AZ solid post. Very solid. Very much agreed.
Over the years in doing stats analysis for the programs I coached in, stats tell part of the story but not all of it. Some are instructive and some aren't. I don't like gross stats (total yards as an example) as much as the small focus ones like (yards per carry, zone tendencies, and the like).
If you want to know how bad Idaho State's defense has been over the first three games, they have yet to return a punt.
They have zero returns for zero yards over the first 3 games Pair it with the fact that they've given up 155 pts in 3 games to know those two stats are all that you need to know they are terrible defensively. The more you can pair together, you start to get a full picture and the story that goes behind it.
Montana's offense was abjectly terrible on Saturday night. A lot of self inflicted errors on the field and some overly conservative play calling led to some prolonged inefficiency.
I loved what they came out in, because it was the perfect foil for what FSU runs and it was meant to take advantage of Montana's clear strengths. They didn't stay with it, and the zone and hit charts will prove it. They played within the box and hashes for the rest of the first half rather than attacking the perimeter, up the sidelines, where Montana could win 1v1 battles. When they moved the ball in the second half, before mistakes ensued
again, it was on the edges and up the field.
Anyhow. Great post.
