Thing is, I feel like we could have played even faster last year, with better results. We were good at getting to the line quickly, but then we would stand around looking while the plays were called in. Defenses often had plenty of time to substitute and adjust, which kind of kills a big part of the reason for playing at a fast tempo. True "hurry up" mode was the exception, not the rule.
Edit to add: Clicking on the link to the original story, there's an interesting chart breaking down pace by conference. The MAC is in the bottom half of conferences. #MACtion may have a reputation for offense...but it looks like that might be more about bad defense....
There was, indeed, too much of the highlighted last year. When I was in Athens for the first time in two years last fall to watch the BG game--ugh, that was horrible management.
The statistic is not enlightening to me generally, though. I'm thinking of an offense that lights it up with the fast ball, takes a hugehuge lead and coasts (plays at a much slower tempo) for the rest of the game.
I believe that effectiveness of pace--that's what you want, right?...who cares about the pure speed?--is best judged with the eyeballs on live action.
For instance, when we turned the tide late first half, early 2nd half on Penn State, we played with heightened pace. And it worked.
MAC CHAMPIONHIP.