(Now with proper spelling in the headline!)

Earlier this week — as I do in most weeks — I posted our updated offensive and defensive efficiency ratings for the SEC.

We take the number of plays run by each offense, divide by the number of touchdowns they’ve scored, and arrive at a plays-per-touchdown number that shows the “pure” efficiency of that unit.

For defense, we just reverse the process and divide the total number of snaps played by the number of touchdowns allowed.

After posting the numbers, I got an email from a reader suggesting I use only the numbers from in-conference games.

So that’s what I’ve done.  Now our “Pure Efficiency” ratings are even purer.  If that’s a word.

Below, you’ll find the results.  Prepare to be surprised.



Offensive Pure Efficiency

Defensive Pure Efficiency

Observations:

* Alabama’s offense is getting worse while its defense is getting better.  In their first two conference games, the Tide scored 9 touchdowns (against Arkansas and Kentucky).  Since then they’ve scored just 2 touchdowns in three games (against Ole Miss, South Carolina and Tennessee).  On the flip-side, their defense gave up 3 touchdowns in their first two games, but have allowed just 1 (last week, late to Tennessee) in their last three outings.  Bama’s defense gives up a touchdown just once every 85 plays in league play.  Dominating.

* Arkansas’ defense might be showing some signs of improvement, but the Hogs can’t expect to go bowling if SEC teams continue to score once every 18 plays on them.

* We know that Auburn’s defense — ripped by injuries — isn’t very good.  But their offense still ranks near the top of the SEC… thanks to their Big Bang start.  Their in-league touchdown-production has fallen from 6 to 2 to 3 to 1 to 1.  Keep that up and those efficiency numbers will continue to drop.

* Florida is winning with defense, not offense in SEC play.  The Gators rank just 7th in the league in offensive efficiency.  The loss of Percy Harvin was obviously much bigger than expected.  But defensively, the only squad more fierce is Alabama.  The UF D is as good as advertised.

* Upset Georgia fans have been calling for heads down in Athens.  Willie Martinez… well, I understand that one.  For a team with that many athletes on defense, giving up a touchdown every 22 plays is unacceptable.  But to those folks who’ve suggested that Mike Bobo be tossed, too, you need to get your facts straight.  In the tough-as-nails, defense-first SEC, Bobo’s offense is scoring once every 19 plays.  You can’t beat that efficiency.

* Kentucky’s offense has actually gotten more productive as their passing numbers have dwindled.  I don’t think they can keep that up, but it is interesting that UK scored a total of 3 touchdowns in their first two games (against Alabama and Florida) and then scored 3 touchdowns in EACH of their last two games (against South Carolina and Auburn).

* LSU’s offense has had its struggles, but the Tiger D has gotten better as the season has worn on.  John Chavis’ crew has given up just 4 touchdowns to Georgia, Florida and Auburn combined.  That’s how you win games.

* Dan Mullen has made the Bulldogs competitive and he’s provided hope for the future.  But I don’t know how.  State’s defense lags near the bottom of the conference and Mullen’s spread offense has scored just 6 touchdowns in SEC play.  We’ll see what he can do with a quarterback.  (Cameron Newton, anyone?)

* While the offensive woes at Ole Miss have gotten most of the headlines, the Rebel defense has been a quiet killer.  In fact, it’s the fourth-toughest defense to score against in league games.  If the Rebels continue to turn their offense around, this can still be a very good year in Oxford.

* Steve Spurrier has never been able to duplicate the offensive wizardry from his Florida days.  So it’s a good thing he’s got Ellis Johnson driving the defensive bus.  The Cocks’ D has given up just 1 touchdown in its last 2 games (against Alabama and Vanderbilt) and ranks in the middle of the SEC.

* Tennessee is a surprising 3rd on both lists.  At 3-4, the Vols are playing better than their record indicates and they seem to be improving.  After scoring just 4 touchdowns in the first two games (against Florida and Auburn), UT has tallied 7 in their last two (against Georgia and Alabama).  Defensively, Monte Kiffin’s unit is the third best in the SEC and hasn’t allowed a score in its last two outings.  Lane Kiffin might be the Mouth of the South, but his team — offensively and defensively — is playing pretty good football right now.

* What can you say about Vanderbilt?  They’ve scored just 3 touchdowns in five SEC games this year.  That’s 1 every 110 plays… basically 1 every two games.  Defensively, the offensive woes have taken their toll.  The ‘Dores allowed just 3 touchdowns in their first two contests (against LSU and MSU), but they have been scorched for 9 in their last three (against Ole Miss, Georgia and South Carolina).

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This entry was posted on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 9:35 am and is filed under Alabama, Homepage . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.