2016 season in review

[azgreg]

Hey, let's have some fun and discussion this past season.

let's use conference games and stats only as OOC schedules are pretty different.

http://pac-12.com/content/football-statistics" target="_blank

Standings:

North Div:

1) Washington 8-1 / 11-1
2) Washington St 7-2 / 8-4
3) Stanford 6-3 / 9-3
4) California 3-6 / 5-7
5) Oregon St 3-6 / 4-8
6) Oregon 2-7 / 4-8

South Div:

1) Colorado 8-1 / 10-2
2) USC 7-2 / 9-3
3) Utah 5-4 / 8-4
4) Arizona St 2-7 / 5-7
5) UCLA 2-7 / 4-8
6) Arizona 1-8 / 3-9

Scoring Offense:

1) Washington 43.2
2) Washington State 39.8
3) California 33.8
4) USC 33.2
5) Oregon 32.9
6) Colorado 32.1
7) Utah 31.6
8) Arizona State 28.4
9) Stanford 25.9
10) Oregon State 25.6
11) UCLA 24.0
12) Arizona 22.6

Scoring Defense:

1) Colorado 18.4
2) USC 20.0
3) Washington 20.4
4) Stanford 22.4
5) Washington State 27.1
6) Utah 27.9
7) UCLA 29.3
8) Oregon State 32.3
9) Arizona State 42.4
10) California 43.6
11) Arizona 43.7
12) Oregon 45.3

[azgreg]

Total Offense:

1) USC 511.0
2) Washington 505.7
3) Washington State 491.9
4) California 490.8
5) Oregon 473.8
6) Colorado 459.9
7) Utah 430.4
8) Arizona 400.2
9) Stanford 376.3
10) Oregon State 373.8
11) UCLA 359.3
12) Arizona State 345.8

Total Defense:

1) Washington 348.8
2) Colorado 351.9
3) USC 353.6
4) Stanford 383.8
5) UCLA 393.4
6) Washington State 412.8
7) Utah 427.1
8) Oregon State 443.9
9) Arizona 480.7
10) California 523.0
11) Arizona State 543.0
12) Oregon 557.0

[azgreg]

Rushing Offense:

1) Arizona 237.3
2) USC 226.4
3) Washington 226.1
4) Utah 224.2
5) Stanford 214.8
6) Oregon State 207.7
7) Oregon 203.2
8) Colorado 203.0
9) California 163.3
10) Washington State 128.6
11) Arizona State 88.4
12) UCLA 68.6

Rushing Defense:

1) USC 128.8
2) Utah 137.6
3) Washington 138.9
4) Colorado 141.3
5) Washington State 142.9
6) Stanford 149.8
7) UCLA 184.1
8) Arizona State 192.9
9) Arizona 209.9
10) Oregon State 228.4
11) California 265.1
12) Oregon 272.0

[azgreg]

Passing Offense:

1) Washington State 363.3
2) California 327.4
3) UCLA 290.8
4) USC 284.6
5) Washington 279.6
6) Oregon 270.6
7) Arizona State 257.3
8) Colorado 256.9
9) Utah 206.2
10) Oregon State 166.1
11) Arizona 162.9
12) Stanford 161.6

Passing Defense:

1) UCLA 209.3
2) Washington 209.9
3) Colorado 210.6
4) Oregon State 215.4
5) USC 224.8
6) Stanford 234.0
7) California 257.9
8) Washington State 269.9
9) Arizona 270.8
10) Oregon 285.0
11) Utah 289.6
12) Arizona State 350.1

[azcat49]

We gave up almost 44 a game in conference. What a joke. Even with a 56 point outburst we still only averaged 22 a game on offense. No wonder we went 1-8.

Initial thoughts is what is RR smoking where he thinks a bunch of freshman will turn that around next year. Need to get much improved play from our receivers as our QB's can't fit anything in a tight window, those guys have to eb wide open and get some separation.

