Spiff's Spots of Observation and Other Statistical Nonsense

[SpiffCoug]

Time for another break down of what I gleand from the box score, my spreadsheet and my own two eyes while sitting in the stadium.

- The PER battle is abysmal this year! It's just 3-4 (.429). Of course, in three of the four PER losses, the teams were within 4 PER points which is about 1 completions for 10 yards - essentially a toss up.

- Christian Stewart's 408 yards passing were the most since Taysom Hill's 417 vs Houston in 2013. Which was also the last time BYU also had 4 passing touchdowns.

- BYU was 13 of 21 (.619) on 3rd down. It was BYU's best conversion rate since going 10 of 14 (.714) vs New Mexico St in 2011.

- BYU's four conversions on 4th down were the most in any one game under Bronco. And the four conversions given up were the most since Air Force went 6 for 7 in 2009.

- BYU gained 25 1st downs through the air, the most through the air since the 2007 Tulsa game - ironically another game BYU lost in a shootout.

- BYU had 193 yards rushing, it was the third straight game BYU had lost with more than 150 yards rushing. Before this streak, Bronco was 53-9 (.855) in games with 150 yards rushing.

- The Cougars are just 3-8 (.375) in their last 11 games decided by 7 or less. They are also 2-7 (.222) in their last nine games against the spread

- BYU has yet to play an opponent wearing a helmet other than blue or white. Here are the colors I've seen Boise wear and Bronco's record vs those colored helmets: Blue 7-7 (.500); White 21-6 (.778); Black 3-1 (.750).

- BYU is 1-3 in their last four games vs Nevada. The Wolfback enjoy getting up to play BYU.

- Mitch Mathews was targeted 19 times. It's the most targets by a player since Cody Hoffman was targeted 20 times vs Utah in 2013. But Mathews had 13 catches for 182 yards, 2 TDs and 0 targets intercepted; whereas Hoffman only had 8 catches for 108 yards, 0 TDs and 1 target intercepted.

- Thru 7 games, BYU's passing in the Blue Zone is OUTSTANDING. 25 completions on 40 attempts for 220 yards with 10 TDs, 2 INTs and a PER of 173.70. Last year, through 7 games the Cougars were 12 of 31 of 118 yards with 5 TDs, 2 INTs and a 111.01 PER.

- BYU has really struggled on 2nd down the last two games. UCF and Nevada combined to face 2nd & 7 or longer on 40 occassions. They only faced 3rd & 7 or longer 13 times. Conversely, on offense they've seen 33 2nd & 7 or longer turn into 21 3rd & 7 or longer.

- BYU QBs have been sacked one time more through seven games than last year. But they've lost only 119 yards this year vs 156 last year.

- BYU has been outscored 36-7 in the 4th quarter and Overtime the last two games.