Bielema Era After-Action Report

[HeathWimp]

I don't have all the data on hand or I would do it myself, but I think it would be interesting if someone compiled a breakdown of Bielema's tenure after the AR-MO-Gedden game (sorry Bazzel, that name is way cooler than "Borderline Rivalary").

Some items would be obvious, like W-L v. different schools, PF/PA, but I would like to see details about penalties, players/games lost due to injuries, etc.  Also maybe a breakdown of some of the key losses, bad play calls, puzzling hiring decisions with assistants, that sort of thing.

There was a lot of frustration when Nutt left, but I think that Bielema has set a new low-water mark for the program.  I think it would be useful to have a good sense of the current "baseline" of the program as we evaluate how the new coach is progressing.

[EastArkHog 47]

The data that stands out to me is 3-9, 7-6, 8-5, 7-6 and 5-7 or 4-8 the other stuff would be interesting though.

[panchodeana]

How about the fact that he's won exactly one meaningful game over the last year? (Miss State last November, and since then only beaten Ole Miss). Since last mid-November, he's lost 9 of his last 10 to Power 5 teams. And this, in his fourth and fifth year at the helm. Hard to believe, isn't it?

[rzrbackramsfan]

The stats don't do justice to how bad we've been under him.  Losses to Rutgers, just slipping past la tech and cc.

[carolinahogger]

Since last mid-November, he's lost 9 of his last 10 to Power 5 teams. And this, in his fourth and fifth year at the helm. Hard to believe, isn't it?

No, it makes sense.  He has his own players now.

[Uncommon]

Don't know what time period you're talking about specifically.  Data suggests the win totals have not aligned with the teams.  For example, here are the S&P comparisons using Football Outsiders for the Petrino era and the Bielema era excluding this season because the season is not finished yet.

Petrino
2008   41     5-7
2009   20     8-5
2010   9       10-3
2011   18     11-2
Average 22   8.5-4.25

Bielema
2013         67    3-9
2014         8      7-6
2015         17     8-5
2016         48     7-6
Currently 95     4-7
Average 35  6.25-6.5

Besides this season, the season where we should've really raised our eyebrows on whether Bielema could get it done here or not was the 2014 season.  Based on S&P ratings since 2005, the 2014 team had the highest S&P rating, even better than the 2006 Razorbacks.  Yet, we just were able to make bowl eligibility.  That team was capable of at least 8-4 or 9-3.  But the lack of ability to close out games or keep a lead (the main themes of the Bielema era) plagued the team. 

[Bebop]

Don't know what time period you're talking about specifically.  Data suggests the win totals have not aligned with the teams.  For example, here are the S&P comparisons using Football Outsiders for the Petrino era and the Bielema era excluding this season because the season is not finished yet.

Petrino
2008   41     5-7
2009   20     8-5
2010   9       10-3
2011   18     11-2
Average 22   8.5-4.25

Bielema
2013         67    3-9
2014         8      7-6
2015         17     8-5
2016         48     7-6
Currently 95     4-7
Average 35  6.25-6.5

Besides this season, the season where we should've really raised our eyebrows on whether Bielema could get it done here or not was the 2014 season.  Based on S&P ratings since 2005, the 2014 team had the highest S&P rating, even better than the 2006 Razorbacks.  Yet, we just were able to make bowl eligibility.  That team was capable of at least 8-4 or 9-3.  But the lack of ability to close out games or keep a lead (the main themes of the Bielema era) plagued the team.

Essentially, Bielema's ceiling here was average. He was/is never going to break through past average. He is a terrible coach.