I like to look at the stats for the games with intent to try and identify the real key stats that drive the outcome of the games. Yards per pass or run, turnovers, penalties, etc. It seemed to me that there has developed a pattern through the past 4 games, so I went back to look at it and I think I have confirmed my suspicions that the Cougs have been getting pummeled on plays that determine changes of possession. Not just turnovers, but plays on third and fourth down, where you are giving the ball away if you don't convert the first down play. No surprise to anyone here, I suppose, but we are getting beat by both offense and defense in these categories.
Here is the data, with WSU listed first:
UCLA- Third down conversions 2/13 vs 8/25; fourth down conversions 0/1 vs 3/3; turnovers created 2 vs 4
Arizona- Third down conversions 4/11 vs 10/17; fourth down conversions 0/3 vs 1/1; turnovers created 0 vs 3
Oregon- Third down conversions 4/14 vs 5/10; fourth down conversions 1/4 vs 0/0; turnovers created 0 vs 0
ASU- Third down conversions 3/12 vs 8/11; fourth down conversions 2/3 vs 0/0; turnovers created 0 vs 0
Bottom lines:
Third down conversions we lose 13/50=26% vs 31/63=49%. Getting ass kicked here.
Fourth down conversions we lose 3/11=27% vs 4/4=100% Small sample size, but getting drilled here also.
Turnovers we are losing at 2 vs 7, and the worst part of it is that we haven't created a single turnover in the past three games. UGH!
I remember thinking earlier in the season how much improved the downfield coverage by the DB's seemed to be from the past couple years, guys being tighter and making more plays. I no longer think that.
Here is the data, with WSU listed first:
UCLA- Third down conversions 2/13 vs 8/25; fourth down conversions 0/1 vs 3/3; turnovers created 2 vs 4
Arizona- Third down conversions 4/11 vs 10/17; fourth down conversions 0/3 vs 1/1; turnovers created 0 vs 3
Oregon- Third down conversions 4/14 vs 5/10; fourth down conversions 1/4 vs 0/0; turnovers created 0 vs 0
ASU- Third down conversions 3/12 vs 8/11; fourth down conversions 2/3 vs 0/0; turnovers created 0 vs 0
Bottom lines:
Third down conversions we lose 13/50=26% vs 31/63=49%. Getting ass kicked here.
Fourth down conversions we lose 3/11=27% vs 4/4=100% Small sample size, but getting drilled here also.
Turnovers we are losing at 2 vs 7, and the worst part of it is that we haven't created a single turnover in the past three games. UGH!
I remember thinking earlier in the season how much improved the downfield coverage by the DB's seemed to be from the past couple years, guys being tighter and making more plays. I no longer think that.