MSU averages less TOP than UM
SpartyMSU notes the statistics on the season for both teams (I'm not quite sure his source, but don't doubt it). Seems that MSU averages about 2 minutes less of possession than Michigan (26:19 to 28:00 respectively).
This is mostly due to the high number of passing plays, but I thought it would interest a lot of you who are worried about TOP and the defense. This game might swing those numbers back in our favor, as meaningless as that stat can be.
September 29th, 2009 at 12:07 AM ^
a lot more sucking than UM.
September 29th, 2009 at 12:31 AM ^
ToP is also the most worthless stat that's routinely tracked, so there's that.
September 29th, 2009 at 1:56 AM ^
2 minutes in avg ToP is obviously the difference between 4-0 and 1-3. Duh
/sarcasm
September 29th, 2009 at 1:16 AM ^
MSU is 1-3. Not exactly a high bar.
September 29th, 2009 at 1:22 AM ^
there will be long periods of time this Saturday where the ref is holding the ball and neither team possesses it.
September 29th, 2009 at 1:27 AM ^
"We were Confident in June... we're Confident today..."
Talk about sad. They have to try to convince themselves they have a chance. By the time the game is over I predict there will be a new nickname for Spartan Stadium: "Tate's Playground" (Has a nice ring to it...plus, it goes well with the Little Brother theme.)
September 29th, 2009 at 2:06 AM ^
But it's not completely irrelevant either when you consider this team's weaknesses on defense, especially their lack of depth on that side of the ball.
I think the more time this defense spends off the field, the better for Michigan. However, this issue will become less critical as the defense improves and they get more reinforcements over the next couple of years.
September 29th, 2009 at 10:41 AM ^
TOP in football use to be a good indicator especially when the offenses were more pedestrian.
Halftime TOP
Then
6:20 TOP could be 5 Series 3 of three plays each which were likely 3 and out
Now
6:20 TOP now could be 5 Series 3 quick touchdowns (in two or three plays) a 3 and out, and a 4:00 failed drive.
Same TOP - Big difference
Interesting number to look at, but it's not the indicator of productivity that it was.