By the numbers: Comparing Florida State's 2018 and 2019 statistics

Curt Weiler | Tallahassee Democrat

Show Caption Hide Caption Watch it: Garnet and Golden moments from FSU's loss at UF The Seminoles lost their second straight game to UF and their first game in the Swamp since 2009.

How much difference did a year make for the Florida State football program?

The Seminoles (6-6, 4-4 in ACC) finished their 2019 regular-season schedule in largely the same place they did their 2018 schedule.

The difference is one significant win that allows FSU to play in a bowl game this year and the ongoing coaching search that will have FSU led by its third head coach in four seasons in 2020.

How much improved were the Seminoles in 2019? The answer varies depending on where you look.

The schedule was a bit easier -- FSU's 2019 opponents have a combined record of 88-55 (.615) after the Seminoles' 2018 opponents were a combined 99-56 (.639) -- but a few improvements can definitely be seen.

How do FSU's statistics through 12 games this season stack up with its 2018 numbers?

2019 Offense (Rank out of 130 FBS teams)

Points per game vs. FBS opponents: 27.3 (67)

Yards per play vs. FBS opponents: 5.67 (71)

Yards per rush vs. FBS opponents: 3.61 (103)

Yards per pass attempt vs. FBS opponents: 7.8 (47)

First downs per game vs. FBS opponents: 20.8 (65)

Third down conversion percentage vs. FBS opponents: 36.97% (89)

Redzone conversion percentage vs. FBS opponents: 84.85% (54)

Redzone touchdown percentage vs. FBS opponents: 66.67% (36)

Sacks allowed per game vs. FBS opponents: 3.91 (125)

Plays gaining 10-plus yards vs. FBS opponents: 165 (48)

Time of possession vs. FBS opponents: 26:27 (123)

2018 Offense

Points per game vs. FBS opponents: 20.6 (112)

Yards per play vs. FBS opponents: 5.07 (107)

Yards per rush vs. FBS opponents: 2.69 (128)

Yards per pass attempt vs. FBS opponents: 7.1 (76)

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First downs per game vs. FBS opponents: 16.5 (120)

Third down conversion percentage vs. FBS opponents: 29.14% (128)

Redzone conversion percentage vs. FBS opponents: 75.86% (118)

Redzone touchdown percentage vs. FBS opponents: 55.17% (105)

Sacks allowed per game vs. FBS opponents: 3.18 (117)

Plays gaining 10-plus yards vs. FBS opponents: 142 (105)

Time of possession vs. FBS opponents: 27:13 (119)

Analysis: Yes, the schedule was a smidge easier but this comparison shows the strides Kendal Briles has made as FSU offensive coordinator. It's also a sobering reminder of how bad the Seminoles' 2018 offense was.

Of the 11 statistics measured above, FSU improved in nine of them from 2018 to 2019. Time of possession was one of the only two in which the Seminoles didn't improve, evidence of how unimportant a stat that truly is.

FSU moved up 25-plus spots nationally in all nine stats it improved in and moved up 50-plus spots in four of the nine statistics.

While FSU running back Cam Akers fell off somewhat down the stretch with just one 100-yard rushing performance in FSU's final four games, he's still a factor nationally. Akers' 18 touchdowns from scrimmage are tied for the ninth-most in the country. His 1,144 rushing yards and 25th-most in the country and fourth-most in the ACC.

Tamorrion Terry's 1,023 receiving yards this season are tied for 22nd-most in the nation and second-most in the ACC. He's FSU's first 1,000-yard receiver since Rashad Greene in 2014.

