Total team talent with YARDS PER PLAY on defense given up in 2020. Also LSU only has 68 scholarship players vs the 80+ every other team on this list has. LSU ranks as the #4 most talented team on a per player basis and #6 overall. Zach Arnette is the defensive coordinator of mississippi state that LSU is interviewing today. He is producing an absolutely phenomenal defense based on player talent, remember that mississippi plays air raid offense and probably had more 3 and outs than 1st downs forcing their defense to be in the field all game. I would be very happy with this hire.

#1 Georgia YPP - 4.9
#2 Alabama YPP - 5.0
#4 Clemson YPP - 5.0
#11 aTm YPP - 5.4
#23 Miss St YPP - 5.5 (6.3 in 2019)
#3 Ohio St YPP - 5.9
#7 Florida YPP - 6.1
#29 Ole Miss YPP - 6.7
#6 LSU YPP - 7.1

Added info from comments:
Zack Arnette with San Diego St

The Aztecs finished second in rushing defense (75.4 yards per game), third in scoring defense (12.7 points per game), fourth in interceptions (18), fourth in first downs allowed (198), sixth in total defense (287.8), sixth in passing efficiency defense (110.25) and eighth in takeaways (27).

In Arnett’s first season at the helm of the defense in 2018, the Aztecs ranked seventh nationally against the run (103.8 yards per game), 13th in first downs allowed (216) and 21st in total defense (334.6 yards per game).

Since the start of the 2018 season, Arnett’s defensive unit has ranked inside the top 15 nationally in:

Rushing yards allowed per game (1st – 89.6)
Rushing yards allowed per carry (1st – 2.9)
Fewest 30-point games allowed (T1st – 2)
Fewest 40-point games allowed (T1st – 0 … one of just six teams)
Percentage of big plays allowed (2nd – 9.2) with only 153 of 1,658 opponent plays gaining either a 12-plus yard run or 15-plus yard pass
Percentage of drives that they kept their opponent from crossing the 50-yard line (4th – 61.3)
Percentage drives that their opponent covered less than 25 yards (4th – 60.1)
Percentage drives holding their opponent scoreless (6th – 76.3)
Points per play allowed (10th – 0.3) and points per possession allowed (10th – 1.3)

This post was edited on 1/12/21 at 1:30 pm

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Posted by CatfishJohn

Member since Jun 2020

14157 posts

Posted on 1/12/21 at 12:27 pm to Hurricane2020

(from another thread I posted in)

First of all, in 2019, in a real, non-asterisk year, he led San Diego State to the #2 scoring defense in the country.

Then let's talk about his Mississippi State improvement:

In 2019, Mississippi State had the 12th ranked scoring defense in the SEC for SEC games only (so I can compare apples to apples with 2020). In 2020, they had the 6th.

This is with the worst offense in the conference leaving them out to dry constantly, a head coach that doesn't care about defense, and a serious talent depletion from the prior year.

Other conference ranks for them from 2019 > 2020:

Scoring Defense: 12th > 6th
Total Defense: 11th > 4th
Opp 3rd Down %: 10th > 5th
Opp Red Zone %: 10th > 5th
TFL: 11th > 7th

There is a reason they gave him a raise and extension and a reason other schools want him. He's a very good coach.

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Posted by burasjr123

amite,la.

Member since Nov 2009

308 posts

Posted on 1/12/21 at 12:32 pm to CatfishJohn

his mentor was rocky long and played under him

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Posted by Hurricane2020

Member since Apr 2020

2514 posts

Posted on 1/12/21 at 12:33 pm to CatfishJohn

Those are some good numbers.

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Posted by Mickey Goldmill

Baton Rouge

Member since Mar 2010

23231 posts

Posted on 1/12/21 at 12:34 pm to CatfishJohn

Saw these stats that cover his 2 seasons at San Diego State.

quote:
The Aztecs finished second in rushing defense (75.4 yards per game), third in scoring defense (12.7 points per game), fourth in interceptions (18), fourth in first downs allowed (198), sixth in total defense (287.8), sixth in passing efficiency defense (110.25) and eighth in takeaways (27).

In Arnett’s first season at the helm of the defense in 2018, the Aztecs ranked seventh nationally against the run (103.8 yards per game), 13th in first downs allowed (216) and 21st in total defense (334.6 yards per game).

Since the start of the 2018 season, Arnett’s defensive unit has ranked inside the top 15 nationally in:

Rushing yards allowed per game (1st – 89.6)
Rushing yards allowed per carry (1st – 2.9)
Fewest 30-point games allowed (T1st – 2)
Fewest 40-point games allowed (T1st – 0 … one of just six teams)
Percentage of big plays allowed (2nd – 9.2) with only 153 of 1,658 opponent plays gaining either a 12-plus yard run or 15-plus yard pass
Percentage of drives that they kept their opponent from crossing the 50-yard line (4th – 61.3)
Percentage drives that their opponent covered less than 25 yards (4th – 60.1)
Percentage drives holding their opponent scoreless (6th – 76.3)
Points per play allowed (10th – 0.3) and points per possession allowed (10th – 1.3)
Yards allowed per play (14th – 4.9)

This post was edited on 1/12/21 at 12:46 pm

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Posted by geauxtigahs87

Louisiana

Member since Dec 2008

26271 posts

Posted on 1/12/21 at 12:35 pm to Hurricane2020

I hope we offer him the job today.

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Posted by Hurricane2020

Member since Apr 2020

2514 posts

Posted on 1/12/21 at 12:39 pm to geauxtigahs87

Based on all the candidates this year Arnette looks like the #1.5 guy, with a resume as good as Marcus Freeman. No offense but I think Marcus Freeman being black was another positive on top of his absolutely impressive resume. Having more people to relate to these young men/kids can never hurt.

This post was edited on 1/12/21 at 12:43 pm

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Posted by Hurricane2020

Member since Apr 2020

2514 posts

Posted on 1/12/21 at 12:40 pm to Mickey Goldmill

I'm gonna add this to the original post. If you don't want me to just reply and say no.

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Posted by TaddT189

Member since Oct 2017