Today’s blog will continue with my series of analyzing the most/least improved units over the last 20 years. Each day this week I will have a new offensive or defensive statistical category to examine and today I will breakdown total defensive yards.

There are many factors that contribute to a significant change in total defense. First, a team may see a significant improvement if they return a bunch of experienced starters from a team that was relatively inexperienced the year before. Naturally a team that loses a bunch of starters especially their star players from an experienced team will usually see a drop off in total defense.

Another factor may be a coaching change. Usually a coach is more experienced at one side of the ball than the other (especially if they were just a coordinator in their previous job) and this could lead to a change in total defense. A “defensive” minded coach could come in and improve the defense as a whole by possibly instituting a more physical and attacking defense while a “offensive” minded coach may be more conservative on the defensive side of the ball and the total defense ypg could suffer.

Whatever the case may be here are all the teams that improved by at least 125 ypg of total defense compared to the prior season. Quick note for many of the smaller schools in the WAC, MAC and Sun Belt: my data only goes back to 1995 for those teams so it would include the last 15 years instead of the last 20.

Most Improved Total Defense YPG L/20 years

The most improved total defense of the last 20 years was Chuck Amato’s 2004 NC State Wolfpack. In 2003 the Wolfpack returned just four starters from a 2002 defense that gave up just 17.0 ppg and 301 total ypg. However, NC State fell dramatically to allow 421 ypg and 29.6 ppg. In 2004, the Wolfpack returned 9 starters and their numbers improved significantly allowing just 221 total ypg, a 200 ypg improvement.

At #2 is the 2006 Western Michigan Broncos who improved dramatically in HC Bill Cubit’s 2nd year. In 2004, the Broncos gave up 39.6 ppg and 480 ypg in Gary Darnell’s final year. Western Michigan brought in Cubit and the defense improved to allow 31.1 ppg and 450 ypg in 2005. Then the following year the defense took a huge step forward as they only allowed 19.9 ppg and 275 total ypg, a 175 ypg improvement!

The #3 most improved total defense of the last 20 years also occurred in 2006. In Bret Bielema’s first year, the Badger defense improved dramatically as they allowed just 253 total ypg which was significantly better than the 418 ypg they allowed in Barry Alavarez’s final season. This was one of the key factors in the Badgers’ very successful 12-1 season.

Now here is a look at all of the teams who gave up at least 125 total defensive yards more than the prior year. Keep in mind again that my data only goes back to 1995 for some of the smaller schools.

Least Improved Total Defense YPG L/20 Years

The least improved total defense of the last 20 years is the 1996 Baylor Bears who gave up 204 total ypg more than the prior year. Like I mentioned in the rush defense blog, the Bears found their transition to the Big 12 to be difficult as they faced many more powerful offenses in the newly formed conference.

At #2 is the 1998 Navy Midshipmen who returned just 2 starters from a defense that have up just 19.0 ppg and 263 total ypg in 1997. With so many experienced starters gone, Navy allowed 463 total ypg and went from being 7-4 in ’97 to just 3-8 in ’98.

Finally the #3 least improved total defense of the last 20 years is the 1997 Louisville Cardinals who in Ron Cooper’s final season went from allowing just 236 ypg in ’96 to 422 ypg in ’97 and that was a critical factor in the Cards finishing just 1-10 on the season.

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I will be back tomorrow with a look at the most/least improved offensive ppg of the last 20 years.

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