If we can score we can win some games. It was the offense that let us down and while we could easily point to the RB situation I think it was the throwing game that led to our issues. Our receiving corp, especially our outside guys were terrible

[azgreg]

Turnover Margin:

1) Washington +11
2) Utah +8
3) Colorado +7
4) Washington +3
5) California +0
6) Stanford -1
6) Arizona State +1
8) UCLA -2
9) Oregon State -3
10) USC -4
11) Oregon -5
12) Arizona -13

That's enough for today.

[ASUHATER!]

Yeah I think we only caused 14 turnovers this year. We only had 1 kickoff or punt return over 30 yards, we had no defensive or special teams touchdowns, no blocked punts or kicks...

[azgreg]

Yeah I think we only caused 14 turnovers this year. We only had 1 kickoff or punt return over 30 yards, we had no defensive or special teams touchdowns, no blocked punts or kicks...

Our total offense numbers weren't terrible, but because of poor kick/punt returns and lack of turnovers we had to go the length of the field every fucking time.

[Harvey Specter]

The only stat that matters at the end of a game is the score.

We were last in Scoring Offense, and next to last in Scoring Defense. That sums it up for me...

The fact that we were worst in turnover margin is the cherry on top.

[TuiTouchdown]

Some of the biggest surprises for me came on the DLine, Larry Tharpe Jr. and Belknap. I know people were talking up Belknap over the summer and during Fall camp, but he was in the backfield a ton. And Larry Tharpe Jr., aside from a couple of stupid penalties was one of our more productive DLinemen.

The optimistic side of me is hopeful. Larry Tharpe Jr is a redshirt Sophomore and Belknap a redshirt Frosh. Two more years of Tharpe will be a great thing. The flip side of that, however, is how were they our most dominant DLinemen, as walk-ons? What happened to Connolly or some of our other 3* recruits?

[azcat49]

RR has never had a recruited scholorship Dlineman make a difference in 5 years. Let that sink in for awhile

[cordera89]

RR has never had a recruited scholorship Dlineman make a difference in 5 years. Let that sink in for awhile

How many Decent top level DLinemen recruits don't consider Arizona as destination to play four year in? By all means let that one sink in just for second. Now if that the best RR can come up with then that best Arizona can pile up with. We got yates and defensive staff for round 2 so let them handle that issue.

[PHXCATS]

Disappointing season but great ending. A few young promising pieces. Would think without Zack passing away the line plays better. A few less injuries and this team likely makes a bowl. Oh well onto 2017. Forever 65

[RazorsEdgeAZ]

Obviously many issues with the team. Think most thought it would be another rough year for the Defense especially with new staff. But I put most of the reasons for this season on Offense then ST.

Look RR's thing is Offense. Opportunistic defense. Tempo and score. RR reputation is Offense and put up big scores. Generally perennial top 20 ranked in FBS. Even top10. Total offense 66th this year. Scoring offense 99th.

It's the defense too, don't get me wrong. I'm talking about a staple in a RR team... Offense just tanked scoring wise this year. And I think recruiting tanked for BOTH sides of the ball since 2015 class. Further away from Stoops recruits the trajectory goes down. It happened on both sides of the ball.

Just stats Offensive-Defensive PPG for Conference Play only:

2016 O-22.6 PPG D-43.7 PPG
2015 O-30.9 D-40.3
2014 O-35.7 D-26.9 (South title)
2013 O-29.1 D-30 (Denker QB)
2012 O-34.2 D-39.5

Also, something that always sort of bothered me. If a team wins one or three conference games only and you have newer players "contributing" does it really count the same as players contributing on teams with winning records? I mean teams have to field players. Just because they "contributed" to a historically bad team (underclassmen) does it mean the same? Can it automatically count as a future strength?

[Merkin]

Nice player development RichRod!

[Harvey Specter]

How many 1st and 2nd team All Conference Players have we had in the last 5 years... And how many of them have been players that RR recruited?

People pointed to that measure as evidence that Stoops was a bad recruiter....

[RazorsEdgeAZ]

How many 1st and 2nd team All Conference Players have we had in the last 5 years... And how many of them have been players that RR recruited?

People pointed to that measure as evidence that Stoops was a bad recruiter....

