Shave Tide.
This is the last article in this series.
In case you missed it:
3rd Down Conversions: The Ohio State Effect
Rushing Defense: The Ohio State Effect
Points Allowed: The Ohio State Effect
Total Defense: The Ohio State Effect
Total Offense: The Ohio State Effect
Points For: The Ohio State Effect
Alabama's Statistical Strengths
Alabama enters the Sugar Bowl with statistical strengths. The Tide are ranked in the top 20 in the following seven statistical categories:
- Points For (16th)
- Total Offense (16th)
- Total Defense (11th)
- Points Against (4th)
- Rushing Defense (2nd)
- Offensive 3rd Down Conversions (2nd)
- Net Punting (2nd)
As you can see from the list above, Alabama has an impressive resume.
Below you will see what the Buckeyes' special teams did to oppontents and their Net Punting. Thee teams are listed in order of their Net Punting average entering the game. Teams with the highest Net Punting Average are listed first.
Note:
Negative (-) numbers are good for Ohio State
Positive (+) numbers are bad for Ohio State
| Team | Net Punting Before Ohio State | Against Ohio State | Difference | Rank Before | Rank After | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
43.4 | ----- | ------ | 2nd | ||
| Kent State | 42.9 | 47.8 | + 4.9 | 18th | 15th | |
| Illinois | 41.5 | 41.2 | - 0.3 | 8th | 10th | |
| Navy* | 38.5 | 36.8 | - 1.7 | 29th | 67th | |
| Minnesota | 38.4 | 51.8 | + 13.4 | 41st | 28th | |
| Virginia Tech | 38.3 | 44.0 | + 5.7 | 53rd | 42nd | |
| Rutgers | 37.4 | 28.8 | - 8.6 | 55th | 96th | |
| Indiana | 36.2 | 37.3 | - 1.1 | 86th | 85th | |
| Michigan State | 34.8 | 33.7 | - 1.1 | 103rd | 108th | |
| That Team | 34.6 | 30.5 | - 4.1 | 107th | 107th | |
| Maryland | 34.3 | 29.2 | - 5.1 | 106th | 115th | |
| Penn State | 33.1 | 35.0 | + 1.9 | 118th | 115th | |
| Cincinnati | 33.0 | 35.3 | + 2.3 | 115th | 102nd | |
| Wisconsin | 33.0 | 38.5 | + 5.5 | 119th | 109th | |
| Average | 36.6 | 37.7 | + 1.1 | 73rd | 77th |
*Navy before stats based on 2013 season.
Below is a compilation of the average season stats of the teams Ohio State played in 2014. To get a fair comparison for the “Ohio State Effect” I removed the Net Punting Average teams earned against the Buckeyes and divided the total by 11 (10 for Navy).
| Team | Season Average Without Ohio State | Against Ohio State | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
43.4 | ----- | ----- |
 |
41.3 | ||
| Illinois | 40.3 | 41.2 | + 0.9 |
| Navy | 40.1 | 36.8 | - 3.3 |
| Minnesota | 38.4 | 51.8 | + 13.4 |
| Virginia Tech | 37.2 | 44.0 | + 6.8 |
| Cincinnati | 36.3 | 35.3 | - 1.0 |
| That Team | 36.3 | 30.5 | - 5.8 |
| Indiana | 36.2 | 37.3 | + 1.1 |
| Maryland | 35.9 | 29.2 | - 6.7 |
| Kent State | 35.7 | 47.8 | + 12.1 |
| Michigan State | 35.7 | 33.7 | - 2.0 |
| Penn State | 34.9 | 35.0 | + 0.1 |
| Rutgers | 34.1 | 28.8 | - 5.3 |
| Wisconsin | 33.0 | 38.5 | + 5.5 |
| Average | 36.5 | 37.7 | + 1.2 |
7 out of 12 opponents were able to improve their net punting totals against Ohio State. I will be fine if Alabama improves its net punting average after punting 14 times against the Buckeyes.
