“Great Scott.” A look back – Week 3 Leaders

YDS

YDS/GM

Pass

Run

Points (avg)

1.Georgia Tech

2026

675.3

765

1283

178 (59.3)

2. Oklahoma State

1803

601.0

1252

579

157 (52.3)

3. Wash. State

1619

539.7

1192

479

147 (49)

4. Oregon

1619

539.7

840

783

152 (50.7)

5. Houston

1608

536

1265

384

121 (40.3)

13. Stanford

1444

481.3

861

588

138 (46)

17. Arizona State

1371

457

967

427

99 (33)

75. LSU

1034

344.7

560

498

108 (36)

107. Oregon State

780

390

524

289

28 (14)

Note: Oregon State has only played two games losing to Sacramento State and Wisconsin

This early in the season what do we learn from these numbers? As of Sunday, unranked Georgia Tech has stomped on Western Carolina, Middle Tennessee, and Kansas (on average GT is giving up 22 points a game). OSU’s opponents have been notably stronger (in order, wins against Louisiana-Lafayette, Arizona, and Tulsa) and are ranked #8.  They are also giving up 27 points a game. Oklahoma State is a good football team but with games against Baylor, Texas, and Oklahoma this can easily be a three loss team. Let’s go Cougs! I for one love seeing the northwest here tied at number three Oregon and WSU are racking up some huge numbers. WSU (unranked) has squared off against Idaho State, UNLV, and San Diego State so far this season. The Cougs lost one game to SDSU but they’re building back a once great program so it is outstanding to see the progress. Next up WSU gets Colorado this will be a huge statement game for WSU. I would call it a must win game for this program.

Oregon nationally ranked #12 remains an offensive stat giant even after failing (by national championship standards) against LSU, scoring only 27 while giving up 40 (averaging 22.3 points a game scored against). Why? The answer is simple Nevada and Missouri State. Yes Oregon is a good team, maybe a great team, but we haven’t seen a win against a quality opponent yet. If the Ducks played in the WAC (Nevada) or in the MVC (Missouri State) they would already be crowned the conference champions, but the Ducks play in a national powerhouse conference. Oregon did what they were supposed to do against a weaker opponent, win big, and get your young guys a college letter. However the barometer for UO will come against the next three opponents in the Pac 12; at Arizona, home against California, and Arizona State. I am on record here at autzenzoo saying that Arizona is a bad football team. Oregon should get all over the Wildcats early and often. If we see that, then look out BCS the Ducks are in fact back in the national spotlight waiting for a slip up in the SEC.

Arguably the three best teams in the nation right now are #2 Alabama, #1 Oklahoma, and #3 LSU. On this team offensive stat list they come in at 14, 87, and 75. Oklahoma has only played two games total (Tulsa and Florida State). Alabama has three games all wins against Kent State, Penn State, and North Texas. LSU beat up Oregon, Northwestern State, and Mississippi State. Competition breeds success, and the SEC is tough. Don’t buy into huge offensive numbers yet, the biggest stat is wins in college football. Unfortunately a one loss Oregon is very much on the outside looking in but the season is young and a lot can happen.