How Colorado turned its defense around, plus stop rate for all 134 CFB teams

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4 months ago

October 29, 2024

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Max Olson, ESPN Staff WriterOct 29, 2024, 07:00 AM ET
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- Covers the Big 12
- Joined ESPN in 2012
- Graduate of the University of Nebraska

When Deion Sanders needed a new defensive coordinator back in January, he looked to the NFL and leaned on peers he trusts. They pointed him in the direction of a 38-year-old coach who’d never been a DC anywhere but had the potential to be just what Colorado needed.

Ten months later, it’s hard not to be impressed by what Robert Livingston is achieving in Boulder. Under his leadership, the Buffaloes have one of college football’s most improved defenses. Just look at their stop rate.

What is stop rate? It’s a basic measurement of success: the percentage of a defense’s drives that end in punts, turnovers or a turnover on downs. Defensive coordinators have the same goal regardless of their scheme, opponent or conference: prevent points and get off the field. Stop rate is a simple metric but can offer a good reflection of a defense’s effectiveness on a per-drive basis in today’s faster-tempo game.

Last year, national champ Michigan finished No. 1 with a stop rate of 81.6% in its games against FBS opponents. The top 25 teams in the final 2023 stop rate standings won a total of 249 games, with seven earning conference titles. Great teams find a way to get stops in critical situations.

Stop rate is not an advanced stat and is no substitute for Bill Connelly’s SP+ or other more comprehensive metrics. It’s merely a different method for evaluating success on defense.

