Another Area of Improvement: Time of Possession

[tarheelpride]

Last year we were 29th in terms of time of possession at 27:24/game (granted out offense didn't know what to do with the ball to begin with).

So far this year, we're 10th, with 31:14. Basically this equates to an extra possession per game. With our offense, this is virtually an extra touchdown.

The improvements on offense so far (especially since we're running the ball again with some success), is definitely showing when they have a chance to get the ball. I'm trying to hunt down 3 and out numbers as well, but I'm willing to bet there's a DRASTIC decrease in those.

All we need is for the defense to create extra possessions (I'm thinking mainly turnovers, with 3 and outs sprinkled in). That will be a challenge in itself. But I'm glad to see the 4 minute improvement in TOP.

[Marguide]

The difference is remarkable.

In the Redskins game, with 5 min. left in the 1st half, we had more than twice the yards and nearly twice the TOP of the Skins.

We were only up by 3 at that point, but at least the stats were dramatic.

[Montsta]

I heard them say that on the 3rd and 9 Cam scramble against Washington he held the ball for 14 seconds. 14 SECONDS on one play! I bet one could look up last years games and stats and find an entire POSSESSION that didn't last that long.

[pstall]

good stat and keep this in mind on TOP. its WHEN you have the ball that also needs to be factored. if your TOP is higher in the 2nd half, that usually translates to wins.

[tarheelpride]

good stat and keep this in mind on TOP. its WHEN you have the ball that also needs to be factored. if your TOP is higher in the 2nd half, that usually translates to wins.

Precisely. I'm interested in seeing those 2nd half numbers. Long drives culminating in TD's are our friend, especially with the Defense the way it is (albeit it improved against Washington).

[Marguide]

We are 12th in the league in 2nd half TOP, at just under 52%.

In our last 3 games, we are over 54.5%.

[HeatCheck]

What makes it even more impressive is that we are a passing and quick strike team. So that goes to show how inefficient our offense was last year.

[rainwater]

What makes it even more impressive is that we are a passing and quick strike team. So that goes to show how inefficient our offense was last year.

Since the first 2 games, the offense is actually more balanced. We are seeing a lot more runs/options. They still need to figure out how to put it in the endzone.

[HeatCheck]

Since the first 2 games, the offense is actually more balanced. We are seeing a lot more runs/options. They still need to figure out how to put it in the endzone.

Yes, but we are still a pass heavy team.

[Snake]

I just wish our defense could have a few more 3 and outs but its allot to ask TBH.

[jks85]

time of possession being a causal factor of winning is largely a myth

edit: it, along with running a lot, can easily be the result of 4th quarter scenarios where the goal is to run clock more than it is to score

[Khaki Lackey]

I would be interested to see the 3rd down numbers as well. I don't know what the numbers in recent years have looked like, but it seemed like it was a certainty that we wouldn't convert. Kind of like the certainty that, this year, the opposing offense will convert.

[tarheelpride]

A couple of hours of searching and I couldn't find 3 and out numbers, but I'd take a guess that we're improved on 3rd down. 3rd down % and TOP typically goes hand in hand

[tarheelpride]

Last year from 3rd down: 69/227 or just under 31%. We had 203 first downs by rushing (78) or passing (125). Average it out, and we had around 89 first downs after 7 games.

So far this year, we're 37/88, or around 42%. We got 144 first downs via rushing (56) or passing (88).

Safe to say we'll eclipse those numbers before the end of the season, as we're WELL ahead of last year's pace. This shows the offensive improvement, which registers on the scoreboard as more points.

Now we need the defense to give us more possessions since we're capable on offense to sustain drives.