Yards Per Play Improvement
Another similarity between the 2024 FSU and 2022 Nebraska defenses was the inability to prevent explosive plays. FSU allowed 5.77 yards per play last year, and Nebraska allowed 5.48 in 2022.
One of the biggest improvements from 2022 Nebraska and 2023 was the decrease in yards per play. Tony White's defense only allowed 4.62 yards per play in his first year, nearly a yard fewer than the previous season.
Again, terrible on a down-to-down basis, especially in the first half of most games last year. It was the accumulation of missed assignments early in the year, the offense doing nothing or turning the ball over, and second halves where the game was over in the third quarter and defensive guys checked out.
I believe the offense will be much improved over last year, and they should bode well in keeping the defense engaged when they still believe they have something to play for.