Team	Games	Stop Rate	Pts/Drive
1. Tennessee	6	81.3%	0.90
2. Texas	8	80.2%	0.90
3. Notre Dame	8	80%	1.04
4. Ohio State	7	79.5%	0.99
5. Army	6	78.9%	1.38
6. Iowa State	6	77.6%	1.26
7. Ole Miss	7	77.1%	1.04
8. James Madison	7	76.2%	1.37
9. Indiana	7	75%	1.47
10. Alabama	8	74.7%	1.33
11. California	7	74.7%	1.51
12. Wisconsin	7	74%	1.53
13. Duke	7	73.6%	1.39
14. Oregon	7	73.6%	1.39
15. Utah	7	73.3%	1.39
16. South Carolina	7	72.7%	1.47
17. Virginia Tech	8	72.4%	1.63
18. UConn	7	72.3%	1.36
19. Colorado	7	72.2%	1.66
20. Sam Houston	8	71.6%	1.71
21. Penn State	7	71.4%	1.32
22. Oklahoma	8	71.3%	1.46
23. Nebraska	7	71.1%	1.75
24. SMU	7	70.1%	1.76
25. Iowa	7	70%	1.56
25. Northern Illinois	7	70%	1.43
27. Clemson	7	69.8%	1.83
28. Missouri	7	68.8%	1.81
29. Houston	8	68.5%	1.85
30. Miami (Ohio)	8	68.2%	1.71
30. Georgia	6	68.2%	1.64
32. Pittsburgh	6	68.1%	1.81
33. Texas A&M	7	67.9%	1.69
34. Memphis	7	67.9%	1.90
35. Kansas State	7	67.5%	1.94
35. Fresno State	7	67.5%	1.70
37. Northwestern	7	67.4%	1.81
38. Liberty	5	67.2%	1.79
39. Western Kentucky	6	67.2%	2.14
40. Navy	6	67.1%	1.95
41. Old Dominion	8	67%	1.81
42. Toledo	7	66.7%	1.71
43. USC	8	66.3%	1.85
44. Florida International	7	66.3%	1.91
45. Minnesota	7	66.2%	1.72
46. Louisiana Tech	6	66.2%	1.74
46. Texas State	6	66.2%	1.79
48. Michigan	8	65.9%	1.89
48. San Jose State	7	65.9%	1.98
50. Kentucky	8	65.8%	1.77
51. Rice	7	65.4%	1.95
52. BYU	7	65.4%	1.73
53. Auburn	7	65.3%	1.84
54. UNLV	7	65.1%	2.06
55. Miami	7	64.9%	1.96
55. Washington	7	64.9%	1.82
57. Arkansas	7	64.6%	1.96
58. Colorado State	7	64.6%	2.12
59. Boise State	6	64.3%	2.13
60. Rutgers	7	63.6%	2.33
61. Florida	6	63.2%	2.19
61. San Diego State	6	63.2%	2.13
63. South Alabama	7	63%	2.07
64. Tulane	7	62.7%	1.94
65. LSU	7	62.5%	1.94
66. Maryland	7	62.4%	2.07
67. Georgia Tech	8	62.3%	2.04
68. UL Monroe	6	62.3%	1.97
69. Ohio	7	61.5%	2.08
70. Cincinnati	7	61.4%	1.95
71. Arizona State	7	61.3%	1.98
72. Michigan State	7	61.1%	2.21
73. Illinois	7	60.9%	2.16
74. UTSA	7	60.8%	2.25
75. East Carolina	7	60.2%	2.31
76. UTEP	7	59.8%	2.32
77. Washington State	7	59.8%	2.18
78. Baylor	7	59.3%	2.25
79. Louisville	7	59.2%	2.35
79. Bowling Green	7	59.2%	1.94
81. Temple	8	59.2%	2.58
82. Louisiana	6	58.9%	2.34
83. Jacksonville State	7	58.8%	2.22
84. Georgia Southern	7	58.6%	2.48
84. Oklahoma State	7	58.6%	2.46
86. North Carolina	7	58.3%	2.27
87. Eastern Michigan	7	58%	2.45
88. Marshall	6	58%	2.32
89. South Florida	6	57.9%	2.50
90. Tulsa	7	57.8%	2.57
91. Boston College	7	57.7%	2.17
92. Buffalo	7	57.6%	2.40
93. Kansas	7	57.5%	2.31
94. Arizona	7	57.5%	2.38
95. Kennesaw State	6	56.9%	2.61
96. TCU	7	56.6%	2.36
97. Texas Tech	7	56.5%	2.47
97. West Virginia	7	56.5%	2.69
99. Vanderbilt	7	56.3%	2.40
100. Air Force	6	56.1%	2.56
101. Virginia	7	55.1%	2.39
102. Florida Atlantic	6	55.1%	2.43
103. Arkansas State	7	54.5%	2.68
104. Wyoming	7	54.4%	2.38
105. Syracuse	6	54.2%	2.30
105. Hawai’i	6	54.2%	2.53
107. Florida State	8	54.2%	2.29
108. UCF	7	53.8%	2.46
109. Charlotte	7	53.8%	2.68
110. Georgia State	6	53.1%	2.74
111. Coastal Carolina	6	52.8%	2.64
112. Akron	7	52.6%	3.01
113. NC State	7	52.5%	2.49
114. Western Michigan	7	51.9%	2.90
115. Troy	7	51.4%	2.56
116. UMass	6	50.8%	2.76
117. Wake Forest	7	50.6%	2.75
118. North Texas	7	50.6%	2.84
119. Stanford	7	50%	2.83
120. Nevada	8	49.4%	2.71
121. New Mexico State	6	48.1%	2.90
121. Middle Tennessee	7	48.1%	3.25
123. UCLA	7	47%	2.86
124. Southern Miss	7	46.8%	3.01
125. Oregon State	7	46.4%	2.80
126. Central Michigan	7	46.3%	2.77
127. App State	6	42.4%	3.22
128. Purdue	6	41.8%	3.49
129. New Mexico	7	41%	3.41
130. Ball State	7	40.8%	3.54
131. Utah State	7	39.8%	3.38
132. UAB	6	39.4%	3.45
133. Mississippi State	7	35.6%	3.55
134. Kent State	7	35.3%	3.83

The numbers weren’t pretty for the Buffaloes in Year 1 of the Coach Prime era. They allowed 40 or more points in five games, gave up 6.3 yards per play (115th in the FBS) and finished with a stop rate of 57.8% against FBS opponents, which ranked 97th nationally.

This year, it’s a different story. The 6-2 Buffs rank 19th in this week’s updated stop rate standings at 72.7% and look as if they’ll be contenders in the Big 12 title race thanks to a defense that has made real progress in so many ways.

The most obvious area of improvement: Colorado has played pretty darn good defense in the second half of games. This unit is giving up a mere 6.5 points per game after halftime this season, eighth fewest in the FBS, with more takeaways (11) than touchdowns allowed (seven). Livingston has them performing much better on third downs (conversions are down from 47% to 34%) and has injected confidence into a defense that took a lot of heat last year.

“It’s a testament to the guys,” Livingston said earlier this month. “They’ve bought in, they play hard, they play fast. Is it perfect? No, it’s not always perfect. But they give their all, and as long as we get that, I think we’ll like the results.”

