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QB Troy Smith (2006 Heisman Trophy Winner)

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DBB's Daily Stat Break

This will be the last in this series of Daily Stat Breaks. The next 7 installments of this feature will run on consecutive days in the week leading up to the first game.

Today's installment looks at passing the same way that I analyzed games last year: How much better did you do than everyone else on your opponents' schedules?

To answer this question for quarterbacks, I did not just average the defensive passing efficiencies for each quarterback's opponents. Rather, I took all of the passing defense numbers for each quarterback's opponents and added them together. So for Troy Smith, for instance, I added up the Attempts, Completions, Yards, Touchdowns and Interceptions that all of OSU's opponents gave up on passing defense last year (except for Miami University, against whom Troy did not play) and then calculated the passing efficiency based on those aggregate numbers.

The following table ranks the Top 13 QB's in the country based on how much better their passing efficiency was than the aggregate passing efficiency of the opponents they faced. The reason I chose the top-13 QB's is that I simply don't have the patience to do this calculation for the slugs who couldn't even manage 150 points in passing efficiency (you can afford to be judgemental when you're a shill for Troy Smith).

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 179pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=236 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 74pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3584" width=98><COL style="WIDTH: 35pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1682" span=3 width=46><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 26.25pt" height=35><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 74pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 26.25pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=98 height=35>Player</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 35pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=46>Eff.</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 35pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=46>Opp.
Eff.

</TD><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 35pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=46>Diff.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl29 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Vince Young</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="163.94584615384616">163.95</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="122.76491228070175">122.76</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ebe9ed; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="41.180933873144411">41.18</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Brian Brohm</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="165.42589928057555">165.43</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="125.35193495934959">125.35</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="40.073964321225958">40.07</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Troy Smith</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="162.65316455696203">162.65</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="123.62153209109732">123.62</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="39.031632465864703">39.03</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Rudy Carpenter</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="175.01403508771929">175.01</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="139.07904018502458">139.08</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="35.934994902694712">35.93</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Drew Olson</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="161.59576719576719">161.60</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="130.84414715719063">130.84</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="30.751620038576561">30.75</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Matt Leinart</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="157.74013921113689">157.74</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="127.46479846449138">127.46</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="30.275340746645512">30.28</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Brady Quinn</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="158.39911111111113">158.40</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="128.3985812458435">128.40</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="30.000529865267623">30.00</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Phil Horvath</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="153.38099547511311">153.38</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="126.70357615894041">126.70</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="26.677419316172703">26.68</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Colt Brennan</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="155.49203883495144">155.49</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="129.87728093041909">129.88</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="25.614757904532354">25.61</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Drew Stanton</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="153.40903954802261">153.41</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="128.23270289681591">128.23</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="25.176336651206697">25.18</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Brian Johnson</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="151.00848484848487">151.01</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="128.99666760802035">129.00</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="22.011817240464524">22.01</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17>Omar Jacobs</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="150.89096573208724">150.89</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="130.0064116985377">130.01</TD><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="20.884554033549534">20.88</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.5pt" height=18><TD class=xl31 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 13.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=18>John Stocco</TD><TD class=xl32 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="150.48170731707316">150.48</TD><TD class=xl32 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="130.82984206151286">130.83</TD><TD class=xl32 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right x:num="19.651865255560296">19.65</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

As I've said before, this type of analysis actually compares you to the other teams your opponents played; so the strength of your opponents schedules has an impact on this analysis. Playing in a conference with few other top-notch quarterbacks can make you look very good in this analysis (Big 12, Conference USA); whereas playing in a conference replete with NFL or near-NFL talent at QB can hurt you by this metric (Pac-10). On the whole though, this is a fairer analysis than raw QB efficiency rating, and gives you a better idea of how well each QB played compared to the other QBs in his conference.

Other things to note:
  • After the top 3, it drops off very sharply
  • Vince Young faced the best slate of passing defenses of the QBs on the list. But then Big-12 passing offenses weren't exactly setting the world on fire. Even Cody Hodges of Texas Tech did not make this list.
  • Troy Smith faced the 2nd best slate of passing defenses on the list. This is in spite of playing in a conference where the defenses are tested by Drew Stanton and John Stocco (both made the list) as well as Drew Tate and Bryan Cupito (20th and 21st in efficiency).
  • Troy Smith Ranks #2 among returning QBs by this metric; and Troy Smith is NOT a Conference USA "system quarterback".
  • By this metric, Troy Smith is 30% better than Brady Quinn
All Hail the Glory of Troy Smith.
 
