tale of the tape – Page 4 – Syndication Server

Auburn vs Mercer: Quarterback’s Tale of the Tape

A look at the quarterback comparison between Auburn QB TJ Finley and Mercer QB Fred Payton.

With the offseason officially in the rearview mirror, Auburn Wire set it’s sights on the season opener against the Mercer Bears. Last year the Bears finished 7-3. Their lone FBS matchup came against the Alabama Crimson Tide during week 2, in which they lost 48-14.

This year they come into their week 1 showdown with Auburn with a game already under their belt. It was a 63-13 throttling of Morehead State, Mercer led 42-10 at the half and cruised in the second half.

With the game just over 72 hours from kickoff, we preview the matchup with the quarterback tale of the tape. In their first game, Mercer quarterback Fred Payton threw for 248 yards and 4 touchdowns.

(Watch and stream the game live on ESPN+)

T.J. Finley vs Fred Payton

2021 Stat Comparison

TJ Finley	vs	Fred Payton
6-7	Ht	6-2
246	Wt	220
Junior	Class	Senior
70	Comp	112
128	Att	194
54.7	Comp%	57.7
827	Yards	1,683
6.5	YPA	8.7
6	TDs	12
1	INTs	10

[mm-video type=video id=01gbrqsw4qgx4eyntmea playlist_id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gbrqsw4qgx4eyntmea/01gbrqsw4qgx4eyntmea-8e9c192efeec8e2baf5a6a089dce0f6b.jpg]

[listicle id=52871]

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Patrick on Twitter @PatrickConnCFB.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

LSU vs ULM: Tigers vs Warhawks in the “Tale of the Tape”

Breaking down the LSU-ULM game in the tale of the tape.

Not sure if you have heard but the LSU Tigers have an opportunity to get their fifth win of the season. This one comes against in-state rivals the ULM Warhawks, I used the term rivals very loosely. These teams have met on the football field just three times since 2003. The Tigers have won each time by a combined 131-7 margin. The Warhawks’ lone touchdown came in the fourth quarter of the first-ever matchup.

[lawrence-related id=30067]

There has been a false narrative that the LSU Tigers have nothing to play for in the final two games after losing five of the last six games. They still have a bowl game on the table, they just have to get through ULM and Texas A&M. If they can find a way to win both, they will get to a bowl game. Why is playing in a lower-tier bowl game important?

It might not be the sexy bowl matchups that were being dreamed of heading into the season but it isn’t just the game itself. With a bowl game, you get extra practice days. More time for the younger players on the team to get reps, especially if we see some players who might be NFL draft prospects opting out. While Ed Orgeron won’t be back, it remains to be seen if some of the staff are holdovers. Their evaluations will be critical for the next head coach of the LSU Tigers.

[listicle id=30645]

With all that being said, we preview the Tigers-Warhawks game in this week’s tale of the tape.

LSU vs Alabama: Running Backs Tale of the Tape

Looking at the Ty Davis-Price vs Brian Robinson Jr matchup.

We have reviewed the quarterback matchup between LSU’s Max Johnson and Alabama’s Bryce Young. Focus shifts to their backfield mates in Ty Davis-Price for the Tigers and Brian Robinson Jr of the Tide.

Both are experienced veterans of their group and both had high expectations going into the season. As it sits right now they are ranked No. 6 (Davis-Price) and No. 4 (Robinson) in the SEC. Both runners will have an opportunity to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark by the season’s end.

Let’s see who has the advantage going into Saturday night’s game.

Ty-Davis Price vs Brian Robinson Jr

How do the two feature backs stack up?

Davis-Price	vs	Robinson Jr
6-1	Ht	6-1
232	Wt	228
Junior	Class	Senior
120	Carries	142
628	Yards	706
5.2	YPC	5.0
372 (3.1 per carry)	YAC	506 (3.56 per carry)
6	TDs	11

Edge: Brian Robinson Jr

From the 40,000 foot view, their numbers are comparable. TDP has a slight edge with 5.2 yards per attempt versus Robinson’s 5.0 per attempt. However, those numbers don’t necessarily reflect which back is having the better season. As always, there is context.