2019 Defense

Points per game allowed vs. FBS opponents: 30.0 (74)

Yards per play allowed vs. FBS opponents: 5.46 (47)

Yards per rush allowed vs. FBS opponents: 3.79 (35)

Yards per pass attempt allowed vs. FBS opponents: 7.3 (53)

First downs per game allowed vs. FBS opponents: 25.0 (128)

Third down conversion percentage allowed vs. FBS opponents: 42.02% (87)

Redzone conversion percentage allowed vs. FBS opponents: 85.96% (89)

Redzone touchdown percentage allowed vs. FBS opponents: 52.63% (26)

Sacks per game vs. FBS opponents: 2.46 (39)

Plays gaining 10-plus yards allowed vs. FBS opponents: 171 (95)

2018 Defense

Points per game allowed vs. FBS opponents: 32.0 (89)

Yards per play allowed vs. FBS opponents: 5.11 (31)

Yards per rush allowed vs. FBS opponents: 3.52 (21)

Yards per pass attempt allowed vs. FBS opponents: 7.0 (47)

First downs per game allowed vs. FBS opponents: 21.7 (74)

Third down conversion percentage allowed vs. FBS opponents: 37.43% (46)

Redzone conversion percentage allowed vs. FBS opponents: 81.52% (50)

Redzone touchdown percentage allowed vs. FBS opponents: 58.18% (50)

Sacks per game vs. FBS opponents: 2.55 (38)

Plays gaining 10-plus yards allowed vs. FBS opponents: 155 (57)

Analysis: In many categories, the FSU defense was worse this season than it was in 2018.

The Seminoles allowed more yards per carry and pass attempt in 2019 than it did in Harlon Barnett's first season as defensive coordinator. They had less sacks per game -- no surprise given the departure of Brian Burns and a number of injuries this season -- and allowed over three more first downs per game than they did in 2019.

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But still, somehow, they didn't set a program record for most points allowed per game for the second consecutive season. FSU has allowed 28.5 points per game this season after surrendering 31.5 points per game in 2018.

Maybe the only explanation for this is FSU's improved red-zone defense. On a defense that was largely worse and still below average nationally this season, FSU was just outside the Top 25 in red zone touchdown percentage allowed.

In spite of this, many of the same problems that plagued FSU's defense in 2018 remained evident in 2019, leading to a defense that has struggled to achieve success in each of the last two seasons.

2019 Special Teams

Field goal percentage: 53.8% (125)

Yards per punt: 39.51 (106)

Yards per punt return vs. FBS opponents: 7.57 (69)

Yards per kickoff return vs. FBS opponents: 24.94 (14)

2018 Special Teams

Field goal percentage: 64.7% (103)

Yards per punt: 42.71 (35)

Yards per punt return vs. FBS opponents: 12.15 (23)

Yards per kickoff return vs. FBS opponents: 18.81 (94)

Analysis: While FSU improved at least somewhat in some special teams areas in 2019, it isn't well-represented in these stats.

Ricky Aguayo's accuracy as a kicker fell for the second consecutive season as his senior season will finish as the least accurate of his FSU career. The suspension and subsequent departure of senior punter Logan Tyler hurt the Seminoles as walk-on Tommy Martin was unable to replicate his results.

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D.J. Matthews also took a major step back in the punt return game, allowing too many punts to hit the ground and making some questionable decisions after showing promise in 2018.

The one bright spot above is the Seminoles' kick return improvement. Keyshawn Helton and Isaiah Bolden each brought promise to an FSU kick return unit that was dreadful in 2018. Both averaged 26-plus yards per return, putting them both in the Top 20 nationally if they were eligible.

2019 Miscellaneous

Turnover margin vs. FBS opponents: 1 (57)

Penalties per game: 9.3 (130)

2018 Miscellaneous

Turnover margin vs. FBS opponents: -15 (127)

Penalties per game: 9.2 (130)

Analysis: FSU improved dramatically in one of these areas and somehow found a way to get worse in the other.

With 13 penalties in the loss at Florida, the Seminoles finish the regular season as the most penalized team in the country. FSU has committed double-digit penalties in four of the last five and seven of its 12 games this season.

It's the third straight season a Willie Taggart coached team has led the country in penalties per game.

In turnover margin, FSU didn't have nearly the bad fumble luck it did in 2018 when its turnover margin was among the worst in the country.

The Seminoles didn't commit a turnover in three of their final five regular-season games. The problem is they forced more than one just once in their final six games.

You can reach Curt Weiler at cweiler@tallahassee.com.