Upvote 0
DaddyBigBucks said:
EDIT: Before some killjoy reminds everyone that the final 6 games factors out the Penn State and Texas games, I would like to remind you that this also factors out Troy's 272.11 point masterpiece against MSU. That was his highest rated game of the year. Going by only the last 7 games would not have even been fair.
Click to expand...

Even so, you could just tell said killjoy that Smith didn't play the whole Texas game (along with it being his first game in over nine months) and that the Penn State game was played in a rainstorm on the road. Not exactly "normal" conditions.
 
Upvote 0
Deety's Daily Stat Break

It was previously shown that the average QB improves only a modest amount from one year to the next.So how much did Troy Smith improve from 2004 to 2005? Troy went from a rating of 134.15 (pretty good) to 162.65 (outstanding) for an increase of 28.5 points.



Since 1999, of the quarterbacks with a rating of 133 or better, only 5 showed more improvement than Troy in their next year.

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 294pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=391 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 26pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1280" width=35><COL style="WIDTH: 71pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3437" width=94><COL style="WIDTH: 92pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4461" width=122><COL style="WIDTH: 36pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1755" width=48><COL style="WIDTH: 69pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3364" width=92><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.5pt" height=18><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 13.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=18>Year</TD><TD class=xl23 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=94>Player</TD><TD class=xl23 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 92pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=122>School</TD><TD class=xl23 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48>Rating</TD><TD class=xl23 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92>Improvement</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.5pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 13.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=18 x:num>2004</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=94>Stefan Lefors</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 92pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=122>Louisville</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>181.7</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>36.2</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.5pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 13.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=18 x:num>2000</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=94>Bart Hendricks</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 92pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=122>Boise St.</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>170.6</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>33.8</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.5pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 13.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=18 x:num>2001</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=94>David Carr</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 92pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=122>Fresno St.</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>166.7</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>31.3</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.5pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 13.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=18 x:num>2001</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=94>Byron Leftwich</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 92pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=122>Marshall</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>164.6</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>30.6</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.5pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 13.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=18 x:num>2003</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=94>Philip Rivers</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 92pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=122>North Carolina St.</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>170.5</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>29.4</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.5pt" height=18><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 13.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=18 x:num>2005</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=94>Troy Smith</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 92pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=122>Ohio St.</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>162.7</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>28.5</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
3 high draft picks and 2 mid-major "system quarterbacks" in 6 seasons. Since Troy is not a mid-major "system quarterback", where does he fit on the list? Hmmmm...

Only one of the players in that list (other than Troy) accomplished the feat with a year of eligibility remaining.

Tomorrow I will focus on that player, and others, who showed a similar level of improvement with a year to go.


​
All Hail the Glory of Troy Smith.
 
Upvote 0
Deety's Daily Stat Break

Today I will focus on Junior Quarterbacks of the last 6 years that played well as sophomores. Which of the QBs who met this description improved the most?

To answer the question, let's first examine the criteria:
  • QBs since the year 2000
  • ...who had a passing efficiency greater than 130 the previous year
  • ...have a year of eligibility remaining
  • ...ranked by improvement in passing efficiency
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 276pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=368 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 26pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1280" width=35><COL style="WIDTH: 71pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3474" width=95><COL style="WIDTH: 74pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3584" width=98><COL style="WIDTH: 36pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1755" width=48><COL style="WIDTH: 69pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 3364" width=92><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.5pt" height=18><TD class=xl33 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 13.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=18>Yr.</TD><TD class=xl34 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=95>Player</TD><TD class=xl34 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 74pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=98>School</TD><TD class=xl34 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48>Rating</TD><TD class=xl35 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92>Improvement</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=17 x:num>2001</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=95>Byron Leftwich</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 74pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=98>Marshall</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>164.6</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>30.6</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=17 x:num>2005</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=95>Troy Smith</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 74pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=98>Ohio St.</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>162.7</TD><TD class=xl29 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>28.5</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=17 x:num>2000</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=95>Casey Printers</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 74pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=98>TCU</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>156.7</TD><TD class=xl29 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>23.2</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=17 x:num>2005</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=95>Drew Stanton</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 74pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=98>Michigan St.</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>153.4</TD><TD class=xl29 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>21.6</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=17 x:num>2003</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=95>Charlie Frye</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 74pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=98>Akron</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>148.6</TD><TD class=xl29 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>12.1</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=17 x:num>2005</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=95>Drew Tate</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 74pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=98>Iowa</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>146.4</TD><TD class=xl29 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>11.7</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=17 x:num>2001</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=95>Jason Gesser</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 74pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=98>Washington St.</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>142</TD><TD class=xl29 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>9.5</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl27 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=17 x:num>2003</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=95>Joshua Haldi</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 74pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=98>Northern Ill.</TD><TD class=xl28 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>142</TD><TD class=xl29 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>9</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 13.5pt" height=18><TD class=xl30 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt solid; WIDTH: 26pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; HEIGHT: 13.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=35 height=18 x:num>2001</TD><TD class=xl31 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 71pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=95>Rex Grossman</TD><TD class=xl31 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 74pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=98>Florida</TD><TD class=xl31 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 36pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=48 x:num>170.8</TD><TD class=xl32 style="BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: windowtext; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext; WIDTH: 69pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=92 x:num>9</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

