It's time for our FINAL look at where Notre Dame football team's Defense ranks in certain statistical categories amongst the 120 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision -- FOR THE 2010 SEASON. In today's analysis you'll see how Notre Dame's defense currently stands on a national basis -- as compared to their final ranking for 2009 and against the top team in the country -- in each category this season. Please note: The Notre Dame Defense faced many of the top offensive teams in the country -- 10 of them will be playing in bowl games:
OPPONENTS OFFENSIVE RANKING -- TOTAL OFFENSE:
- #5 in the country -- Tulsa
- #6 in the country -- Michigan
- #14 in the country -- Stanford
- #30 in the country -- USC
- #36 in the country -- Navy
- #37 in the country -- Western Michigan
- #39 in the country -- Michigan State
- #42 in the country -- Utah
NOTRE DAME DEFENSE -- TEAM STATISTICS
Quarterback Sacks: 2010 Rank - #45 with 26 QB sacks -- in 2009 we had 19 QB sacks for the season, ranking us #92 -- Florida State leads the country with 43 QB sacks. IMPROVEMENT!
Tackles for Loss: 2010 Rank - #65 with an average of 5.63 tackles for loss per game -- in 2009 we averaged 6.0 tackles for loss per game, ranking us #48 in the country. Miami, FL leads the country with an average of 8.58 tackles for loss per game.
Interceptions: 2010 Rank - #32 with 14 interceptions -- in 2009 we had 12 interceptions for the season, ranking us #50 -- Alabama leads the country with 21 interceptions. IMPROVEMENT!
First Downs: 2010 Rank - #30 allowing an average of 17.92 first downs per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 19.67 first downs per game, ranking us #72 -- TCU leads the country giving up an average of 11.33 first downs per game. IMPROVEMENT!
Third Down Conversion Rate: 2010 Rank - #22 allowing only 35.08% conversion rate on third down -- in 2009 we allowed a 39.5% conversion rate, ranking us #67 -- TCU leads the country allowing only a 21.85% conversion rate. IMPROVEMENT!
Red Zone Efficiency: 2010 Rank - #53 allowing the team to score 81% of the time -- in 2009 we allowed teams to score 75% of the time, ranking us #15 -- Missouri leads the country allowing teams to score 55% of the time.
Turnovers Gained: 2010 Rank - #54 with 21 turnovers gained -- in 2009 we gained 19 turnovers for the season, ranking us #80 -- Hawaii and Toledo lead the country with 33 turnovers gained this season. IMPROVEMENT!
Rushing Yards: 2010 Rank - #57 giving up an average of 147 yards rushing per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 170 yards rushing per game, ranking us #89 -- Boston College leads the country giving up an average of 80 yards rushing per game. IMPROVEMENT!
Passing Yards: 2010 Rank - #44 giving up an average of 206 yards passing per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 227 yards passing per game, ranking us #76 in the country. TCU leads the country giving up an average of 126 yards passing per game. IMPROVEMENT!
Total Yards: 2010 Rank - #49 giving up 353 yards per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 397 yards per game, ranking us #86 -- TCU leads the country giving up 215 yards per game. IMPROVEMENT!
Points Allowed Per Game: 2010 Rank - #29 giving up 20.5 points per game -- in 2009 we gave up 25.3 points per game, ranking us #63 -- TCU leads the country giving up 11.42 points per game. IMPROVEMENT!
NOTRE DAME DEFENSE -- INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Tackles Per Game:
- Manti Teo -- averaged 10.58 tackles per game -- ranked #16 in the country
Solo Tackles Per Game:
- Manti Teo -- averaged 5.42 solo tackles per game -- ranked #26 in the country
Sacks:
- Darius Fleming -- 5.5 sacks this season -- ranked #81 in the country
- Ethan Johnson -- 5.0 sacks this season -- ranked #97 in the country
- Harrison Smith -- .92 passes defended per game -- ranked #42 in the country
Interceptions
- Harrison Smith -- 4 interceptions this season -- ranked #27 in the country
- Darrin Walls -- 3 interceptions this season -- ranked #61 in the country
NOT BAD FOR A DEFENSE THAT ESPN'S KIRK HERBSTREIT CALLED
"HIGH SCHOOL"