EA's Ratings vs Actual 2007 Total Offense and Defense rankings

[AuburnAlumni]

For the hell of it....

Here are the final Top 20 Total Defense and Total Offense Rankings from last year and the NCAA 09 Preseason Ratings on the game. I was interested to see how they match up.

Total Defense Yards Allowed (NCAA 09 Rating)
1 OHIST 235.2 (99)
2 USC 273.2 (99)
3 LSU 288.8 (96)
4 VATCH 296.9 (89)
5 PITT 297.7 (76)
6 AUB 297.9 (87)
7 WVIRG 301.7 (80)
8 OREST 306.2 (80)
9 PENST 308.2 (94)
10 CLEM 308.5 (92)
11 BYU 310.2 (73)
12 KANS 317.3 (78)
13 WKEN 319.6 (omitted due to playing IAA schedule last year)
14 NEWMEX 319.9 (66)
15 UGA 323.2 (99)
16 TCU 323.6 (78)
17 VANDY 325.2 (71)
18 MISST 328.5 (78)
19 UTAH 328.5 (69)
20 BCOLL 329.4 (80)

Total Offense Yards Per Game (NCAA 09 Rating)
1 TULSA 543.9 (77)
2 TXTCH 528.8 (92)
3 HAW 512.1 (75)
4 HOUS 501.9 (73)
5 MIZZOU 490.3 (96)
6 LVILLE 488.0 (81)
7 OKLST 486.3 (83)
8 KANS 479.4 (81)
9 NEB 468.2 (88)
10 ORE 467.5 (81)
11 NEV 467.5 (77)
12 BOIST 467.4 (81)
13 TEXAS 462.9 (88)
14 FLA 457.2 (96)
15 WVIRG 456.2 (90)
16 TROY 452.8 (70)
17 ARK 449.9 (79)
18 RUTG 449.2 (81)
19 OKLA 448.9 (99)
20 TOL 448.4 (75)

[Scott]

Wow Utah got the Shaft...

[bad_philanthropy]

I can somewhat understand Oregon State's low rating since they are replacing their entire front seven. But I wouldn't be surprised if they perform almost as well with how well players in that system are coached.

I also definitely think Ohio State's success on defense is a product of playing in the Big 10. Just wait until more teams in that conference that are able to put better athletes on the field move to a spread (Illinois already gave us a glimpse).

[Scott]

Well Tulsa should be lower since they are losing Paul Smith..

[bad_philanthropy]

Why are Kansas and Oregon only rated 81, which is the same as Duke?

[AuburnAlumni]

Some that really jump out to me are....

Defense: Pitt (They return a bunch of guys off that D and aren't even an 80 overall), Utah and New Mexico (I don't care what conference you play in, if you finish in the top 20 nationally in total defense, you shouldn't be a 69), and Vandy (They finished in the top 20 playing in a major conference and get a 71 rating?) Auburn is the SIXTH Best defense....in the SEC. If Tennessee, Florida, and South Carolina can all have at least a 92 on Defense..how in holy hell does Auburn get an 87?

Offense: Nothing too ridiculous although I would give Kansas, Oregon, and Boise State a bit more love, regardless of lost starters.

[merg311]

Quote: Originally Posted by bad_philanthropy

Why are Kansas and Oregon only rated 81, which is the same as Duke?

Tell me about it! I don't get it! KU has 16 starters returning from a very young and talented 12-1 team last year. I was expecting them to be in the 84-87 OVR, 86-90 OFF, and 81-85 DEF.

[bad_philanthropy]

Quote: Originally Posted by AuburnAlumni

Some that really jump out to me are.... Defense: Pitt (They return a bunch of guys off that D and aren't even an 80 overall), Utah and New Mexico (I don't care what conference you play in, if you finish in the top 20 nationally in total defense, you shouldn't be a 69), and Vandy (They finished in the top 20 playing in a major conference and get a 71 rating?) Offense: Nothing too ridiculous although I would give Kansas, Oregon, and Boise State a bit more love, regardless of lost starters.

Since you follow the SEC, is there good reason for Ole Miss having an 86 offense and 87 defense? Technically they're a better team than Auburn in the game which doesn't seem like it would be the case during a coaching change year.