Ohio State Football Forum

Ohio State Football Forum

Ohio State football fan talk.

Know Thy Enemy: Clemson

+2 HS
tajikey's picture
December 9, 2019 at 3:58pm
12 Comments

Let me start this off by saying I like data, but also recognize that A) I'm not a statistician, and B) I know data is not the end-all-be-all for understanding the opponent. However, unlike David Pollack, I find it important to at least recognize the value of objective data, then analyze it as objectively as possible (to err is human) to better prepare for the road ahead. 

The data provided in this post is from NCAA.com, and is updated as of 12/8. Though a better indicator may exist with regard to "Passing Defense," I used "Passing Yards Allowed."

Chart 1:

Overall Ranking
Category Rank
Passing Offense 20
Rushing Offense 10
Passing Defense 1
Rushing Defense 9

At a data-specific satellite level, Clemson looks as good as their reputation suggests. Let's go a level deeper.

Chart 2:

Game Level
Opponent PF PA PO RO PD RD
GeorGIA TECH 52 14 123 72 38 118
TEXAS A&M 24 10 54 74 45 29
SYRACUSE 41 6 59 70 110 108
cHARLOTTE 52 10 82 24 23 97
UNC 21 20 25 42 78 58
fLORIDA STATE 45 14 33 101 120 64
LOUISVILLE 45 10 70 23 84 115
bOSTON COLLEGE 59 7 107 6 126 89
WOFFORD (FCS) 59 14        
NC STATE 55 10 68 76 101 50
WAKE FOREST 52 3 18 47 97 73
SOUTH CAROLINA 38 3 75 82 84 68
VIRGINIA 62 17 37 113 69 30
AVERAGE (mINUS WOFFORD) 45.5 10.33 62.58 60.83 81.25 74.92

My general observation is that the offenses Clemson faced, on average, are better than the defenses they faced. You'd think this would reflect in the overall ranking, when in fact, it's the inverse (Clemson's D is statistically better than their O).

I decided to take it one step further, and see how Clemson performed on offense and defense against the statistically best and worst in each category.

Chart 3:

Opponent PYA RYA PY RY
Georgia Tech 168     411
Texas A&M       79
Charlotte     94  
Boston College   76 275  
Wake Forest 41      
Virginia   104    
         

Georgia Tech was the worst passing team Clemson faced this year, and threw for 168. They were also ranked as the worst against the rush, and it showed, allowing a team total of 411 yards on the ground. Conversely, A&M was the best rush defense Clemson faced (ranked 29), and allowed 121 yards.

Like all good data, there are anomalies that can be objectively and/or subjectively thrown out, but in looking at the big and small pictures, we gain a greater understanding as to the team lining up opposite our beloved Buckeyes. 

If/when time allows, I'll compile the same set of data for Ohio State. 

This is a forum post from a site member. It does not represent the views of Eleven Warriors unless otherwise noted.

View 12 Comments