When Charles Kelly left at the end of December to become the co-DC at Auburn and Sanders went through the search process, Livingston came well-recommended from several NFL coaches, including Dallas Cowboys DC Mike Zimmer, and brought valuable experience from his stint as defensive backs coach under one of the NFL’s best in Lou Anarumo with the Cincinnati Bengals. Colorado reloaded with 21 new scholarship transfers on defense, and 10 of them have earned starts this season. Their new leader has thrived by building around their strengths.

“The way he coaches, the scheme that he sets up for us, it’s a scheme that all of us love playing,” Colorado safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig said earlier this season. “It plays to all of our strengths. I’ve said it before, but when he came in, he came in with no playbook. He said, ‘What do y’all do well? We’re gonna work around that.’ I give coach Rob Livingston all the credit. The players, we go out and execute and play our heart out for him every day.”

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders and receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter gives the Buffaloes a chance to compete with anybody in the Big 12. But if this defense can keep finding a way to get stops, Colorado will be a contender in November.

A few more stop rate updates to note following Week 9:

Tennessee moved into the No. 1 spot in the stop rate standings ahead of Texas and Ohio State after the latter two had close wins Saturday. The Vols are coming off their bye week and have a stop rate of 81.3% on the year. They’re the only defense in FBS that has held every opponent under 20 points. Last season, Tennessee finished No. 28 in stop rate at 68.6%.
Alabama bounced back with a dominant day against Missouri and moved back into the top 10 in stop rate. The Tide forced seven punts and intercepted backup QB Drew Pyne three times in the 34-0 rout.
Undefeated Indiana is still in the top 10 in stop rate after another strong showing in its 31-17 win over Washington. The Hoosiers got eight stops on third downs and two on fourth downs and still haven’t trailed in a game this season. Oregon is closing in on the top 10 as well following its 38-9 rout of No. 20 Illinois.
Virginia Tech, UConn, Sam Houston and Iowa moved into the top 25 in this week’s standings with Navy, Missouri and Liberty dropping out. Navy’s defense gave up scores on 7 of 11 drives in its 51-14 loss to Notre Dame and slid from 15th to 40th.

Note: All data is courtesy of TruMedia. Games against FCS opponents and end-of-half drives in which the opponent took a knee or ran out the clock were filtered out.

Sports

Who aced the NHL trade deadline? Eight winners and seven losers

Published

2 hours ago

March 9, 2025

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Who aced the NHL trade deadline? Eight winners and seven losers

Multiple Contributors

Mar 7, 2025, 08:20 PM ET

The days leading up to the 2025 NHL trade deadline were a furious final sprint as contenders looked to stock up for a postseason run while rebuilding clubs added prospects and draft capital.

After the overnight Brock Nelson blockbuster Thursday, Friday lived up to expectations, with Mikko Rantanen, Brad Marchand and other high-profile players finishing the day on different teams than they started with. All told, NHL teams made 24 trades on deadline day involving 47 players.

Which teams and players won the day? Who might not feel as well about the situation after trade season? Reporters Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski identify the biggest winners and losers of the 2025 NHL trade deadline:

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NHL playoff watch: Is Jets-Hurricanes a Stanley Cup Final preview?

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2 hours ago

March 9, 2025

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NHL playoff watch: Is Jets-Hurricanes a Stanley Cup Final preview?

There are some who saw what the Carolina Hurricanes did at the trade deadline — or perhaps failed to do after they traded Mikko Rantanen — and believe they’re cooked when it comes to the Stanley Cup playoffs. However, based on the projections from Stathletes, the Canes remain the team with the highest chances of winning the Cup, at 16.7%.

Standing before them on Sunday are the Winnipeg Jets (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+). The Jets had a relatively quiet deadline, adding Luke Schenn and Brandon Tanev, though sometimes these additions are the types of small tweaks that can push a contender over the edge. As it stands, the Jets enter their showdown against the Canes with the sixth-highest Cup chances, at 8.7%.

Carolina has made two trips to the Cup Final: a loss to the Detroit Red Wings in 2002 and a win over the Edmonton Oilers in 2006. The Canes have reached the conference finals three times since (2009, 2019, 2023). Winnipeg has yet to make the Cup Final, and was defeated 4-1 in the 2018 Western Conference finals by the Vegas Golden Knights in the club’s lone trip to the penultimate stage.

