The 2017 Bison compared to past title teams (by the numbers)

[Professor Chaos]

I already had this done for the first 5 title teams so I figured I'd add all the stats in for the 2017 team to see how they stacked up and let's just say they were impressive to say the least.

Here's the overall season numbers (best season for each stat category is highlighted):




Here's the regular season numbers:




Here's the playoff numbers:




Some things that stood out for me:

• The run game was absolutely dominant. A half yard per carry higher in the regular season than any other year, more rush yards per game than any other year, and more rushing TDs than any other year.
• A 14.5% 3rd down conversion defense in the playoffs is just stupid good.
• A 100+ point spread in passing efficiency compared to defensive passing efficiency in the playoffs is simply astounding.
• The 2017 defense on the season has the best defensive pass efficiency and lowest rush yards per game allowed of any D1 title team. It's a legit question to ask if this was the best defense the Bison have ever had in the D1 era.
• Speaking of efficiency the 2017 offense had the highest yards per pass attempt and tied for the highest (with 2013) yards per rush attempt.

By the numbers this year's team clearly exceeded all the other title teams except for the 2013 team. Now you can make the argument that the 2013 team played a tough FBS opponent that skews the numbers a bit and, of course, the 2013 team is all by itself with a 0 in the L column but these 2017 Bison should go down as one of the best teams in the history of NDSU football.

[Rixen]

Super interesting. Thanks, Chaos!

[semobison]

Thanks Chaos, always interesting but this years stats are a little inflated due to our cupcake OOC schedule! We put up some monster numbers the first three games. I always found conference only stats an interesting way to compare our current team to previous Bison teams. The 2017 wasn't as good as 2013 team IMO but you could argue that they were as good as any other of our championship teams.

[MNLonghorn10]

Thanks Chaos, always interesting but this years stats are a little inflated due to our cupcake OOC schedule! We put up some monster numbers the first three games. I always found conference only stats an interesting way to compare our current team to previous Bison teams. The 2017 wasn't as good as 2013 team IMO but you could argue that they were as good as any other of our championship teams.

Id say....

QB=wash
WRs-2013
TE's-2017
RB's-2017(if all healthy)
OL-2013
DL-Wash...2013 had a pro on it, 2017s 2 deep was sick and missing an all american
LB's-2017
Secondary-2013
Punter-2013 by a mile
Kicker-2013

[EC8CH]

Id say....

QB=wash
WRs-2013
TE's-2017
RB's-2017(if all healthy)
OL-2013
DL-Wash...2013 had a pro on it, 2017s 2 deep was sick and missing an all american
LB's-2017
Secondary-2013
Punter-2013 by a mile
Kicker-2013

Mustaches-2017

[MNLonghorn10]

Mustaches-2017

was there a stache out in 2013? If so, wash

[BisonNeil]

The only slight modification I would suggest is that in the 'overall' stat spreadsheet near the bottom (third from bottom) in "opponents red zone TD %" 2013 is highlighted with 44.4%, but 2017 also had 44.4% so the two years are tied. In other situations when two years were tied, they are both highlighted. However, an insignificant modification given the overall quality of what you have put together!!!!

[HerdBot]

Wow what a rushing attack!! That is the best rushing attack in our D1 history. 48 rushing TDs are you kidding me! Still seems like our rushing game was more explosive but still struggles at times on 1st down but these numbers are insane

As far as passing goes, Brock Jensens senior year was absolutely dominant. Hopefully Easton saves his best for last.

Defense was incredible. I hope everyone appreciated just how epic it was to have DeLuca and Cox on the field at the same time. Our safeties were ball hawks. Our corners played well all season. Front 4 was insanely good vs the run and started to peak late in the year and get pressure

On paper this is the best team statistically but I would still take the 2013 team because they went undefeated and beat Kansas State. And didn't lose to SDSU.

[BisonFanAnn]

Thanks - that is a lot of fun to look at!

[MNLonghorn10]

I ran through the numbers to see if i could spot any mistakes. youre way off on opponent red zone scoring % in the 2012 playoffs.