After week 2, we are third in nation in team rushing. Can't post link but go to teamrankings dot com for an easy chart. : removed link
There is Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon and then everyone else. That’s really the storyline of this conference. Those are the only teams that appear to have stud-level fronts on both sides of the ball. All the other teams are not even close to that level.
@big-red-cb-v-2-0 Pretty sure that's reflected in my tiers.
@big-red-cb-v-2-0 Pretty sure that's reflected in my tiers.
USC has some crazy stats. Maiava is completing 73.8% for 707 yards and 6 TDs, with 0 ints. Averaging 16.6 ypa, and 22.8 ypc!! They are also averaging 8.6 ypc, and 676 total ypg. The question is....just how bad are Missouri St. & Georgia Southern?? If they are just run of the mill bad than USC might contend, because at 66 ppg their #1 in that category and probably in the ypa & ypc categories.
Defensively, stat wise they are very similar to IU or Illinois---16.5 ppg, 300.5 ypg, only giving up 3.3 ypc. 60.3% opponents completion %.
I think the #1 issue for IU is that Mendoza, although very capable, is not in the same category presently as Maiava, Moore from Oregon, Sayin from OSU, and Altmyer:
Altmyer--75%, 9.9 ypa, 13.2 ypc, 6 TDs, 195.9 rating.
Moore--77.3%, 10.9 ypa, 14.1 ypc, 6 TDs, 213.7 rating
Sayin--79.5%, 11.1ypa, 13.9 ypc, 5 TDs (1 int), 209.7
Mendoza--64.3%, 9.25 ypa, 12.2 ypc, 4 TDs, 153.6
His #s are comparable to those of Allar--69.5%, 8.08 ypa, 10.2 ypc, 3 TDs, 145.6
I feel like Mendoza's WRs and scheme are better than those at PSU. Also, our running game is probably better (6.5 ypc for IU, 5.1 for PSU). They need to be because PSU is only giving up 3.1 ypa rushing and 5.5 pts per game. Our pass D is just as good--53.6% for our opponents, 53.7% for PSU. And the #s would indicate our OL is at least as good, The difference is our run D--presently 5.6 ypc.
We don't match up as well stat-wise v. Oregon & OSU. Oregon is averaging 64, giving up 8. They only give up 2.8 ypc rushing, while rushing for 7.4. However, they are letting opponents complete 60% of their passes. OSU is scoring 42 ppg v. 3.5, averaging 4.9 ypc while giving up 3.7. Averaging 427 total ypg v. 251, but remember, they played Texas. Opponents are completing 53.8%.
So............to be competitive v. the likes of OSU & Oregon we need 2 things to happen, imo: Mendoza has to up his game. We've got very good WRs and a great scheme. And 2, we have to shore up the run D. Here's something to think about in that regard: If you take out the 75 and 78 TD runs by the OD QB, we'd be giving up only 2.9 ypc. If those were freak plays.....
Regarding IU v. Illinois........I see that Altmyer has 7 sacks. in 2 games and their backs are averaging 4.2 ypc....so I think IU has the better OL & TBs. Defensively, they're only giving up 2.2 ypc, and 57.4% on pass D.. Overall, they're giving up 19 points per game v. IU's 23. They put a lot of emphasis on getting TOs, They are well-coached defensively.
The DL was not projected to be a big strength, so the ypc # is somewhat surprising. They do have a very good returning LB.
Offensively, they have a WR named Beatty who has stepped up this year (13 recs for 236 yds, 18.2 ypc). Their TBs appear to be pretty average, as does the rest of their receiving corps.
IU v IL shaping up to be an important B10 fball game. Has anyone checked to make sure it's not getting cold in hell?
The stats some of those teams and players are putting up are purely a product of the elementary school opponents they have played. I could look good playing QB for Ohio State against Grambling.
CFB reference ranks IU 6th in the nation according to its SRS metric. USC and Ohio State are ranked much lower due to their soft schedule. Yes, Texas is not ranked high according to the SRS metric so Ohio State doesn’t get a lot of credit for beating them.
@iugradman yeah, I don’t look at analytics when doing this. I’ve watched 90% of the Big Ten games. I’ll look at some stats, it’s not too hard to tell you the elite teams are and who is in the basement
@mushroomgod good analysis but you also have to remember that IU receivers have at least 4 drops, all of which would make Menzoza’s numbers significantly better.
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