​
Troy and Byron Leftwich are in a class by themselves. The contrast between these two and everyone else on the list becomes more stark when you consider why the #3 man on the list is there.

In 1999, Ladainian Tomlinson averaged 6.9 yards per carry and was handed the ball 24.4 times a game.
In 2000, Ladainian Tomlinson averaged 5.85 yards per carry and was handed the ball 33.5 times a game.

The obvious upshot here is that in 1999, LT made the world notice him. The following year, TCU's opponents sold out to stop him, opening up the passing game and allowing for a vast improvement in his QB's numbers.

The following year, without LT, Casey Printers' passing efficiency plummeted to 125.4 points, a drop of 31.3 points.

​
This observation does more than sharpen the difference between the two men at the top of this list and everyone else on it. It serves as a reminder that Troy Smith is not losing a marquee back; he actually has a backfield that will garner more attention this year, not less.



One other observation that can be made from this list is that, apart from the three Big 10 quarterbacks who will be coming back this year; all of the men on this list actually suffered drop in efficiency as seniors, with the sole exception of Jason Gesser of Washington State. The thing that set Jason Gesser apart and allowed him to shine even brighter as a Senior was that he had a new back in his backfield in 2002.
In 2001, as a Junior, Jason Gesser's best rusher was Dave Minnich. Minnich managed a paltry 4.2 yards per carry.
In 2002, as a Senior, Jason Gesser's best rusher was Jermaine Green, who rushed for 5.5 yards per carry.

​
Let's review: TCU loses LT, and the QB loses over 31 points of efficiency. WSU gets a not new back, and the QB gains efficiency in spite of having had a stellar Junior year.

It is a simple matter of fact that having your best 3 running backs return and getting another one that can play at a high level means more to a qb's efficiency rating than losing your top receiver. It isn't directly intuitive (not to me anyway) but that is the story that the numbers tell.

It doesn't hurt that the person taking the place of your top receiver is Ted Ginn Jr. Let's face it, Santonio was special, but our #2, #3, #4 and #5 receivers are all coming back. We can expect them to improve. We can expect more production out of the Tight End position.

And IMHO we can expect more production out of our quarterback as well.

All Hail the Glory of Troy Smith
 
Upvote 0
Thanks man

Bob Buck said:
In the spirit of enlightening the masses who do not yet understand Troy Smith WILL win the Heisman next year, I made a video. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF0OS5B0kaE

Thanks to this forum and Mili for the video clips!

P.S. Be sure to watch the end...
Click to expand...

Thanks Man, excellent ending. It's only missing one play...that one versus Indiana where he spins around the tackler and scores the touchdown.
 
Upvote 0
BuckBojangles said:
Thanks Man, excellent ending. It's only missing one play...that one versus Indiana where he spins around the tackler and scores the touchdown.
Click to expand...

Yeah... I was kind of limited by the length of the song. I didn't even get Ted Ginn in on the action. I've only got receptions by Holmes and Gonzo.

I think that just attests once again to how AMAZING Troy Smith is... there is more highlight material in the bank than what I know what to do with.

Edit: wait... I think the play you are talking about is the very first clip in my video. I started the video in the middle of that play.
 
Upvote 0
Popper252 said:
Watching all these videos makes me realize how much we're gonna miss Santonio.
Click to expand...

I will miss his big plays but it looks like we got rid of him at just the right time for the University's sake...with all of the trouble he has been getting into. He was making me pretty nervous last year showing up to some of Tressels speaking engagements in flashy high dollar suits and stuff. The NCAA, I feel is still hiding in the bushes waiting for a mis-step. I hope he gets his shit together soon....for his sake.

:oh::io:
 
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