Drive Charts: Pokes Take Advantage of Fewer Drives Than Normal

Oklahoma State normally sees about 14-15 real drives in a college football game, but on Thursday against Virginia Tech, they only saw 10 real drives. That’s mostly because VT moves like a baby taking her first steps offensively, but the Cowboys took advantage of the precious few opportunities they had (mostly).

Let’s take a deep dive.

OSU Drive Chart

Virginia Tech came in averaging 1.2 points per drive given up on defense. OSU nearly tripled that if you want to take out the final drive of the game (I leave it in, but it would be reasonable to take it out).

It was a little bumpy at the end of both halves, but the middle was pretty impressive. OSU scored on three-straight drives in the second and third quarters and should have had another on a fourth-down drop by Sione Finefeuiaki.

Also, how about that 7-play, 7-yard drive. Bet there haven’t been many of those in the Mike Gundy era.

OSU’s Pertinent Stats

• Points per drive (offense): 2.72
• Points per drive (defense): 1.91
• Yards per play: 7.8
• Third-down conversions: 5/12 (42 percent)
• Average starting field position: own 27-yard line
• Red-zone scoring: 1/1
• Points off turnovers: 3
• Time of possession: 21:47

It’s crazy that OSU only got to the red zone one time. It’s also crazy (albeit expected) that they barely had the ball for a third of the game. Lastly, Gundy said after the game that OSU was hoping for 5.5 yards per play and they averaged 7.8. Everybody together now: Mike. Yurcich. Is Good.

Virginia Tech Drive Chart

Virginia Tech’s first two drives were pretty impressive, and they should have gotten points on the second one but didn’t. Still, if you hold any Power 5 team to fewer than 2.0 points per drive (which OSU did), you should win the football game. And if you have OSU’s offense, you should dominate the football game.

VT’s Pertinent Stats

• Points per drive (offense): 1.91
• Points per drive (defense): 2.72
• Yards per play: 5.6
• Third-down conversions: 10/18 (56 percent)
• Average starting field position: own 26-yard line
• Red-zone scoring: 2/3
• Points off turnovers: 0
• Time of possession: 38:13

The third down conversion number is not great if you’re an OSU fan. OSU is likely to finish outside the top 65 (currently No. 68) in third-down conversions given up when the season is over.

It seemed like the Hokies did everything they wanted to do … other than score.

“We had a plan, and we executed it well at times,” said VT coach Justin Fuente. “I don’t really remember Oklahoma State making very many, if any, mistakes. We made a handful, just enough to keep us from pulling the thing off. That’s not to say Oklahoma State doesn’t deserve credit for winning the football game. They do. They have a fine football team. They’re well coached, and they did a good job.

“I’m awfully proud of my squad, too. They prepared well. Guys played their tails off. They really worked out hard and laid it out there.”