Offensive Line experience

[BobbyBlueChip]

In my efforts to find more and more reasons that Notre Dame will be back in the BCS this year, an ND blog pointed me to this article in the Wall Street Journal

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123984090891223207.html#articleTabs=article

and this article preseason last year which had a sidebar about Oline experience and why a team can be successful

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/notebook?page=iform080827

I took a look at Steele's guide and was surprised by how many teams are returning all 5 Olinemen this year (ND is returning 4, but Duncan was out last year due to injury and isn't considered a returning starter)

The following teams are returning all 5 linemen as starters as of the publication of his guide.

Georgia
Vanderbilt
Michigan
Texas AM
Clemson
Florida State
Wake Forest
USC
Rutgers
Southern Miss
East Carolina
UAB
LaTech
SJ State
Toledo
MTSU
FIU
North Texas

 

[BobbyBlueChip]

I don't know where to find Returning Oline stats for previous seasons, so I tried a very unscientific method of looking for teams in the past that have returned all 5 Olinemen according to Steele and how they fared ATS in their first 3 games, their first 5 games and overall. I got through 3 seasons and the ATS records were an uninspiring 42-37, 72-64 and 170-176, respectively. The problem with this approach is it doesn't take into effect injuries between spring and any of the games nor does it take into effect that the returning Oline may be going into a new system like Auburn and West Virginia last year.

So, I know it's important, I just can't tell how much and don't know if it's built into the game line.

 

[IE]

would be nice and i am looking around to break it down and award points to each category to see if the numbers could be refined:

Returning starters

Players who started in their position for at least one game in the previous season and return to start in the same position are notable.

Three Year Starters

Players who started in their position for at least three seasons are notable.

Four Year Starters

Players who started in their position for at least four seasons are notable.

All-Americans

Anyone declared an All-American is notable.

 

[thebsmanofkent]

Good stuff.... the OL is a huge part of the handicapping equation, as far as Im concerned.

It seems like that stuff comes in cycles- teams
that return 4 or 5 starters.


GL this season.....:SIB

 

[bej0101]

i think the oline returners are very imp IF the team has quality skill players returning as well, especially qb

 

[AR182]

Good stuff.... the OL is a huge part of the handicapping equation, as far as Im concerned.

.....:SIB

defintely agree with you.....line play on both sides of the ball are paramount in my capping also...

 

[dawgball]

This is why I thought UGA was going to be a disappointment last year (true) and are going to be better than expected this year (we'll see).

We are losing big names, but I think OL experience coupled with ample talent in the backfield is a better combination.

 

[BobbyBlueChip]

This is why I thought UGA was going to be a disappointment last year (true) and are going to be better than expected this year (we'll see).

We are losing big names, but I think OL experience coupled with ample talent in the backfield is a better combination.

I think so, too.

I try and emphasize OLine and Dline analysis in my handicapping. I understand what offensive systems are easier to run for an Oline and Dline.

My major problem with handicapping is unless I see A v. B and B v. C, I have no idea how the lines will be able to handle each other in a game of A v C. Also, by the time A plays C, line injuries come into play and the entire equation is different

Scouts, Inc used to be really accurate with that type of analysis in the pro's and I did great with it, but last year, they stopped with that part of their analysis and I got abused in pro foots.

I'm not sure what the answer is, I just know that line analysis is a huge weakness in my handicapping and I'm trying to fix it. . . . without, y'know . . . . putting too much work into it.

 

[dawgball]

I just know that line analysis is a huge weakness in my handicapping and I'm trying to fix it. . . . without, y'know . . . . putting too much work into it.

I think you should try posting threads about topics and wait for some poor sap to do all the work and post it...

:SIB

 

[BobbyBlueChip]

I think you should try posting threads about topics and wait for some poor sap to do all the work and post it...

:SIB

I'm thinking AR would be perfect

 

[AR182]

I'm thinking AR would be perfect

:mj07: :mj07:

i am behind in my info gathering for the upcoming season....good thing for me that there are about 2 months to go before opening of the season....

imo 2 keys for notre dame this season....the ability to run the ball to balance out their very good passing attack..& how well their defensive line progresses as the season advances because they will start 3 sophomores...but they should have a very good 2ndary.....