Both clubs are due. Will this be their year?

There is a lot of runway left until the final day of the season on April 17, and we’ll help you keep track of it all here on the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we’ll provide detail on all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Saturday’s schedule
Friday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Columbus Blue Jackets
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 C algary Flames
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

Sunday’s games

Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).

New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers, 1 p.m. (TNT)
Seattle Kraken at Washington Capitals, 3:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Minnesota Wild, 3:30 p.m. (TNT)
Winnipeg Jets at Carolina Hurricanes, 5 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Rangers, 6 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Vegas Golden Knights, 8 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks, 9 p.m.
New York Islanders at Anaheim Ducks, 9 p.m.

Saturday’s scoreboard

Ottawa Senators 4, New York Rangers 3 (OT)
Seattle Kraken 4, Philadelphia Flyers 1
Boston Bruins 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 0
Florida Panthers 4, Buffalo Sabres 0
Colorado Avalanche 7, Toronto Maple Leafs 4
Calgary Flames 1, Montreal Canadiens 0
Nashville Predators 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT)
Los Angeles Kings 2, St. Louis Blues 1 (OT)
Edmonton Oilers 5, Dallas Stars 4
New York Islanders 4, San Jose Sharks 2

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 106.3
Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: @ UTA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: @ CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 20
Points pace: 91.3
Next game: vs. DET (Monday)
Playoff chances: 85.4%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: @ OTT (Monday)
Playoff chances: 8.3%
Tragic number: 37

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: @ VAN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 19.8%
Tragic number: 37

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 83.3
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 2.5%
Tragic number: 33

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 71.4
Next game: vs. EDM (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 27

Metro Division

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 117.1
Next game: vs. SEA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: vs. WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 92.3
Next game: @ PHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 86.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 20
Points pace: 89.9
Next game: @ NYR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 27.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 88.5
Next game: vs. CBJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 31.1%
Tragic number: 39

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 86.0
Next game: @ LA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 29.7%
Tragic number: 38

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 79.4
Next game: vs. NJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 9.5%
Tragic number: 31

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 73.1
Next game: @ MIN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 25

Central Division

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 117.9
Next game: @ CAR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 109.3
Next game: @ VAN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 99.9
Next game: vs. CHI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 98.9
Next game: vs. PIT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 94.4%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 87.1
Next game: @ PIT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 37.2%
Tragic number: 34

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: vs. TOR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 26.4%
Tragic number: 35

Points: 55
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 71.6
Next game: @ SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 24

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 62.8
Next game: @ COL (Monday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 16

Pacific Division

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 20
Points pace: 108.5
Next game: vs. LA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: @ BUF (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 21
Points pace: 98.1
Next game: @ VGK (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 84.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 91.1
Next game: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 27.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 91.3
Next game: vs. DAL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 30.9%
Tragic number: 40

Points: 61
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 80.7
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 32

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 74.3
Next game: @ WSH (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 25

Points: 43
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 54.3
Next game: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 8

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer is Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters.

Points: 43
Regulation wins: 12

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 55
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 16

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 61
Regulation wins: 19

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23

Sports

Stars ‘optimistic’ after injured Hintz exits loss

Published

2 hours ago

March 9, 2025

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Stars 'optimistic' after injured Hintz exits loss

ESPN News Services

Mar 9, 2025, 12:18 AM ET

EDMONTON, Alberta — Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz was hit by a puck shot by Edmonton Oilers center Adam Henrique and left the ice with a towel pressed against his bloody face Saturday night.

Hintz extended his stick toward Henrique, whose wrist shot sent the puck under Hintz’s visor during his club’s 5-4 loss to the Oilers. He was on the ice, with his face in a towel, as the team’s medical staff assessed him and helped him skate toward the dressing room.

After the loss, Dallas coach Peter DeBoer said Hintz was at a local hospital, receiving tests. The coach added that the initial report was fairly optimistic for Hintz, 28, who has 25 goals and 52 points.

“Everyone’s optimistic that it’s not ‘serious, serious,'” DeBoer said. “But we won’t know until we get testing.”

The short-handed Stars rallied from a 5-1 deficit before eventually losing. Trade deadline acquisition Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist in his debut for Dallas, which had its four-game winning streak stopped. Wyatt Johnston, Jamie Benn and Matt Dumba also scored for the Stars.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.