National Statistics And The UConn Game
Here are last year's National Rankings:
| Offense National Rank | Defense National Rank | |||||||||
| Rushing | Passing | Total | Scoring | Rushing | Passing | Total | Scoring | TOM | Record | |
| U/M | 25 | 81 | 59 | 41 | 91 | 67 | 82 | 77 | (12) | 5-7 |
| Uconn | 39 | 61 | 57 | 27 | 45 | 88 | 62 | 48 | 3 | 8-5 |
Comparing Offense vs. Defense:
| U/M Off vs. UConn Def | UConn Off vs. U/M Def | |||||||||
| Rushing | Passing | Total | Scoring | Rushing | Passing | Total | Scoring | TOM | Record | |
| U/M | 25 | 81 | 59 | 41 | 91 | 67 | 82 | 77 | (12) | 5-7 |
| Uconn | 45 | 88 | 62 | 48 | 39 | 61 | 57 | 27 | 3 | 8-5 |
| Adv. | U/M | UConn | UConn | UConn | UConn |
The teams are pretty even in most categories.
Michigan has an advantage in Rushing Offense but UConn has an even greater advantage in rushing offense (which then carries over to the total categories).
So, once again, it appears that our rushing defense is the key.
EDIT: SOS (strength of schedule) UConn #24 (540 Points), U/M #75 (476 Points)
August 30th, 2010 at 10:45 AM ^
I'd like to consider last years rush D an outlier. Even in 2008 with a worse record we had a better rush D so I'm not flustered that there are 4 UConn adv. to Michigan's 1. That being said, I think the game on Saturday is about as even as it gets. We are all sort of rehashing the same things and FormerWolv would agree with me here, but Mike Martin in the middle is absolutely paramount to this defense. Obi AND Moundros (sp?) have a nose for the football between the tackles (pass coverage, well, I'm hoping for the best) so I feel really confident as all of you should.
Go Blue!
August 30th, 2010 at 10:57 AM ^
Bring the heat, and make them bitches throw it. game over, we win!
August 30th, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^
We definitely have the athletic advantage on both sides of the ball. We also return more experience on defense.
If turnovers are a wash, we got them by a touchdown or two. Huge if after last year. One thing about the Carr era is that we almost never lost the turnover battle. We have to get back to that.
August 30th, 2010 at 11:07 AM ^
So UCONN was pretty weak in their passing defense
Gawd I hope we throw the ball some.
For the life of me I can't figure why RR didn't open up the passing game against MSU's uber-weak secondary until the late 4th Q last year. Every one of MSU's other opponents exploited the shit out of that unit. Hopefully we don't make the same mistake against UCONN.
I know we're a run-first team, but shit, when you have elves covering your receivers, sometimes it pays to throw once in a while.
August 30th, 2010 at 5:58 PM ^
I'm thinking it had to do with three factors:
1. It was our first road game of the season. You generally do not want to put a road game on the shoulders of your freshman QB if you can avoid it.
2. We were in the top 10 nationally in rush offense going into the MSU game. Why mess with a good thing?.
3. Tate had injured his shoulder one week earlier (and was even listed as doubtful for the MSU game at one point). If memory serves, he either didn't practice at all that week or was greatly limited.
August 30th, 2010 at 11:08 AM ^
Call me crazy but that's what I see. I think Cam, Cullen, and the rest wil get the job done.
August 30th, 2010 at 11:25 AM ^
...you have to factor in strength of schedule, too, with any statistical analysis in order to be more accurate.
Does anyone think UConn had a more difficult schedule than M?
August 30th, 2010 at 12:10 PM ^
Yes, that is right. Any ideas of how strength of schedule might be used to adjust the numbers?
I would love to do that but have not come up with a way to do it.
August 30th, 2010 at 5:12 PM ^
Uh, I finally checked and:
Rogers Poll
http://www.rogerspoll.com/ncaafb_2009_sos_final.html
UConn: #24 540 Points
U/M: #75 476 Points
Both played an FCS team but Western and Eastern had an SOS of 96 and 119 respectively.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:42 PM ^
In the 10 years since UConn joined FBS they have managed 1 win over a BCS team that finished with a winning record. That was last year vs. South Carolina who went 7-6.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:17 PM ^
August 30th, 2010 at 4:24 PM ^
Both teams are different from last year so I can't take stock in any of these numbers, because I think we will be much improved on both sides of the ball. Our secondary has questions but there is now a depth there that we didnt have before. I'm soo excited for this game it's not even funny. 5 days boys. GO BLUE