Week 11's Best Defensive Performances

The EP3, or effective points per possession, measure the average number of "effective" points earned each drive during a game. Effective points consider field position as well as actual points. The EP3+ is the team's average performance over the course of the season adjusted for the opposition. The EP3+D is the defensive score while the EP3+O is for the offense. The Perf-O begins with the single-game EP3 and adjusts for the opponent's EP3+D. The Perf-D begins with the opponent's EP3 and adjusts it for the opponent's EP3+O.

USC rebounds from the Oregon offensive clinic and shuts down Arizona State. Rutgers did the same, but to Army. After a rough start TCU held Klein and family in check, a feat few have accomplished . . . but still lost, because Kansas State returned the favor. Like TCU, Virginia Tech, and Arizona State, Alabama also finished in the top 10 and lost. That Alabama was able to turn in one of the nation's ten best defensive performances despite failing to force a turnover and allowing 20 points in the first quarter gives a hint at just how good this Texas A&M offense has become.

Speaking of the Aggies, Kevin Sumlin's team needed not just a #2 performance on offense (see the next post) but also a top 20 performance on defense to win. Fortunately, the undermanned, often underrated Texas A&M defense was able to deliver such a performance.