Drive Charts: Pokes Torch Surprisingly Strong KU Defense

There’s nothing like going to Lawrence to get you back on track on both sides of the ball. OSU pounded Kansas 48-28 on Saturday (a cover!) and got back to some more respectable numbers on offense and defense after whatever that was we saw against Texas Tech two weeks ago. Let’s take a look.

OSU Drive Charts

It got a little sideways in the middle, but I love seeing five TDs on either end of the chart. Also, this might be the closest thing I’ve seen to a drive chart palindrome.

OSU’s Pertinent Stats

• Points per drive (offense): 3.4
• Yards per play: 8.6
• Third-down conversions: 4/11 (36 percent)
• Average starting field position: own 36-yard line
• Red-zone scoring: 6/7
• Points off turnovers: 0
• Time of possession: 31:20

That’s a strong offensive PPD number. And before you say, “It’s Kansas,” you should check out what Kansas’ defense has been doing this year. I know their schedule hasn’t been SEC West-strong, but they came in No. 11 in the nation in defensive points per drive.

Kansas’ Drive Charts

Eight drives of 10 yards or less looks like Oklahoma State against Texas Tech.

Kansas’ Pertinent Stats

• Points per drive (offense): 2.0
• Yards per play: 5.8
• Third-down conversions: 3/13 (23 percent)
• Average starting field position: own 24-yard line
• Red-zone scoring: 1/1
• Points off turnovers: 0
• Time of possession: 28:40

That red-zone scoring though! I guess the flip side of what I noted above is that KU came into this game averaging 1.6 points per drive (100th in the country) against some not great teams. OSU let them get beyond that, albeit without some horses it normally has on defense. Still, 69 combined to KU and Texas Tech doesn’t bode well for the Jim Knowles Big 12 Experiment.