Todd Grantham Review - Comparing 2010 to 2011

There is no doubt that Todd Grantham's defense was one of the big reasons Georgia was able to go from 6-7 to SEC East Champion with a 10-4 record.

When you hire a new defensive coordinator, you understand understanding and attrition will effect how a defense performs in year 1. That is why in year 2 a defense sees a dramatic improvement. For Todd Grantham's 3-4, you could see it every game that players understood more and they played faster. 

Statistically, Grantham's unit was on of the top in the nation. Although we still have a few bowl games left, Grantham's unit will finish the year with a top 10 national ranking in total defense and passing defense, a top 15 ranking in rushing defense, and a top 25 ranking in scoring defense. Pretty incredible for a group who - last year - looked pretty lost at times. 

Let's take a look at the 2010 vs. 2011 Georgia Defensive Stats:

2010 vs. 2011 Georgia Defensive Stats

In case you don't want to look through the PDF, here are some of the highlights of improvement:

• First Downs - 2010: 17.77/game - 2011: 13.79/game (Almost 4 less first downs per game!)
• 3rd Down Conversion - 2010: 42% - 2011: 29% (AN INCREDIBLE TURN AROUND!)
• Net Rush Yards: 2010: 147.23/game - 2011: 101.36/game (Almost a 50 yard swing per game)
• Yards Per Attempt: 2010: 7.44 - 2011: 5.73 (Giving up less big plays than last year)

Those are the major highlights.

The main point is this: In every single facet of the defensive side of the ball, Georgia improved - and, sometimes, dramatically. 

If Mark Richt and Todd Grantham can keep a big majority of the players on the defensive side of the ball in Athens for another year, Georgia could really have a great opportunity to make a run with a very, very good defense.