Two as RR recruit: Steven Gurrola 2nd team, Scooby Wright (also POTY)

Others; Carey, Hill, Matt Scott, Riggleman

[chiefzona]

What a train wreck. No player development. It's a marvel that Rich Rod still has a job.

[whatisee]

What a train wreck. No player development. It's a marvel that Rich Rod still has a job.

He does...suck it up and be positive. We have a lot to look forward too. (hopefully a new strength coach) JJ Taylor leading the charge behind a returning staring line, and solid backups in Wilson, Tilford, & Green. Wood acting like Gronk with Brown and Denson on the inside and outside. The future is bright! I'm ready to drink the kool aide,

[PHXCATS]

Suck it up buttercup Chief. RR has done great things in the game. Michigan in 2011 was due to RR. While we would like to see more development not all of it is on RR. Not a brand name, lack of fan support compared to other schools, injuries etc. some on RR some not. No Fleck or Herman (yes Herman is at Texas already) then one more year from RR is the right move.

Chief are you going TO go back home in a WEEK?

[Sid]

What a train wreck. No player development. It's a marvel that Rich Rod still has a job.

He does...suck it up and be positive. We have a lot to look forward too. (hopefully a new strength coach) JJ Taylor leading the charge behind a returning staring line, and solid backups in Wilson, Tilford, & Green. Wood acting like Gronk with Brown and Denson on the inside and outside. The future is bright! I'm ready to drink the kool aide,

You had me at JJ Taylor....

Seriously, no way we go to OT against UW with a healthy JJ and that would've been a huge win for the program. This one player gives me something to mutha fucking believe in, can't wait to see this kid play again!

[uacat540]

Its amazing how bad the offense was this year, to be above Furd by 1 yard in passing is just incredible. Who would have ever thought "Man, i miss BJ denker" would be said in Arizona football history.

[Puerco]

Yeah, it was that lack of running game that killed us.

[Chicat]

[ASUHATER!]

mmm nothing works as well as the transitive property for teams that had bad seasons.

[azgreg]

Fun site: http://www.myteamisbetterthanyourteam.com/default.asp" target="_blank

[Spaceman Spiff]

Also, we beat ASU.

[Longhorned]

Where were we last December 19?

[Harvey Specter]

Suck it up buttercup Chief. RR has done great things in the game. Michigan in 2011 was due to RR. While we would like to see more development not all of it is on RR. Not a brand name, lack of fan support compared to other schools, injuries etc. some on RR some not. No Fleck or Herman (yes Herman is at Texas already) then one more year from RR is the right move.

Chief are you going TO go back home in a WEEK?

One more year from RR is the right move... in part because of the expense of firing him, and in part because of the chips he earned in '14 - but those are all spent.

But the part in bold?

- Michigan in '11 was good. But if you are saying it was because of the players he recruited there (it must be, because the schemes were totally different), then Arizona in '14 was due largely to Stoops... a vast majority of the contributors from that team were inherited. Now the last 2 years with a roster full of his own guys.... And let's completely erase 8-5 record in 2012 from RR's resume of accomplishments in Tucson. No more "Look what he did with the team he inherited" nonsense...

- Yes, fan support is to blame for our dogshit 3-9 season... it could not be that our 4-14 Conference record over the last 2 seasons led to shitty fan support.

No West Coast schools have good fan support when their team SUCKS. NONE.

As for recruiting, the 'brand name' is overrated at all but a handful of schools. The #1 factor impacting recruiting success is the effectiveness of the head coach and his staff AS RECRUITERS, Ours are not very good.

Think Nick Saban would get a Top 5-10 class every year at Arizona? We'll never know, but I'll bet he would.

In 2005, Alabama's recruiting class was ranked 18th by Rivals. Arizona was 21. We had 8 4* recruits and an average * rating of 3.27; Bama had 6 4* recruits and an average * rating of 3.03... the only reason we were not ahead of them is because they signed a bigger class (5 more players).

BTW, LSU was 22 that year.

https://n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2005" target="_blank

[azcat49]

Harvey as always just killing it. Better watch out, Cordero is watching