It's not just the Defense--Opening Two Possessions

[WASU 93]

8 FBS Games--16 Opening Possessions. = 10 points

9 Punts
2 Interceptions (Including a Pick 6)
1 Fumble
1 Turnover on Downs
1 Missed Field Goal
1 FG
1 TD

Clemson. 6 plays, 15 yards PUNT. 3 plays, 0 yards PUNT
ECU. 6 plays, 30 yards PUNT 3 Plays, 16 yards PICK SIX
South Ala. 5 plays, 14 yards PUNT. 7 Plays, 38 yards PUNT
Marshall 3 plays, -3 yards PUNT. 10 Plays, 51 yards FIELD GOAL
La. 5 plays, 22 yards PUNT. 6 plays, 18 yards PUNT
GaSt. 6 Plays, 47 yards Missed FG. 4 plays, 36 yards PUNT
ODU. 7 plays, 93 yards TOUCHDOWN. 6 plays, 42 yards Turnover on Downs
CC 7 plays, 50 yards FUMBLE. 4 plays, 32 yards INT

[Pikapp79]

True but it’s super hard to win with a defense like ours. Hot knife through butter.

[97grad]

Now post how many we've given up on opponent's opening drives. That feels like it's been an issue for most of the Clark era.

[appfanjj]

Now post how many we've given up on opponent's opening drives. That feels like it's been an issue for most of the Clark era.

Seems like we are always down 7-0 early first quarter. I have come to expect an opening drive aTD by our opponents.

[kornegaylw]

Building on this...

Clark stresses the importance of winning "Middle 8" (Last 4 mins of the 2nd and first 4 of the 3rd). Anecdotally, we never seem to win the first 4 of the 3rd.

We come out after half time and go 3 and out.

If it's so important then why are we so bad at it?

[huskie3]

We need to start accepting the ball instead of deferring when winning coin toss

[Bigdaddyg1]

We need to start accepting the ball instead of deferring when winning coin toss

Or if we win the toss just give the opponent an automatic 7 points then let them kick. Save the defense those 5 plays they would normally do.

[spacemonkey]

Building on this...

Clark stresses the importance of winning "Middle 8" (Last 4 mins of the 2nd and first 4 of the 3rd). Anecdotally, we never seem to win the first 4 of the 3rd.

We come out after half time and go 3 and out.

If it's so important then why are we so bad at it?

The last 1 second seems important too. We don't seem to win the last one second. LOL

[app97]

Now post how many we've given up on opponent's opening drives. That feels like it's been an issue for most of the Clark era.

Seems like we are always down 7-0 early first quarter. I have come to expect an opening drive aTD by our opponents.

From what I recall, this was happening a lot under Satterfield as well. He even mentioned that they like to see what the opposition is going to do on the first drive and then adjust. The difference is he was able to adjust and win games.

[Mjohn1988]

Now post how many we've given up on opponent's opening drives. That feels like it's been an issue for most of the Clark era.

Seems like we are always down 7-0 early first quarter. I have come to expect an opening drive aTD by our opponents.

From what I recall, this was happening a lot under Satterfield as well. He even mentioned that they like to see what the opposition is going to do on the first drive and then adjust. The difference is he was able to adjust and win games.

Satt went vanilla on the first couple of offensive possessions. Wanted to see the D and adjust. I don’t think this was necessarily his defensive philosophy.

[Bootsy]

Building on this...

Clark stresses the importance of winning "Middle 8" (Last 4 mins of the 2nd and first 4 of the 3rd). Anecdotally, we never seem to win the first 4 of the 3rd.

We come out after half time and go 3 and out.

If it's so important then why are we so bad at it?

The last 1 second seems important too. We don't seem to win the last one second. LOL

^No matter which camp you fall into...there's a lot of humor in this take^

[Mjohn1988]

Our D is just bad period. On O the turnovers are the most obvious issue but we not too good on O either. We have run the ball pretty good the last couple of weeks. The O issues begin with the O line. And for me play calling has killed us inside the 30. It’s completely predictable. When we get inside the 30 we will go to the end zone on first down, run outside zone on second down and go back to the long ball on third down.

[WASU 93]

Our D is just bad period. On O the turnovers are the most obvious issue but we not too good on O either. We have run the ball pretty good the last couple of weeks. The O issues begin with the O line. And for me play calling has killed us inside the 30. It’s completely predictable. When we get inside the 30 we will go to the end zone on first down, run outside zone on second down and go back to the long ball on third down.

