One of These Groups Is Doin’ It’s Own Thing

ND-USC was the perfect showcase for how this team looks: good on offense, horrible on defense. That’s ND all year.

Granted, our offense was stymied in the first half pretty good, but the O caught fire in the second half and put in a solid performance overall. Once again, the D had fits and starts, and moments where we looked good. But too often there were huge gaps in coverage, massive miscommunication, and the inability to make a play.

Let’s look at how USC fared against our D compared to their Non-ND season thus far, and then we’ll do the same for our O against the USC defense. A pretty clear story emerges.

USC Offense vs. ND Defense

Boy, the stats here are ugly. First, ND’s defense gave up 34 points to USC. That’s not great in and of itself. But what’s more disconcerting is that this isn’t some explosive offense from USC. USC’s O has averaged only 29 points this season (against Non-ND competition), with a score of 56 against San Jose State really helping that average (ignoring that 56, USC averages 22 points a contest this year). ND gave up a full TD more than their straight average, and almost 2 more TDs than their 22 points if you ignore SJ State. Not great.

USC’s offense put up 501 total yards against us. That’s over 70 yards more than their average on the year thus far, and USC has played San Jose State and freaking Washington State. ND gave up more yards than WSU. 100 more yards.

And the ND D struggled most mightily against the pass. USC threw for 380 yards. They have averaged only 223 yards/game passing this year outside of ND. 223!!!! ND gave up almost 160 more yards than USC’s average. Ouch.

Our Defense is a mess. Someone please fix it.

ND Offense vs. USC D.

So while the defensive side is struggling, the O is doing a good job this year (obvious, I know). But it’s worth laying out the same stats, as USC has a top-tier D, and our boys hung in there.

On average this year, USC has given up 9 points to non-ND competition. 9!!!! ND put up 27, and almost got to 34. On average, USC has given up only 239 total yards a game. ND went for 367 yards of total production. And USC has averaged giving up 174 passing yards per game. Only 174 against the rest of their schedule, and ND passed for 285.

That’s a pretty solid performance against a really strong defense, even if it was heavily weighted toward the second half.

Our offense is clicking. Again, someone please fix the D.

Please?