Some kind of interesting numbers I saw.
SMU's defense is currently dead last in America in number of pass attempts faced per game. Teams average 41.9 throws against them per game, which would actually be the highest number faced by any team since 2021. Of course, some of this is a byproduct of them facing a lot of plays in general, due to how Lashlee plays offense. They're 123rd in time of possession, so of course your defense is on the field a lot, and of course you're going to face a high volume of plays.
But I thought the mix was interesting. Essentially 42 throws a game, and it's not like they're winning by a lot every week where every team has to throw.
So teams are clearly targeting the throw game against them. Again, it's not game script dependent, their defense is 6th in rushing rate over expected, meaning teams are throwing against them at a very high rate even when the situation usually calls for a run.
And it makes sense, they're not very good at defending it. Advanced analytics I look at have them at 63rd against the pass. And the 2 teams they've faced who can actually throw have killed them. Baylor and TCU. Both those teams TORCHED them in terms of EPA per pass. The teams who didn't.....Stanford, Syracuse, Clemson with a backup QB, and Wake. All terrible throwing the football.
I've been saying all week this is their 5th consecutive game and they face a ton of plays every week, we should be able to wear them out, but I still hope we throw the ball at a higher rate than we have this year.