But, our defense has really been average since the 2nd half of the Louisiana game. If the offense could come out and match an opening score or put together a substantial drive we could have a winning record in conference games.

To your point, we have no intermediate passing game. And, I'm not sure how good it would be due to QB1's accuracy issues. But, to have 10 points in 16 opening possessions is inexcusable if that is the side of the ball where we have the best talent.

[Mjohn1988]

Our D is just bad period. On O the turnovers are the most obvious issue but we’re not too good on O either. We have run the ball pretty good the last couple of weeks. The O issues begin with the O line. And for me play calling has killed us inside the 30. It’s completely predictable. When we get inside the 30 we will go to the end zone on first down, run outside zone on second down and go back to the long ball on third down.

But, our defense has really been average since the 2nd half of the Louisiana game. If the offense could come out and match an opening score or put together a substantial drive we could have a winning record in conference games.

To your point, we have no intermediate passing game. And, I'm not sure how good it would be due to QB1's accuracy issues. But, to have 10 points in 16 opening possessions is inexcusable if that is the side of the ball where we have the best talent.

[Saint3333]

Building on this...

Clark stresses the importance of winning "Middle 8" (Last 4 mins of the 2nd and first 4 of the 3rd). Anecdotally, we never seem to win the first 4 of the 3rd.

We come out after half time and go 3 and out.

If it's so important then why are we so bad at it?

That was a Drink phrase, he copied the words but not the execution.

[MrCraig]

Our D is just bad period. On O the turnovers are the most obvious issue but we not too good on O either. We have run the ball pretty good the last couple of weeks. The O issues begin with the O line. And for me play calling has killed us inside the 30. It’s completely predictable. When we get inside the 30 we will go to the end zone on first down, run outside zone on second down and go back to the long ball on third down.

On offense it’s all the O-line. The Aguilar is throwing more INTs because he doesn’t have time to set and throw. The playcalling is vanilla because they don’t have time to run more than basic plays. You can have all the weapons you want, if the line doesn’t block you’ve got nothing.

[AppinVA]

Building on this...

Clark stresses the importance of winning "Middle 8" (Last 4 mins of the 2nd and first 4 of the 3rd). Anecdotally, we never seem to win the first 4 of the 3rd.

We come out after half time and go 3 and out.

If it's so important then why are we so bad at it?

That was a Drink phrase, he copied the words but not the execution.

Same with “going 1-0 today.”

Shame on Drink for backing up talk with action.

[T-Dog]

The stats are actually worse than the 4-5 record.

I looked at total snaps and time winning or losing this season.

App has trailed for 67.71% of snaps and 65.19% of time on the clock this season.

Take away ETSU, against FBS opponents it's trailed for 75.25% of snaps and 73.34% of time on the clock.

App has only led for 18.54% of snaps versus FBS opponents this season (26.21% including ETSU). With time, App has led for 28.24% of total time and 20.05% of total FBS opponent time.

-

Parker Fleming does a net success rate graph and App has finished below all FBS opponents this season, including the wins. I posted 2 of those graphs below for a sample size, but I checked and it's true.

[mike87]

Our D is just bad period. On O the turnovers are the most obvious issue but we not too good on O either. We have run the ball pretty good the last couple of weeks. The O issues begin with the O line. And for me play calling has killed us inside the 30. It’s completely predictable. When we get inside the 30 we will go to the end zone on first down, run outside zone on second down and go back to the long ball on third down.

On offense it’s all the O-line. The Aguilar is throwing more INTs because he doesn’t have time to set and throw. The playcalling is vanilla because they don’t have time to run more than basic plays. You can have all the weapons you want, if the line doesn’t block you’ve got nothing.

Reason he doesn't have enough time is he waits for the receiver to get 40 yards down the field before he chucks it up in the air. He has the blocking for a 15 yard pass.

[JTApps1]

Our D is just bad period. On O the turnovers are the most obvious issue but we not too good on O either. We have run the ball pretty good the last couple of weeks. The O issues begin with the O line. And for me play calling has killed us inside the 30. It’s completely predictable. When we get inside the 30 we will go to the end zone on first down, run outside zone on second down and go back to the long ball on third down.

On offense it’s all the O-line. The Aguilar is throwing more INTs because he doesn’t have time to set and throw. The playcalling is vanilla because they don’t have time to run more than basic plays. You can have all the weapons you want, if the line doesn’t block you’ve got nothing.

Reason he doesn't have enough time is he waits for the receiver to get 40 yards down the field before he chucks it up in the air. He has the blocking for a 15 yard pass.

I wonder if he is being coached to hit the long ball or just locking in on one guy?