People keep bashing the offense

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(11-22-2017, 07:07 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: I believe they're hurting each other. I can't buy into the "offense is making the defense tired" narrative because we've given up far more points in the first half than the 2nd. Teams have been running well on us and converting hella 3rd downs in the first half.

I don't agree with your assertion that most turnovers happen when teams have a big lead, either. We had many of the same offensive issues last year, yet we were 8th in turnovers forced. We rarely had a big lead, and most of our forced turnovers came in tightly contested games. 

This is not me letting the offense off the hook. Our run game ranking dead last is seriously hurting us in TOP...but the defense is a mirror of our offense. We're 32nd in rush yards...but 28th in rush yards allowed. On offense we are 30th in 3rd down % and 31st in 3rd down conversions. On defense, we're 28th and 32nd in those categories. Sprinkle in how we're 27th in forced turnovers, and boom. Now you know why we're so abysmal in TOP.

It's not one or the other...it's both.

Most turnovers happen at the end of halfs when teams are on the clock or when a team forces them to be one dimensional. It allows the defensive line to pin their ears back and attack the QB instead of worrying about holding edge. It forces opposing teams to try to make plays that aren't their to catch up. Negative plays (Sacks, Turnovers) are more likely to happen in those situations.