Twice this season in eight games, Davis-Price has rushed for more than five yards per attempt. Against the Kentucky Wildcats, that number was 6.7 yards per attempt and against the Florida Gators it was 8.0. In every other game that number drops to 4.6 or lower. The high of 4.6 came against FCS level opponent, McNeese on eight carries.

On the flip side, half of Robinson’s games have come at a clip of five yards per attempt or better. The lowest is 3.8 against Mississippi State. The same Bulldogs defense that surrendered just 3.9 on 13 carries to Davis-Price.

Robinson has shown to be the better runner this season, the better scorer, and he has been used in the passing game.

Rushing Defense Rankings

How the defenses stack up in the run game according to their SEC rankings.

LSU	vs	Alabama
304 (7th)	Att	250 (3rd)
1,328 (9th)	Yards	717 (2nd)
4.37 (11th)	YPA	2.87 (2nd)
166.0 (9th)	YPG	89.63 (2nd)
12 (8th)	TDs	7 (4th)

LSU vs Auburn: Running Backs Tale of the Tape is David vs Goliath

Comparing the LSU running backs to Auburn’s is like comparing David vs Goliath.

The game on Saturday night will feature teams that use a duo of running backs. The LSU Tigers have been known for running the football in their history, however, since Clyde Edwards-Helaire left it has been a shell of their former selves. To say they struggle to run the football would be an understatement.

Looking on the opposite side of the ball, Auburn runs the ball at will. Their young running back room is getting six yards or more every time they touch the football. This is a tall task for the LSU defense, slow down the run game and force them to take to the passing game.

[lawrence-related id=26190,26184,26172]

When looking at the numbers, you may wonder why LSU keeps trotting out Davis-Price. He dealt with injuries throughout camp and it will likely be ongoing through the season. Kiner has been more impactful but head coach Ed Orgeron is very bullish about Ty Davis-Price remaining as the starter.

To show how abysmal the running game has been for the LSU Tigers, Auburn averages more yards after contact (3.6) than LSU does total (2.86). Once again we are looking for improvement in the run game. Last week against Mississippi State, the Tigers gave up 115 yards to the second-worst rushing attack in the conference. How do you think they will do facing the No. 2 rushing attack that gets 7.04 yards per attempt?

The running back comparison:

Ty Davis-Price	Corey Kiner	vs	Tank Bigsby	Jarquez Hunter
6-1	5-10	Ht	6-0	5-10
232	213	Wt	208	202
Junior	Freshman	Class	Sophomore	Freshman
40	27	Carries	65	36
123	144	Yards	403	382
3.1	5.3	YPC	6.2	10.6
101	120	YAC	225	142
0	2	TDs	4	2
1	0	Fumbles	1	0

If Auburn is able to run the ball they might be able to slow down the LSU passing attack in that they will see the field less. Running the football and wearing down the defense will keep Max Johnson and Kayshon Boutte on the sidelines, which bodes well for the visiting team.

One key matchup to watch when the game kicks off Saturday night at Tiger Stadium.

LSU vs Mississippi State: Running Backs Tale of the Tape

Previewing the running backs in the LSU-Mississippi State matchup.

[mm-video type=video id=01fg507rw72r3217sfh2 playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fg507rw72r3217sfh2/01fg507rw72r3217sfh2-114bee9452020d9002f5e7b76a2feca6.jpg]

When it comes to running the football, these two teams are really struggling in that area. The bright spot for the LSU Tigers is freshman runner Corey Kiner. Despite leading the team in rushing after back-to-back solid performances, head coach Ed Orgeron stated that Ty Davis-Price is still the starter but Kiner would get plenty of opportunities.

Unlike the Lincoln Riley version of the ‘Air Raid’ offense, Mike Leach prefers to sling it around. Last season in 11 games, the Mississippi Bulldogs finished dead last in rushing in the SEC. With just 43.9 yards per game, the only team under 100/yards per game. This year through three games they are slightly better at 45.3.

