BYU's Defense is the Nation's Second Most Improved in Stop Rate

On Wednesday, The Athletic updated the defensive stop rate rankings for the 2023 season. Stop rate is the percentage of a defense’s drives that end in punts, turnovers or a turnover on downs. After four games, BYU's defense ranks 14th nationally in stop rate. The BYU defense has defended 38 drives this season, allowing 8 scores on those drives (21%). That is second only to Oklahoma in the Big 12. The Sooners have allowed scores on just 14% of drives this season.

Only UCLA has made greater strides in stop rate than BYU. Last year, BYU ranked 119th nationally in stop rate. BYU allowed 2.72 points per drives last year. That number has improved to 1.26 points per drive this season. Although we're only four games through the season, BYU's new defensive staff deserves a ton of credit for the rapid turnaround. 

BYU's drastic improvement in stop rate is a key storyline as BYU prepares to kick off against Cincinnati. Excluding FCS opponents, the Bearcats are scoring 1.73 points per drive, that ranks ninth in the Big 12. Excluding FCS opponents, BYU's defense is allowing only 1.37 points per drive. That is third in the Big 12 behind only Oklahoma and Texas.

On paper, the BYU defense has the potential to control the game on Friday night. The Bearcats have moved the ball effectively, but their woes in the redzone have prevented them from consistently scoring.

When the BYU defense bends, they can't break. If they break, the offense will have to consistently score against a defense that is allowing only 21.3 points per game. Cincinnati ranks 54th nationally in stop rate, allowing 2.0 points per drive.

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