Check the Score!

Hello Cougar Nation!

A tremendous Monday to you all!

Sorry that I’ve been away for a bit, but life has been just too crazy around Sutra’s compound in NY.

But, if you know me–and many of you do–there’s always one thing that will bring me back to the campfire….

And that is a quarterback controversy.  So, if you want a quick looksie at what’s inside my busy brain, then click on the Jumpentstein.

Nation, before I start into my ever-so-brief rant, let’s make a couple things oh-so clear:

Number 1:  The season is but a fetus.

Number 2:  Jeff Tuel is a good quarterback, and even more importantly, a great guy and ambassador for the university we all love.  So, please understand that (a) I’m rooting for Tuel to do well; and (b) I’m rooting for Tuel to do well.

Now, to the meat and potatoes…

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Nation, if there’s ONE instance in which Sutra has listened to me over the past two years, it is in this simple truth:  IF we want to sniff bowl eligibilty (meaning if we want to achieve mediocrity), we only have to pay attention to that “one thing.”

And that one thing is?

OUR SCORE.

As Sutra has written many O many a time, if we want to win football games, we need to score 30 points or more.

Want proof?

2010 record when scoring 30 or more points: 1-0

2010 record when scoring less than 30:  1-10

2011 record when scoring 30 or more points: 4-0

2011 record when scoring less than 30 points: 0-8.

And this year?  Well, we’re 1-1, with an offense that is averaging a blistering 15.0 points per game.  And while our defense certainly looks like it can be serviceable this year, well, our secondary play is more than a secondary concern…

For this reason, we can pretty much bank on the fact that if we want to beat teams like Oregon State, CAL, UCLA, Washington, and Utah (the games that we should have some shot at), we’re going to have to put points up on the board.

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So, without getting into the ins and outs of what we have or havent’ seen from Mr. Tuel so far this year, let’s take a look at how our team has fared thus far when our two QB’s have played more than a half of football (this means no AZ 2009 game for Tuel and and no 2011 OSU game for Tuel).

Jeff Tuel:

Number of Eligible Games: 20

Number of Wins: 3

Average Points Per Game: 17.25

Number of Games Over 30 Points: 1

Number of Games over 25 Points but less than 30: 3

Conor Halliday:

Number of Eligible Games: 2

Number of Wins: 1

Average Points Per Game: 32

Number of Games Over 30 Points: 1

Number of Games Over 25 Points but less than 30: 1

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Couple of quick hits.  First and foremost, it’s pretty hard to believe, but Saturday was Tuel’s 3rd win.  Second, because of the state of Cougar Football in 2009, it may not be fair to judge Tuel on that season.  So, let’s cut it.  When we do that, his average ppg total increases to 18.53…And if you don’t think that is fair, then let’s just go with his last 12 starts–which starts right around the UCLA game in 2010…when we do that, his average actually drops to 18.1 ppg

Again, the season is still young. The O-Line is having some problems and the WR corps is still ridiculously young.

But as someone who has tooted Tuel’s horn right, left, and center, sometimes is good to check the numbers as a way of guarding against Homerville.

All for Now.  Go Cougs!