It's way to early in the year to reach a lot of conclusions, but one number I look at to judge how a team is doing, and who is winning at the line of scrimmage is the average yards per rushing attempt. Here are the numbers since for the last decade, and the early numbers for this year:
2005 4.5
2006 3.9
2007 3.8
2008 3.9
2009 3.4
2010 4.3
2011 4.6
2012 4.4
2013 3.8
2014 4.2
2015 4.9
This would indicate that so far the offensive line is really making some room, and doing a much better job than the last couple years.
The flip side of this is how the defensive line is doing by the same measure. Here's the same data for the opponents:
2005 4.3
2006 4.0
2007 4.5
2008 4.1
2009 3.9
2010 3.5
2011 4.0
2012 4.4
2013 4.6
2014 3.9
2015 4.8
The 2015 numbers are skewed by some long runs by the opponents. In particular, Marshall's running back had a run of 73 and one of 28 yards. Without those the average would be 3.8. Still, they happened, so they are part of the data, and they indicate an area where Ohio needs to improve. They can't allow those long, uncontested runs right up the middle.
The season has barely started and there's lots of football left to play, but I like the start. Go Bobcats!
Last Edited: 9/14/2015 2:42:38 PM by L.C.