Final Four Stats of Interest

[dudeitsaid]

Scoring D


Scoring O



Team
Points

Team
Yards


NDSU
15.8

JMU
49.6


YSU
18.1

EWU
42.7


JMU
22.1

NDSU
30.1


EWU
25.5

YSU
27.7


Boy, I suck at formatting. I haven't had any luck posting from excel, so I figured I'd try the embedded tables. Yep, I still suck at posting anything on here that looks polished. I should just post a link to a googledoc. Sheesh.

There are a lot of stats we could look at, but I pulled out some defensive and offensive comparisons of just the final four teams.

In all actuality, and not surprisingly, the four teams are near the top of the FCS in most of these categories, with some lapses by each team in a couple of them. But rather than put in the FCS overall rank, I just put in where they rank 1-4, and what the stats are.

And don't forget...stats tell the whole story, so we know who will win based on these numbers. :D




















Red Zone D


Red Zone O



Team
%

Team
%


NDSU
.69

JMU
.859


EWU
.75

NDSU
.821


JMU
.8

EWU
.803


YSU
.882

YSU
.75












Total D


Total O



Team
Yards

Team
Yards


NDSU
310.2

EWU
533.5


YSU
313.4

JMU
532.0


JMU
348

YSU
426.3


EWU
409.9

NDSU
412.5





3rd Down D


3rd Down O



Team
Percentage

Team
Margin


JMU
.320

EWU
.530


YSU
.338

JMU
.527


EWU
.399

YSU
.479


NDSU
.409

NDSU
.466





Rushing D


Rushing O



Team
Yards

Team
Yards


NDSU
99.2

JMU
291.0


YSU
130.6

YSU
257.1


JMU
138.4

NDSU
249.2


EWU
188.4

EWU
131.3





Passing D


Passing O



Team
Yards

Team
Yards


YSU
182.9

EWU
402.2


JMU
209.8

JMU
241


NDSU
211

YSU
169.1


EWU
221.5

NDSU
163.3
















Turnover Margin



Team
Margin


JMU
1.23


EWU
1


NDSU
.77


YSU
-.07

[BisonTru]

I just cut and paste stuff from google sheets. Looks good on the website. Of course it's a garbled mess on Tapa, but that seems to be an issue regardless of what you use.

[mcveyrl]

I just cut and paste stuff from google sheets. Looks good on the website. Of course it's a garbled mess on Tapa, but that seems to be an issue regardless of what you use.

This is actually the best a table has looked to me on Tapa. Definitely some interesting stats, thanks for compiling.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kalm]

Good work, Dude.

Of course other comparisons include...

Charleston Southern, EWU, Iowa
Washington State, NDSU, UNI
WVU, Duquesne, RMU
UNC, Morehead, CCSU

and...

conference tendencies....

For instance, other than JMU, the CAA has only one other team in the top 50 in total offense but they have 6 teams in the top 50 in total defense. Almost the opposite is true for the Big Sky which has only two teams in the top 50 in D but 4 teams in the top 13 on O and 7 in the top 50.

The MVFC has 4 top 50 teams in each.

[dudeitsaid]

Good work, Dude.

Of course other comparisons include...

Charleston Southern, EWU, Iowa
Washington State, NDSU, UNI
WVU, Duquesne, RMU
UNC, Morehead, CCSU

and...

conference tendencies....

For instance, other than JMU, the CAA has only one other team in the top 50 in total offense but they have 6 teams in the top 50 in total defense. Almost the opposite is true for the Big Sky which has only two teams in the top 50 in D but 4 teams in the top 13 on O and 7 in the top 50.

The MVFC has 4 top 50 teams in each.

Yeah, it's interesting to see that stats almost tell the story of the conference styles.

[DirtyDukes]

Appreciate the actual analysis. NDSU fans must hate you!

[WTFCollegefootballfan]

Appreciate the actual analysis. NDSU fans must hate you!
Why? NDSU has the top defense. NDSU's offence doesn't run up the score on other teams, so the scoring will be less. Also NDSU has more TOP.

[Schwarz04]

Appreciate the actual analysis. NDSU fans must hate you!

Why?

Those statistics look pretty damn good to me.

[dudeitsaid]

Appreciate the actual analysis. NDSU fans must hate you!

I don't know. I think these stats play into the Bison philosophy of defense above all else. I think they care less about their offensive stats, but have plenty there to hang their hats on. Defensively, they are the top of the heap in four of those comparisons.

I haven't seen much of JMU this year. I saw the pure dismantling of the Bearkats, and a little bit of another game a lot earlier in the season. I know there is a lot of "We've heard this before" on the game thread. But, from my perspective, I think you guys have what it takes to beat them. You guys have performed well defensively against much tougher competition than SHSU. But what is interesting is the level of balance you guys have on offense. EWU lacks a consistent running game, which I think is a weakness that could potentially come back to haunt us. But you're ability to pass, with a mobile QB, and a good running game, and opportunistic D...I think you guys take this one. EWU had a chance to win against the Bison, just a shanked FG away from taking that game, and was -2 in turnover margin that game. The Bison should've buried us. But they couldn't. Of course, EWU is good, so I'm not saying they suck cause they couldn't put us away. And I'm not saying that the Bison haven't improved, but they lost a gamechanger that made a huge difference against EWU in Deluca. I'm just saying their not as invincible as a few of their fans think (most are actually pretty reasonable truthfully). JMU's got my vote for the win.

[dudeitsaid]

I don't know. I think these stats play into the Bison philosophy of defense above all else. I think they care less about their offensive stats, but have plenty there to hang their hats on. Defensively, they are the top of the heap in four of those comparisons.


LOL, while typing that, a couple Bison fans confirm that. Not saying it's wrong. I just think strong defense is exactly what they shoot for, and it's what they got.

