Better Defense: Alabama or Notre Dame?

[STLDomer]

Better defense: Alabama or Notre Dame? - Stats & Info Blog - ESPN

Notre Dame and Alabama have each given up 111 points this season, the fewest in FBS. Both teams have held six opponents to 10 points or fewer, the most in the nation.

If defense wins championships, then who has the edge? The Tide and their defensive schemes under coach Nick Saban or the Irish and their dominating front seven led by Heisman candidate Manti Te’o?

RUNNING DEFENSE

The first thing teams must do on defense is stop the run. FBS teams are 211-42 when rushing for at least 250 yards this season.

Alabama and Notre Dame are two of the best against the run. Neither team has allowed an opponent to run for more than 170 yards this season. Florida State, Florida and TCU are the only other FBS teams who can make this claim.

Alabama has been slightly better at limiting yards. The Tide are allowing the third fewest yards per game (75.6) and the second-lowest yards per rush (2.3) in FBS this season. That is 16.6 fewer yards and 0.8 fewer yards per rush than Notre Dame. The Tide have also been better at limiting long runs. Alabama’s opponents have 21 rushes that have gained 10 or more yards, second fewest in FBS and 10 fewer than Notre Dame.

Notre Dame has been the nation’s best at conceding touchdowns. The Irish have conceded two rushing touchdowns this season; every other FBS team has allowed at least five. In goal-to-go situations Notre Dame has been dominant, allowing one rushing touchdown and -31 rush yards in 18 attempts. That’s the fewest touchdowns and yards on such runs in FBS.

Tackling is fundamental to stopping the run. The Irish have 55 missed tackles this season, the third fewest among AQ schools. Alabama has 66 missed tackles, third fewest in the SEC and 13th amongst AQ schools.

PASSING DEFENSE

Opponents have struggled to move the ball through the air against both Alabama and Notre Dame. Both teams have allowed just six pass touchdowns and rank in the top 11 in pass efficiency defense.

At first glance, the Tide’s numbers appear to be better than Notre Dame’s. They are allowing 164.5 yards per game, fourth fewest in FBS and roughly 30 fewer yards per game than the Irish. Yet, Notre Dame has been better against ranked opponents. Alabama’s averaged 239.5 passing yards per game with five touchdowns and four interceptions. The Irish’s ranked opponents averaged 203.5 passing yards per game with no touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Defense vs Throws of 20+ Yards 2012 Season

Alabama Notre Dame*
Comp-Att 13-50 7-41
Yds per att 8.5 4.9
TD-Int 2-6 1-4

*3-17, 0 TD, 2 Int vs ranked opp

Notre Dame’s secondary has been questioned, but the Irish have allowed just seven completions on 41 pass attempts thrown 20 yards or longer downfield. The Tide have allowed 13 completions on 50 such passes.

Alabama has been better at keeping short throws to short gains. The Tide have given up 56.6 yards after the catch per game this season and only two opponents have had more than 100 yards after the catch. Notre Dame on the other hand has allowed 102.7 such yards per game with eight of its 11 opponents gaining at least 100 yards after the catch.

RED ZONE DEFENSE

Notre Dame is one of the best red zone defenses in recent history. The Irish have allowed a touchdown on 24.1 percent of their opponents’ red-zone drives this season, the lowest percentage for any FBS team in the last eight seasons. Overall, Irish opponents have scored seven touchdowns and committed five turnovers in 29 red-zone possessions.

Alabama is allowing opponents to score a touchdown on 47.8 percent of their red-zone possessions, the 20th-lowest percentage in FBS. The good news for Tide fans is their opponents do not reach the red zone often. Alabama’s opponents have reached the red zone on 23 of their 136 drives (16.9 percent), the fourth lowest percentage in FBS. Like Notre Dame, Alabama has forced five red-zone turnovers, including four in conference play.

LIMITING GAME-CHANGING PLAYS

Notre Dame has allowed 14 plays that have gained 25 yards or more, tied for second fewest in FBS. Alabama has allowed 20 such plays, tied for 13th in FBS. Alabama and Notre Dame are tied with Florida for the fewest touchdowns of 25 yards of longer (1) allowed this season.

