Post Spring Practice Depth Chart

[AE 87]

It is much harder to scheme away lesser talent on D. You either have the horses or you don't.

Data supporting this?

 

[SecretAgentBuzz]

After a quick look at that depth chart, I can honestly say that we have improved in one very important area--depth. We used to have guys on the two-deep who were, let's say "questionable" in talent and ability in comparison to the 1st team. Looking at our projected depth chart, I only see a few areas where we lack the kind of depth needed to succeed. What do you guys think? Are my eyes deceiving me...or does it seem that we have more quality depth than we have in previous years???

 

[Jerry the Jacket]

I tend to agree with you. The exceptions are the offensive line and QB where we have bodies but not proven performance. I would say these areas are still in question until we see how the back ups step forward or not. On defense I think we have a solid two deep at every position and there is not substantial fall off from the one's to the two's. There are some ones who need to step it up this year but I think in each case the potential to do that is there. It really comes down to motivation on that side of the ball. Special teams is always a bit of a question mark but will be even more so this season with the loss of Buttkicker.

Go Jackets!

 

[ilovetheoption]

Data supporting this?

I wonder how you would do this. Perhaps run a correlation of recruiting rankings against FEI for both offense and defense?

 

[lv20gt]

After a quick look at that depth chart, I can honestly say that we have improved in one very important area--depth. We used to have guys on the two-deep who were, let's say "questionable" in talent and ability in comparison to the 1st team. Looking at our projected depth chart, I only see a few areas where we lack the kind of depth needed to succeed. What do you guys think? Are my eyes deceiving me...or does it seem that we have more quality depth than we have in previous years???

I think we are at the time of the year where people hype of the positives and down play the negatives. And that is true for any team and fanbase. I see potential in our depth, same as most years. I also see a lot of issues though.

 

[Dottie1145]

Just listen to CPJ, he's usually honest. In 2014 he was excited about the team, in 15 he was pretty disappointed all spring and summer, and last year, he got excited again. He knows what he has year in and year out, so let's just wait and read what HBC has to say.

 

[txsting]

yeah, we did have a headhunter--his name is Davis but he gone

Not tall enough to hit anyone in the actual head [emoji2]

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[Eli]

Michigan State doesn't usually recruit lights out but are normally near the top defensively

 

[PBR549]

Data supporting this?

I don't know about data, but it's easier to hide a weak link on offense than it is on defense. If you have a weak link on defense offensively you can design schemes that take advantage of that weak link for example: running at a specific defensive lineman, stretching a specific linebacker who has difficulty in pass coverage, picking out a week corner.

On offense it's much easier to hide a weak link. For example; use a back to chip for a offensive lineman weak at pass protection. Design higher percentage pass plays for quarterbacks who are weak passers. Use motion to free up receivers who have difficulty getting off of press coverage etc.
On defense there's truly no place to hide.

 

[dressedcheeseside]

Data supporting this?

National Leaders Scoring Defense 2016 / Talent Ranking entering 2017 (5 yr average)
1. Alabama/1
2. Michigan/14
3. Ohio State/2
4. Wisconsin/ outside top 25
5. LSU/3
6. Florida/10
7. Auburn/7
8. Washington/25
9. Ap State/outside top 25
10. Clemson/12

National Leaders Scoring Offense 2016 / Talent Ranking entering 2017 (5 yr composite)
1. W Kentucky/outside top 25
2. La Tech/outside top 25
3. Oklahoma/15
4. S Florida/outside top 25
5. Texas Tech/outside top 25
6. Louisville/outside top 25
7. Tulsa/outside top 25
8. Washington/25
9. Western Michigan/outside top 25
10. Pitt/outside top 25

http://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...ll-teams-with-the-best-players-entering-2017/
http://www.cfbstats.com/2016/leader/national/team/defense/split01/category09/sort01.html
http://www.cfbstats.com/2016/leader/national/team/offense/split01/category09/sort01.html

 

[AE 87]

National Leaders Scoring Defense 2016 / Talent Ranking entering 2017 (5 yr average)
1. Alabama/1
2. Michigan/14
3. Ohio State/2
4. Wisconsin/ outside top 25
5. LSU/3
6. Florida/10
7. Auburn/7
8. Washington/25
9. Ap State/outside top 25
10. Clemson/12

National Leaders Scoring Offense 2016 / Talent Ranking entering 2017 (5 yr composite)
1. W Kentucky/outside top 25
2. La Tech/outside top 25
3. Oklahoma/15
4. S Florida/outside top 25
5. Texas Tech/outside top 25
6. Louisville/outside top 25
7. Tulsa/outside top 25
8. Washington/25
9. Western Michigan/outside top 25
10. Pitt/outside top 25

http://www.cbssports.com/college-fo...ll-teams-with-the-best-players-entering-2017/
http://www.cfbstats.com/2016/leader/national/team/defense/split01/category09/sort01.html
http://www.cfbstats.com/2016/leader/national/team/offense/split01/category09/sort01.html

Thanks.

I wonder about the difference in pwr5 vs not pwr5, but agree that talent differential is a reasonable inference.