[dewey]

Appreciate the actual analysis. NDSU fans must hate you!

Why would NDSU fans hate statistics? NDSU has a good defense this year and a good offense. Notice how I did not say great for the D or the O.

Great work on the stats guys.

Dewey

[Schwarz04]

[/B]

LOL, while typing that, a couple Bison fans confirm that. Not saying it's wrong. I just think strong defense is exactly what they shoot for, and it's what they got.

Bingo! 👍

[Professor Chaos]

It's easy to shoot holes in most statistics but one thing I thought was interesting is that JMU is 38th in the FCS allowing 138.2 yards rushing per game but they're 66th allowing 4.36 yards per rush. That tells me they've been able to make teams one dimensional passing the ball which plays right into JMU's strength on defense (they're 7th in the nation in pass efficiency defense). It'll be important for JMU to get an early lead against NDSU and try to force the Bison into having to pass the ball. Likewise, if the Bison can keep it close or keep a lead I think they'll be able to run the ball on JMU, especially late in the game when the NDSU O-line typically really starts to throw their weight around.

[awBison]

It's easy to shoot holes in most statistics but one thing I thought was interesting is that JMU is 38th in the FCS allowing 138.2 yards rushing per game but they're 66th allowing 4.36 yards per rush. That tells me they've been able to make teams one dimensional passing the ball which plays right into JMU's strength on defense (they're 7th in the nation in pass efficiency defense). It'll be important for JMU to get an early lead against NDSU and try to force the Bison into having to pass the ball. Likewise, if the Bison can keep it close or keep a lead I think they'll be able to run the ball on JMU, especially late in the game when the NDSU O-line typically really starts to throw their weight around.
I'd say it's a safe bet to say that if the Jacks and the Hawkeyes couldn't stop NDSU's run game, that JMU will not be able to either. Especially when our backs are finally starting to get healthy again.

[Professor Chaos]

I'd say it's a safe bet to say that if the Jacks and the Hawkeyes couldn't stop NDSU's run game, that JMU will not be able to either. Especially when our backs are finally starting to get healthy again.
SDSU did a good job of it the first time around. I think the key defensively, as it is in most games, is getting off the field on 3rd down. However, if NDSU's offense is consistently looking at 3rd and 5 or less because they're ripping off 4 or more yards each time they run the ball it's going to be a long night for JMU. This last game against SDSU was easily NDSU's most efficient offensive performance on 3rd down this year. If they keep that up against JMU then Mayor Maso will be jumping for joy once again come Friday night.

[JMUNJ08]

I don't know. I think these stats play into the Bison philosophy of defense above all else. I think they care less about their offensive stats, but have plenty there to hang their hats on. Defensively, they are the top of the heap in four of those comparisons.

I haven't seen much of JMU this year. I saw the pure dismantling of the Bearkats, and a little bit of another game a lot earlier in the season. I know there is a lot of "We've heard this before" on the game thread. But, from my perspective, I think you guys have what it takes to beat them. You guys have performed well defensively against much tougher competition than SHSU. But what is interesting is the level of balance you guys have on offense. EWU lacks a consistent running game, which I think is a weakness that could potentially come back to haunt us. But you're ability to pass, with a mobile QB, and a good running game, and opportunistic D...I think you guys take this one. EWU had a chance to win against the Bison, just a shanked FG away from taking that game, and was -2 in turnover margin that game. The Bison should've buried us. But they couldn't. Of course, EWU is good, so I'm not saying they suck cause they couldn't put us away. And I'm not saying that the Bison haven't improved, but they lost a gamechanger that made a huge difference against EWU in Deluca. I'm just saying their not as invincible as a few of their fans think (most are actually pretty reasonable truthfully). JMU's got my vote for the win.

I'm with this guy!

[JMUNJ08]

It's easy to shoot holes in most statistics but one thing I thought was interesting is that JMU is 38th in the FCS allowing 138.2 yards rushing per game but they're 66th allowing 4.36 yards per rush. That tells me they've been able to make teams one dimensional passing the ball which plays right into JMU's strength on defense (they're 7th in the nation in pass efficiency defense). It'll be important for JMU to get an early lead against NDSU and try to force the Bison into having to pass the ball. Likewise, if the Bison can keep it close or keep a lead I think they'll be able to run the ball on JMU, especially late in the game when the NDSU O-line typically really starts to throw their weight around.

Bingo

Let's revisit during/ after the game because this should be the difference...

[Gil Dobie]

All four finalist have won a Championship.

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

It's easy to shoot holes in most statistics but one thing I thought was interesting is that JMU is 38th in the FCS allowing 138.2 yards rushing per game but they're 66th allowing 4.36 yards per rush. That tells me they've been able to make teams one dimensional passing the ball which plays right into JMU's strength on defense (they're 7th in the nation in pass efficiency defense). It'll be important for JMU to get an early lead against NDSU and try to force the Bison into having to pass the ball. Likewise, if the Bison can keep it close or keep a lead I think they'll be able to run the ball on JMU, especially late in the game when the NDSU O-line typically really starts to throw their weight around.



IMO, 4.36 yards/rush is pretty mediocre in my book. Now if they were down in the 3.5 or lower range then I would raise an eyebrow.

With the Bison's running scheme, I think they will be able to run on this defense.

I'm sure it will play out seeing a bunch of 8 or 9 men in the box series/plays from JMU. One thing I like is that our WRs can really block.

If the Bison play like they did on Saturday, I think this game is a 2 or more TD win for the Bison.

[Bisonator]

All four finalist have won a Championship.

Pretty good group:

NDSU - 5 titles
YSU - 4
EWU and JMU - 1

That's 10 titles in the final 4!