Alabama has forced 24 turnovers that have led to 143 points this season. Notre Dame has 21 turnovers but has scored only 45 points off of those turnovers. Yet, 12 of Notre Dame’s 24 turnovers have come when the game is within one score. Alabama has built so many big leads that only five of their 24 turnovers have come in close games.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Hmmm...

 

[Whiskeyjack]

DFEI: ND 2nd v. 'Bama 6th

 

[We_Are_ND]

Basically it is two outstanding defenses. Anyone who says Notre Dames D isn't ELITE, is just a hater. All the facts are right there.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Bama/ SEC fans keep touting that we have only played one Top 50 offense all year so that makes our defense overrated and inferior to Bama (see SEC Super Douche Clay Travis). This is a lie. ND has actually faced 2 Top 50 Offenses (OU and Miami) which is the equivalent to what Bama has faced (A&M and Tenn).They, for some unknown reason, are measuring a 'Top 50 Offense' by yards and not by points.

 

[ACamp1900]

Bama has more quality showings against FCS teams I know that much...

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

DFEI: ND 2nd v. 'Bama 6th

DFEI means it takes into account the opposing team's offense relative to our D's performance?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

DFEI means it takes into account the opposing team's offense relative to our D's performance?

Yes. Everything is opponent-adjusted. It's not perfect, but much simpler than trying to compare vanilla stats accrued against very different levels of competition.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Based on eye test, I would say:

Run-stopping: push
Pass-coverage: ALA
Pass-rush & knockdowns: ND
Red-zone: ND
Multiple schemes & adjustments at Line of Scrimmage: ALA

 

[Grahambo]

I wonder where Western Carolina rank.

 

[eNDzone]

I wonder where Western Carolina rank.

They beat Mars Hill. They have to be a power house.

 

[4irishnation]

They beat Mars Hill. They have to be a power house.

Didn't know Mars Hill was in the SEC <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1eLIYLBSYnY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[ALLGATOR]

I know a team that has a better defense than both. Between these two teams I might give the slight edge to Bama but not by much.

 

[notredomer23]

I know a team that has a better defense than both. Between these two teams I might give the slight edge to Bama but not by much.

is it a team that needed a miracle to beat Louisiana Lafayette? or a team that posted 2 shutouts against an FCS school and a 2 win FBS school?

 

[STLDomer]

I know a team that has a better defense than both. Between these two teams I might give the slight edge to Bama but not by much.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I know a team that has a better defense than both. Between these two teams I might give the slight edge to Bama but not by much.

You're going to catch a lot of hate, but I'll agree that Florida's defense is elite. That offense though, leaves a whole lot to be desired. The UF/FSU game could be 3-0 Seminoles.

 

[ALLGATOR]

is it a team that needed a miracle to beat Louisiana Lafayette? or a team that posted 2 shutouts against an FCS school and 2 win FBS school?

What you call a miracle I call good coaching. The same team the held A & M to 17 points. Georgia actually has the most talent on D.

 

[ACamp1900]

Nothing wrong with giving Uf, FSU and UGA some love on defense also...

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I know a team that has a better defense than both. Between these two teams I might give the slight edge to Bama but not by much.

DFEI agrees with you. UF's defense is ranked 1st at -.740, but ND's is just a hair behind at -.731.

Oh, and we have an offense. But that's a topic for a different thread.

Edit: Just checked the box score for UF v. UGA again. Ouch, man. So much lost in a single game. I'd much rather be facing the Gators in Miami than 'Bama.

 

[Junkhead]

I know a team that has a better defense than both.

'85 Bears?

 

[Irish Houstonian]

This is from Stewart Mandel over at SI:

Seriously? Notre Dame is unanimously the best team in the country right now?
-- Jeff, Hyrum, Utah

Seriously. You'd be surprised how much respect a team can gain by winning all of its games -- including against a pair of top-15 teams -- and by fielding arguably the nation's top defense. The most amazing stat of the entire season may be this: On 105 drives that started at or inside their opponent's 40-yard line, Notre Dame has allowed one touchdown -- in the opener against Navy.

