Max Olson, ESPN Workers Author
Indiana’s offense loved a dominant day in its 56-7 rout of Nebraska, however a wonderful protection continues to be simply as crucial to this system’s undefeated begin. The Hoosiers’ protection is likely one of the massive movers on this week’s cease charge standings.
What’s cease charge? It is a fundamental measurement of success: the share of a protection’s drives that finish in punts, turnovers or a turnover on downs. Defensive coordinators have the identical objective no matter their scheme, opponent or convention: Stop factors and get off the sphere. Cease charge is an easy metric however can provide reflection of a protection’s effectiveness on a per-drive foundation in right now’s faster-tempo recreation.
Final 12 months, nationwide champ Michigan completed No. 1 with a defensive cease charge of 81.6% in its video games in opposition to FBS opponents. The highest 25 groups within the closing 2023 cease charge standings received a complete of 249 video games, with seven incomes convention titles. Nice groups discover a technique to get stops in crucial conditions.
To be clear, cease charge shouldn’t be a sophisticated stat and isn’t any substitute for Invoice Connelly’s SP+ or different extra complete metrics. It is merely a special methodology for evaluating success on protection.
Indiana’s protection climbed from No. 16 to No. 9 on this week’s up to date standings, with a cease charge of 75.4%, after shutting down Dylan Raiola and the Huskers.
Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines’ crew grabbed 5 takeaways, together with three interceptions, and obtained 9 third-down stops. The Hoosiers additionally turned the one FBS protection to go 5-for-5 on stopping fourth-down conversions in a recreation this season, in response to TruMedia.
One other spectacular stat that stood out to Indiana coach Curt Cignetti: Indiana was in a position to convert the 5 turnovers into 28 factors.
“You do not see that fairly often,” Cignetti mentioned Monday.
However he is used to seeing it from his DC. Haines coached the No. 12 cease charge protection within the nation final season at James Madison, and their 2022 protection completed No. 8 on this metric after Haines was promoted to DC. Cignetti’s applications are recognized for cutting-edge offenses, however Haines has been with him because the Elon and IUP days and remains to be succeeding even in opposition to harder Huge Ten competitors.
A number of extra movers to notice exiting Week 8:
Texas’ cease charge dropped from 87.1% to 82.1% following its 30-15 loss to No. 5 Georgia, however that proportion nonetheless ranked No. 1 on this week’s cease charge standings, placing the Longhorns simply forward of Ohio State (81.8%) and Tennessee (81.3%).
Wisconsin (No. 10) and Colorado (No. 12) additionally made massive strikes this week after blowout wins over Northwestern and Arizona, respectively. Since we’re solely halfway by way of this season, defenses can nonetheless make massive strikes in these standings based mostly on one nice (or not so nice) efficiency.
Oklahoma has been traditionally terrible on offense this season and simply fired OC Seth Littrell after seven video games, however the Sooners’ protection continues to be wonderful. That unit has been put in powerful spots all season lengthy but nonetheless ranks 14th in cease charge at 73.3%.
South Carolina, Oregon, Missouri and SMU moved into the highest 25 on this week’s standings. Nebraska dropped from No. 6 to No. 24 following its loss to the Hoosiers.
Iowa had a tough evening in opposition to Michigan State, permitting scores on eight of 10 drives in a 32-20 loss, and slid from 14th to 56th in cease charge.
Be aware: All information is courtesy of TruMedia. Video games in opposition to FCS opponents and end-of-half drives through which the opponent took a knee or ran out the clock had been filtered out.