These two run games are below the century mark on a per game basis, LSU comes in at 85.7.

How do the running backs measure up?

You might want to sit down when you read these numbers.

Jo’quavious Marks	Dillon Johnson	vs	Ty Davis-Price	Corey Kiner
5-10	6-0	Ht	6-1	5-10
195	215	Wt	232	213
Sophomore	Sophomore	Class	Junior	Freshman
22	15	Att	27	23
83	79	Yards	72	130
3.8	5.3	YPA	2.7	5.7
2	1	TDs	0	2
22	16	Rec	2	0
94	116	Yards	26	0
1	0	TDs	0	0

We are going to give a slight edge to the LSU Tigers in the battle of the running backs. Both Dillon Johnson and Corey Kiner are slightly more effective based on their yards per attempt. The Tigers are a little more reliant on their run game than Mississippi State.

Runner	YAC	YAC/attempt	Missed Tackles Forced	10+ yard runs
Marks	45	2.05	2	1
Johnson	47	3.13	0	3
Davis-Price	56	2.07	5	1
Kiner	102	4.43	13	5

It appears that the most impactful running back of the four main ones is freshman Corey Kiner. LSU needs to find more opportunities to get the ball in his hands.

LSU vs Mississippi State: Quarterback Tale of the Tape

A look at Will Rogers and Max Johnson in our QB Tale of the Tape

Saturday will feature a pair of young quarterbacks looking to duke it out. Both of them played in six or more games last season but neither saw action in the LSU-Mississippi State game from a season ago. Last year’s starters in Myles Brennan (injury) and KJ Costello (NFL free agent) are gone, it turns to Max Johnson vs Will Rogers.

How do the two quarterbacks measure up?

The battle of the sophomores in our ‘Tale of the Tape’.

Will Rogers	vs	Max Johnson
6-2	Ht	6-5
210	Wt	219
Sophomore	Class	Sophomore
122	Comp	70
163	Att	108
74.8	Comp %	64.8
1,083	Yards	863
6.6	Yards/Att	8.0
8	TDs	11
1	INTs	2

Both quarterbacks are heading into their sophomore campaigns where they started multiple games as freshmen in 2020. Rogers played in nine games and started six. Johnson would appear in six games while starting two. Both are looking for the upper hand this weekend in Starkville. The Bulldogs throw it a lot more than the Tigers, Rogers has 55 more attempts this season.

Looking at the numbers, it appears that Johnson takes more shots down the field with slightly better yards per attempt. Both have limited the turnover throws this year, Johnson has just three in nine games. Rogers has eight in 12 games in his career.

Both defenses will need to get ready for both quarterbacks to throw it all over the field with the lack of a run game. LSU and Mississippi State are the two worst running teams in the SEC.

We will give the Bulldogs a slight edge in deep-ball passing. Rogers has nine attempts on the season with seven completions. Only one pass caught for over 20+ yards from Johnson didn’t result in a touchdown.

Quarterback	Comp	Att	Comp %	Yards	YPA	TDs	INTs
Rogers, MSU	7	9	77.8	207	23.0	3	0
Johnson , LSU	5	11	45.5	148	13.5	4	0

These two gunslingers might just put on a show on Saturday afternoon.

Quarterback Tale of the Tape: Max Johnson vs Jacob Sirmon

Who has the edge at quarterback on Saturday? We preview the QBs in our ‘Tale of the Tape’.

The LSU Tigers welcome in Central Michigan Chippewas for their first taste of playing at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. It will be an atmosphere that CMU is very much not used to. Chippewas head coach Jim McElwain is familiar with the electricity in Death Valley, but not something that his team is.

“You don’t see these places in the Mid-American Conference like this,” McElwain said on Wednesday. “Believe me when I tell you this, the difference between playing at Missouri and playing at LSU in Death Valley at night is quite a bit different. It starts with the fans, the fans are great. They are rabid about their home team. They make it something special and they don’t cut you any slack when you go in there, I’ll tell you that.”

