almost the same. Point allowed is 8 points better - thanks to those turnovers.

Also, without looking, I think special teams and defense have set up or made scores more than last year.

[G8rNkoko]

College Game Day on ESPN brought up another, the defense only allowed 5 TD passes in the entire season. When you think about it, that is special.

[tommyuf21]

Originally Posted by theologator

Especially considering that ppg are almost the same. Point allowed is 8 points better - thanks to those turnovers.

Also, without looking, I think special teams and defense have set up or made scores more than last year.

South Carolina game was a really good example of that. Louisiana Lafayette was won by special teams.

[themistocles]

The Turnover phenomena is the difference of

Brantly and Weis

versus

Driskel & Pease

There are, of course many other factors, as was noted.

[gatordee]

It is hard to believe we improved the turnover ratio that much and yet our defense was on the field only 5 plays fewer?

[SeaCay]

Originally Posted by themistocles

The Turnover phenomena is the difference of

Brantly and Weis

versus

Driskel & Pease

There are, of course many other factors, as was noted.

Concur.

[The_Graygator]

Originally Posted by UFreak

Yup, read that in Dooley's column today. From 113th to fifth nationally. That will do wonders.

A 31 turnover swing in the right direction.

[gatorbogey]

pretty remarkable turnaround.

what is the basis for it? was there something done schematic (e.g. sometimes zones - facing the qb - can help db's vs 'back-to-the-qb' man)? technique? rip at the ball, hand on the ball when tackling? under cutting pass routes? or just playing more alert? or better swarming - so if a ball comes out, we have someone there to pounce on it?

[whitelakegator]

The defense is better and the offense takes...zero risks. Driskel is told to swallow the football vs take risks. It makes you wonder about the UGA game and what was going on.