A hearty to salute to you, Fighting Irish defenders.

 

[ulukinatme]

The most amazing stat of the entire season may be this: On 105 drives that started at or inside their opponent's 40-yard line, Notre Dame has allowed one touchdown -- in the opener against Navy

Holy crap

 

[ACamp1900]

'85 Bears?

They played Wofford???

 

[4irishnation]

They played Wofford???

No that was the Tampa Bay Bucs they just looked like a team out of the Southern Conference.

 

[Fbolt]

85 Bears were the BEST!

Re: this topic, I think that between ND and Bama, you have to take into account the various offenses they have to play against. ND against the academies option play is completely different than a pro-style offense and requires a completely different approach. After that, there is then the level of competition....

 

[4irishnation]

85 Bears were the BEST!

Agree and Agree

 

[Green Mountains]

I'm not sure this belong here, but WTF.

One of the criticisms we've hear is, "Why do ND opponents play their worst game of the season vs. ND?"

I've been looking at the ND defense statistically. We have held 8 of 12 opponents to their season low in points. We have held 9 of 12 opponents to more than one standard deviation from their average points. No opponent scored over its season average against ND (including Pitt despite 3 OT's).

Maybe someone with more statistical skills can determine the likelihood that this is a random event, vs a true skill that the ND defense brings. I'd expect it is a statistical impossibility.

Here's the data for any of you statheads.

*Opponent* *Mean* *Points vs ND* *Season Low Pts* *Held to Low vs ND* *Standard Deviation* *Outside one SD*

Navy 25.5 10 - No 15.1 Yes
Purdue 30.2 17 9 No 17.0 No
MSU 20.3 3 3 Yes 9.4 Yes
Michigan 30.0 6 6 Yes 16.9 Yes
Miami 31.4 3 3 Yes 14.6 Yes
Stanford 28.6 13 13 Yes 14.0 Yes
BYU 29.2 14 6 No 16.6 No
Oklahoma 41.7 13 13 Yes 16.9 Yes
Pitt 27.5 26 10 No 13.6 No
BC 19.8 6 6 Yes 9.8 Yes
WF 19.3 - - Yes 14.1 Yes
USC 34.2 13 13 Yes 12.6 Yes



(Table doesn't look good....I hope it posts ok)

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Good point(s) Green!

I think there are about three or four aspects to this conversation.

Flexibility - ND can play the defense they need to against the opposing offenses strenth.

Depth and conditioning - ND has been kicking their opponents asses in the late third and fourth quarter when it counts.

Bend don't break - ND has kept everything in front of them this year, which results in giving up a few more yards and the stagering red zone stats they have produced. Absolutely, the number one killer red zone defense!

Within the flex conversation adjustments - ND has the coaching staff this year, from front to back on defense, second to none!

Offense - ND's offense roll plays this year to complement the defense. I want to see the numbers on the play gradient between the number of snaps ND takes against the most efficient Offensive opponents and the least.

I am telling you ND has the best accelerator controlls of any team in the nation. Using O and D, Kelly can manipulate the tempo during the game to influence a favorible outcome, more than anyone else in the nation.

 

[blackirish]

Bama/ SEC fans keep touting that we have only played one Top 50 offense all year so that makes our defense overrated and inferior to Bama (see SEC Super Douche Clay Travis). This is a lie. ND has actually faced 2 Top 50 Offenses (OU and Miami) which is the equivalent to what Bama has faced (A&M and Tenn).They, for some unknown reason, are measuring a 'Top 50 Offense' by yards and not by points.

I with you on this ,but Miami ?????...

 

[blackirish]

What you call a miracle I call good coaching. The same team the held A & M to 17 points. Georgia actually has the most talent on D.

Proably,but South Carolina didn't seem to think so, however I agree with you on the good coaching though.