Published October 19, 2012 - 2:45pm
NEW: Discuss this topic in the Google+ community for SEC fans.
Each week, we’ll post some interesting stats that will no doubt change over the course of the season. We’ll try and keep ‘em fresh every week.
Here are the interesting stats for week eight:
1. Three teams in the SEC are averaging over 40 points per game
The SEC hasn’t had two teams finish averaging over 40 points per game in the last five seasons. This season, Texas A&M averages 47 points per game, Georgia 41.3 and Alabama 40.5, and all are over the mark. It’s unlikely Alabama finishes averaging over 40, but Georgia and Texas A&M certainly could. Outside of Alabama and LSU, Texas A&M could hover around 40 on every team. Georgia has an explosive offense that could make a run at it also with only Florida left. Tennessee is not too far off either, averaging 38 points per game. I thought this league was supposed to be offensively boring and known for defense?
2. Johnny Manziel is 3rd in the country in total offensive yards
We know what Johnny Football is doing within the SEC, but we always see players from lesser conferences like the MAC and CUSA light it up. However, Manziel has 2,356 total offensive yards, only 56 yards behind the leader who happens to be from Houston. Manziel is also averaging 8.38 yards per play and has three SEC games under his belt to boot. We’ll see if he can keep up his crazy pace against LSU and Alabama.
3. Texas A&M DE Damontre Moore has 15 tackles for loss
Why is this significant? Damontre Moore actually leads the SEC in tackles for loss, ahead of the all-world Jadeveon Clowney. Furthermore, Moore leads the entire country in tackles for loss and is second in sacks with 8.5. He’s often overlooked for what he accomplishes each and every week on the field. I’m giving him some respect.
4. Cordarrelle Patterson averages 19.9 yards per play
Tennessee wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson gets 19.9 yards per touch. He leads the SEC in that department, and he is second in total yards with 835 behind LaDarius Perkins. So, essentially, Tennessee needs to let Patterson touch it 20 times against Alabama, from returning kicks and catching passes to giving him some time at running back. The Vols should play Patterson much like Florida played Percy Harvin. Just get him the damn football.
5. Opponents have scored on LSU 100 percent of the time in the red zone
LSU’s opponents are putting up points when it matters. With 13 attempts in the red zone, offenses have scored 11 touchdowns and two field goals. The Tigers are the only team in the SEC to allow this figure. On the contrary, opponents are scoring on Alabama in the red zone just 50 percent of the time – four touchdowns and no field goals in eight attempts.
The LSU red zone stat has got to be troubling for the Tigers. The TAMU #s are also interesting. It will be interesting to see where those numbers trend as TAMU gets into the teeth of its SEC West schedule.
considering Bama is 27/28 in the red zone, I can see where LSU might be worried……….. ;-)