Farewell to Van Malone

[mrydel]

180-62
Average margin of loss - 39.3 points

We cut into that figure

[blackoutpony]

It might be a strength on a very poor defense but those guys wearing blue on the Offensive Line with 144 starts flat embarrassed each and every SMU Defensive Lineman

D Line got absolutely murdered today. Film session is gonna be brutal, and rightfully so.

[Stallion]

180-62
Average margin of loss - 39.3 points

We cut into that figure

Does anybody know what the hell he is talking about? We've lost by 3, 20, 21, 7 and 13. 3 of those teams are likely top 15, Navy may be Top 25 if they beat Notre Dame and UH is a bowl team-

[Grant Carter]

He was talking about the last 3 games against Memphis, except we had 52 points, not 62.

[PonySnob]

He was talking about the last 3 games against Memphis, except we had 52 points, not 62.

You are correct, so the actual loss margin is closer to 43 points per game.

[SoCal_Pony]

Van, you're making me work.

Here are the yards we gave up per opponent vs what that opponent averages per game this season.

SFA - yards vs SMU 219. Season Avg yards per game - dunno, D1-AA
NTSU - yards vs SMU 493. Season Avg 476
TCU - yards vs SMU 619. Season Avg 434
Ark St - yards vs SMU 427. Season Avg 453
UConn - yards vs SMU 400. Season Avg 412
Coogs - yards vs SMU 463. Season Avg 441
Cincy - yards vs SMU 438. Season Avg 356
UCF - yards vs SMU 615. Season Avg 538
Navy - yards vs SMU 559. Season Avg 468
Memphis - yards vs SMU 664. Season Avg 503

Now of course our opponents averages are skewed by the fact that I am including our game in their average. Memphis averaged ~483 yards per game until they played us.

[Charleston Pony]

Van, you're making me work.

Here are the yards we gave up per opponent vs what that opponent averages per game this season.

SFA - yards vs SMU 219. Season Avg yards per game - dunno, D1-AA
NTSU - yards vs SMU 493. Season Avg 476
TCU - yards vs SMU 619. Season Avg 434
Ark St - yards vs SMU 427. Season Avg 453
UConn - yards vs SMU 400. Season Avg 412
Coogs - yards vs SMU 463. Season Avg 441
Cincy - yards vs SMU 438. Season Avg 356
UCF - yards vs SMU 615. Season Avg 538
Navy - yards vs SMU 559. Season Avg 468
Memphis - yards vs SMU 664. Season Avg 503

Now of course our opponents averages are skewed by the fact that I am including our game in their average. Memphis averaged ~483 yards per game until they played us.

So are you actually suggesting our defense stinks? Blasphemy! While you were doing your research, did you check to see points scored against our D vs the opponent's season average? We might far slightly better by that measurement. Bend but don't break!

[SoCal_Pony]

I didn't CP, too much work.

TCU can be argued an outlier, I get that.

But the past 4 weeks, D has really struggled.

I do think Van and specifically these last 4 weeks, may have given us 1 more year of CM. Also think CM wants to leave and therefore, IF he stays, he has to replace him.

[Charleston Pony]

I didn't CP, too much work.

TCU can be argued an outlier, I get that.

But the past 4 weeks, D has really struggled.

I do think Van and specifically these last 4 weeks, may have given us 1 more year of CM. Also think CM wants to leave and therefore, IF he stays, he has to replace him.

Tend to agree. Loyalty is one thing, but too much pressure to win and right now this D isn't giving us much hope.

[ebrooks11]

So basically we held the JV teams below their average and the varsity got more than their average.

[OLEJACKETFAN]

I would agree Malone has done a lot for SMU, because he probably helped CM to be here a fourth year! Not all VM fault but he has cost CM a couple million dollars in a round about way!!! Chad will replace him! I wonder what the D is ranked now compared to last 5 years.

[Greenwich Pony]

Look, I'm as disappointed with the losses we have as anybody but a little reality check. We're where we should be, beating teams we should beat and we've lost to teams that we thought were better. I think VM has actually had this defense playing out of their minds all year. We just don't have the depth and talent on that side of the ball, and they're managed to come through for us when the much more talented offense has sputtered. This team is 6-4, where it basically should be but without our defense, we could very easily be 4-6 right now. Van has done a good job with too few good pieces. We need more defensive recruiting and some JUCO players and the offense needs to get better too so the guys aren't on the field after so many 3 and outs.

[JasonB]

Look, I'm as disappointed with the losses we have as anybody but a little reality check. We're where we should be, beating teams we should beat and we've lost to teams that we thought were better. I think VM has actually had this defense playing out of their minds all year. We just don't have the depth and talent on that side of the ball, and they're managed to come through for us when the much more talented offense has sputtered. This team is 6-4, where it basically should be but without our defense, we could very easily be 4-6 right now. Van has done a good job with too few good pieces. We need more defensive recruiting and some JUCO players and the offense needs to get better too so the guys aren't on the field after so many 3 and outs.

Here are the points I would disagree with:
* Matt Rhule built Temple from a dumpster fire to good in a short amount of time.
* Morris turned our offense from dumpster fire to outstanding in only three classes
* We should expect Van Malone could turn our defense from dumpster fire into halfway adequate in only three classes
* The coaching staff believes we have talent at DL, one corner, and safety. They believe we have enough to be adequate.

We should expect more. Whether it is the scheme or the players or some combo of the two, some of the coaching staff should be held responsible. Something needs to change because more of the same won't get us any better.

[MV pony]

The coaching staff also said we had 3 quality QBs competing for the job.

[smitty329]

I didn't CP, too much work.

TCU can be argued an outlier, I get that.

But the past 4 weeks, D has really struggled.

I do think Van and specifically these last 4 weeks, may have given us 1 more year of CM. Also think CM wants to leave and therefore, IF he stays, he has to replace him.

Boredom/ADD on a Sunday morning -
1) I limited to AAC teams and their stats against conf opponents
2) I did not adjust for non-defensive scores - i.e. pick 6, special teams, etc.:

SMU Defensive Stats vs AAC.jpg (67.58 KiB) Viewed 1920 times