As has been mentioned in various reports about the Wisconsin game, Ricky Stanzi's passing efficiency is up to third in the entire FBS, behind only Kellen Moore and Cam Newton. The key to Stanzi's success has been an absurd 10.17 yards per pass attempt, also third behind those two aforementioned QBs, and a drastic reduction in interceptions; Stanzi still only has two on the year. His touchdown rate is way up, and even his completion percentage is up 11.5 points over last season.
Also, lest one wishes to pin this success solely on Stanzi's competition, think again; The President's six-game season thus far is still by far better than his six most efficient performances from last season. Against Northern Iowa, Arkansas State, Wisconsin, Indiana, Northwestern (you can have us toss this game out, but his efficiency numbers only get worse), and Georgia Tech, this was Stanzi's total line:
91-147, 1458 yards, 10 touchdowns, 9 interceptions: 155.42 quarterback rating
Against Iowa's six opponents this season:
99-145, 1474 yards, 13 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 180.50 quarterback rating
So yes, he's playing at a clearly higher level now than he was 12 months ago. Sending the interception numbers off a cliff will do that.
Yet at the same time, that competition is, at some level, a concern. Stanzi's line at Michigan was 17-24, 248 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs. That's good. But some of those passes were really, really easy; the slant to Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was less a "what a throw by Stanzi" play and more of a "explain how J.T. Floyd is any better at pass coverage than a scarecrow tied to a broom" play. It was ghastly. And even with Indiana and Minnesota looming on the schedule, Iowa's definitely not facing a worse, more comically inept secondary than Michigan's all season long. Michigan Defense: We Appear To Be Trying.
So, hivemind, rather than start making the BHGP editorial position to this question a series of wildly specific (and therefore soon-to-be incorrect) speculations, we pose it to you: how will Ricky Stanzi's stats look at the end of the year?
Also, yes, the W-L record is most important. Yes, yes, yes, you're so very enlightened to say you'd rather have Ricky go 2-19 in a win than 34-34 in a loss. Guess what, False Dichotomy Man? We'd rather have him go 34-34 in a win.
Poll
Where will Ricky Stanzi end up in quarterback efficiency rankings at the end of the regular season?
Stanzi overtakes Newton and challenges Moore en route to a Heisman invitation (175 votes)
Stanzi remains in the Top 3-5 and is a fringe Heisman candidate (364 votes)
Stanzi's efficiency suffers slightly from Not Playing Michigan Syndrome but hovers around 10th for the year, making him an easy All-Big Ten selection. (357 votes)
Stanzi hits some rough patches but still excels against mediocre competition; his season ends in the top 20 of passing efficiency, which is better than we all thought it'd be 3 months ago (106 votes)
Stanzi's interception tendencies rear their ugly head, costing Iowa a game or two. All the western mid-major QBs who don't face real secondaries pass him, and Stanzi ends up around 30th in efficiency. (8 votes)
Bad Ricky comes back, and his efficiency rating is the least of Iowa's concerns after three or more shocking losses. Kinnick Stadium burns to the ground. Adrian Clayborn turns Communist. (18 votes)
1028 total votes



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