Texas vs Texas Tech: Wide Receiver Tale of the Tape

A look at the tale of the tape for the wide receivers. Who has the better group between Texas and Texas Tech?

The Texas and Texas Tech game on Saturday is sure to feature some teams that will throw the ball around the yard. Texas Tech has been known for the ‘Air Raid’ offense for the better part of the last two decades dating back to Mike Leach. The Longhorns are known more for running the football over the years but with Mike Yurcich calling the shots, we could see a lot more passing than we have come accustomed to over the years. Against UTEP, the Longhorns accounted for 481 yards passing.

In this version of the “Tale of the Tape”, the focus is on the pass catchers and more importantly the wide receivers. Joshua Moore and KeSean Carter led their teams in receiver in their opening wins to kick off the 2020 college football season. Which one could have the last laugh on Saturday afternoon?

Leading receivers for each team on Saturday, Sept. 12

Joshua Moore	vs	KeSean Carter
6-1	Ht	5-11
170	Wt	190
Rs-So	Year	Jr
8	Targets	7
6	Rec	6
75	Catch %	85.7
127	Yards	86
92	YAC	52
1	TDs	1
81.3	PFF Grade	87.7

These two teams will throw the ball to more than just one receiver, so it isn’t just about Moore vs Carter. For the Longhorns they hope to have Jake Smith ready to go on Saturday along with Tarik Black, Brennan Eagles and the new sensation Kai Money.

For Texas Tech it starts with T.J. Vasher on the outside along with Erik Ezukanma, Dalton Rigdon and Ja’Lynn Polk. Their group combined for 247 yards receiving, without adding in Carter’s numbers. If the Longhorns don’t get the run game going in this one, we could see a lot of yards racked up through the air.

Notable receivers career numbers

Tarik Black	Brennan Eagles	vs	TJ Vasher	Erik Ezukanma
6-3	6-4	Ht	6-6	6-3
217	229	Wt	215	220
Sr	Jr	Yr	Sr	Rs-So
45	34	Rec	135	48
587	592	Yards	1,835	778
3	7	TDs	19	6

Tale of the Tape: Browns vs. Steelers in Week 11

A statistical breakdown of the matchup between the host Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers for Week 11

How do the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers match up statistically heading into Thursday night’s game at FirstEnergy Stadium?

Here are some significant points from the tale of the tape between the two AFC North rivals.

Offense

The Steelers hold the edge in scoring average, 21.4 per game to the Browns’ 19.0.

Perhaps the biggest advantage the Browns have is in running the ball. Nick Chubb and the Cleveland rushing attack ranks 2nd in yards per carry at 5.2. Pittsburgh ranks 28th at just 3.5. In yards per game, the Browns average 123.9 (13th) to the Steelers and their 83.2 (27th).

Neither team is good in the red zone or on third downs. The Browns convert just 31.2 percent of third downs, just below Pittsburgh’s 36.1. Cleveland is better in the red zone, believe it or not, with a 46.7 TD rate to the Steelers’ 39.1 on the season.

Turnovers

One big area where the Steelers hold an advantage is turnovers. Pittsburgh is second in the NFL with 26 forced takeaways. Their overall plus-13 turnover ratio is also second-best (to New England in both categories).

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Cleveland sits near the bottom at minus-8 overall. The team has gone two weeks in a row without a giveaway, but a lack of forced turnovers from the defense — just nine on the season, or averaging one per game — hasn’t helped the ratio rise up very high.

Defense

The Browns rank 21st in PPG allowed at 24.6, well below the Steelers at No. 10 in allowing 20.1 points per game.

In pass defense, the Steelers also crack the top 10 with a QB Rating allowed of just 82.8 (6th). Cleveland’s 99.4 QB Rating allowed ranks 22nd. The interceptions for both teams factors in here.

The gap is narrower in yards per pass attempt, where the Steelers still have the advantage, 6.4 to 7.0. Both teams are in the middle of the NFL pack with those figures. Cleveland allows a lower completion percentage, 63.6 to Pittsburgh’s 64.7.

The two teams diverge in run defense. Pittsburgh is a full yard per carry better than the Browns, 3.9 to 4.9.