A quick look at VT's defense by the numbers

So how good was the VT defense yesterday? Who knows 1 data points isn't enough, but well lets fudge some numbers and make us sound awesome. Toot, Toot, here comes the hype train!

One of the issues VT has had in the past is giving up big plays. So how did VT do?
15 Plays of 10+ yards
3 plays of 20+ yards
2 plays of 30+ yards

The 23 yard pass came in the drive before halftime to set up a FG.
Then there was a 36 yard pass on a desperation 4th and 8 to set up a game tying (if you gave NC State +20) TD. This happened with less than 5 minutes left in the 3rd.
At just under 9 minutes left in the game they hit a 37 yard pass that would go on to pull them with in 21 and would be the final score.

So how does this compare? So far this year NC State's offense ranks 9th in plays of 30 yards or more per game (VT ranks 3rd behind the Mississippis). So far this is a huge improvement over last year's NC state offense since in two games they are almost half way to their 2019 total. From a 10+ yard gain, NC state is just slightly above their 2019 average this year, but they are much more explosive for 20+ and 30+ yard games. They have almost 50% more 20+ and 30+ yard gains per game in 2020 than in 2019. For VT's defense, the 15 10+ yard plays is slightly more than our average of 13 in 2019, but inline with what NC State produced last year and less than what they did against Wake. The 2 30+ yard plays are slightly under our 2019 average (2.1). But what is more impressive is that that we allows almost 50% fewer plays of 20+ yards per game than in 2019. So NC State is more explosive in 2020 than 2019, but VT held did a better job in 2020 than in 2019 with plays of 20+ yards.

Now lets look at run vs pass. NC state was almost perfectly balanced this season:

Now lets look at VT's defense:

NC State carved Wake up on the ground.

Looking at the VT 2019 defense (on a per conference basis):

When you look at it that way, we are pretty close to our defensive play from last year with a couple fewer 20+ yard plays than expected. So I guess than means we'll have to wait for French's film review to tell us how awesome we are.

On second thought screw that! We have had a seamless transition from Bud to Justin! We have a DC that doesn't even have to show up at the game to be as good as the greatest Defensive Coordinator! Just think of what's going to happen when he actually gets to coach his players up in the game. Broyles award here we come!