Since Kirby arrived, we have been below average overall nationally at forcing turnovers, especially considering we perennially have one of the best defenses in the entire country:
2016- 27 forced turnovers (in 13 games)
2017- 20 (15 games)
2018- 17 (14 games)
2019- 16 (14 games)
2020- 13 (10 games- Covid)
2021- 21 (15 games)
2022- 19 (15 games)
2023- 17 (14 games)
2024- 4 (5 games so far)
Kirby's first year in 2016 was our high water mark by far at 2.1 turnovers forced per game. Since then we've never been above 1.4. It just doesn't make sense to me why this is, considering the absurdly talented personnel we typically trot out there compared to other defenses. Maybe it's something in our coaching or defensive philosophy, I don't know. It just jumped out to me again this past Saturday when Auburn, which had been turning the ball over at a truly heroic rate before playing us (15 turnovers lost in their first 5 games!), of course had zero turnovers playing in Sanford Stadium. Somebody make it make sense for me!
2016- 27 forced turnovers (in 13 games)
2017- 20 (15 games)
2018- 17 (14 games)
2019- 16 (14 games)
2020- 13 (10 games- Covid)
2021- 21 (15 games)
2022- 19 (15 games)
2023- 17 (14 games)
2024- 4 (5 games so far)
Kirby's first year in 2016 was our high water mark by far at 2.1 turnovers forced per game. Since then we've never been above 1.4. It just doesn't make sense to me why this is, considering the absurdly talented personnel we typically trot out there compared to other defenses. Maybe it's something in our coaching or defensive philosophy, I don't know. It just jumped out to me again this past Saturday when Auburn, which had been turning the ball over at a truly heroic rate before playing us (15 turnovers lost in their first 5 games!), of course had zero turnovers playing in Sanford Stadium. Somebody make it make sense for me!