How McElwain’s young quarterback handles the atmosphere and the crowd noise will be a key for the Chippewas to do the unthinkable. Can he outgun a fellow sophomore quarterback in Max Johnson when the lights come on?

Central Michigan vs LSU QB Tale of the Tape

How do the two quarterbacks measure up?

Jacob Sirmon	vs	Max Johnson
6-5	Ht	6-5
230	Wt	219
RS-Sophomore	Class	Sophomore
35	Comp	44
61	Att	73
57.4	Comp %	60.3
405	Yards	491
6.6	Yards/Att	6.7
4	TDs	6
2	INTs	1

The two quarterbacks are somewhat similar in size and stature. Looking at their stats, the slight edge goes to Max Johnson. He has a better completion percentage, more yards, more touchdowns, and one less interception. Johnson has the opportunity to build some real confidence heading into the SEC opener next week against Mississippi State.

Sirmon is in his third season of college football. However, this will be the seventh game that he has played in. In 2019, Sirmon appeared in three games for the Washington Huskies. Last season it was just one game. He transferred to Central Michigan ahead of the 2021 campaign. Prior to this year, he had thrown a total of four passes.

It is still relatively unknown what kind of quarterback he can be. Sirmon is still learning, as is Johnson. Johnson has the upper hand with game experience. The CMU quarterback got his first taste of SEC play in the season opener against Missouri. He completed 23 of 45 attempts for 295 yards, completing 51.1% of his passes. Sirmon had one touchdown but threw two interceptions. Derek Stingley Jr and Eli Ricks will prove to be another test for the young quarterback. How will he handle the raucous crowd in Death Valley?

Browns vs. Chiefs tale of the AFC divisional round tape

Here’s how the two teams stack up statistically in a number of key areas.

The Cleveland Browns get a shot at knocking off the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC divisional round this Sunday. Fresh off an upset win in Pittsburgh over the rival Steelers, the Browns once again face a difficult opponent with a lot of offensive firepower and some premium defensive weapons.

Those same traits also apply to the Browns themselves, which makes this a fascinating matchup in Kansas City. Here’s how the two teams stack up statistically in a number of key areas.

All stats are from Pro Football Reference and Team Rankings.

Alamo Bowl: Wide Receiver Tale of the Tape

In the ongoing tale of the tape series, we preview the wide receivers in the Alamo Bowl. Does Texas Longhorns’ Joshua Moore have the edge?

We have seen the quarterbacks and the running backs, now time to take a look at the wide receivers in this game. For Texas, they will be without Brennan Eagles, who opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft. That puts Joshua Moore under the microscope for the wide receiver tale of the tape for the Valero Alamo Bowl.

Joshua Moore started off on fire to begin the 2020 college football season. After the first two games on the year, Moore led the team with 11 receptions for 200 yards and four touchdowns. That included the game-tying and winning catch against Texas Tech in overtime of the Big 12 opening thriller in Lubbock.

Slot specialist Jake Smith is right behind Moore in terms of production level, Moore leads the team in touchdowns with seven total. Smith is third with three touchdown catches throughout the season.

Continue reading “Alamo Bowl: Wide Receiver Tale of the Tape”

Valero Alamo Bowl: The running back tale of the tape

The Alamo Bowl will feature two running backs who could be the focus of the game. Texas’ Bijan Robinson and Colorado’s Jarek Broussard.

The Valero Alamo Bowl is another opportunity to showcase the talents of the highly touted freshman, Bijan Robinson. He will match up with sophomore running back Jarek Broussard. Both are in their first seasons as starters. Robinson has appeared in more games (8) than Broussard (5). However, the latter has given his team more production. Bijan had to work his way into the starting spot after beginning the year at the No. 3 back on the depth chart.

Continue reading “Valero Alamo Bowl: The running back tale of the tape”