Spiff's Spots of Observation and Other Statistical Nonsense

It's a little later than normal, but the data and analysis is still what you want!



Spots of Observation

• BYU covered the 3.5 point spread. It was the third straight cover and marks the second straight year BYU has covered in the season's first three games.


• UCLA won the Passing Efficiency Rating (PER) battle 140.97 to 98.57. It marked 13th straight victory for the team with the better PER and that team is also 21-3 (.875) in the last 24 games and 49-6 (.891) over the last five years.


• BYU's 98.57 PER also marked the sixth time in the eight meetings against P5 teams that the Cougars failed to reach the 135 PER standard.


• UCLA had 10 plays of 10-19 yards in length and 4 plays of more than 20 yards. Through three games BYU has yielded 25 and 13 such plays respectively. Last year through three games the numbers were 14 and 13.


• The Bruins did convert 4 of their 8 (.500) 3rd-and-7 or longer attempts. But through three games opponents have converted on 7 of 18 (.389) attempts. Through three games last year it was 6 of 22 (.273).


• Conversely, BYU has converted on 5 of their 20 (.250) 3rd-and-7 or longer attempts. Last year through three games they had succeeded on just 6 of 28 attempts (.214).


• Cougar opponents have yet to attempt a 4th down conversion.


• BYU's five plays of 20 or more yards is the fewest through three games since I began tracking this stat in 2006.


• Taysom Hill's -7 yards rushing were not only a career low, it was also the first time he had been held to fewer than 14 yards rushing.


• BYU is still perfect on Blue Zone Scoring. They have scored four touchdowns and kicked three field goals on their seven ventures inside the 20.


• With the loss, BYU dropped to 15-21 (.417) against teams in a gold helmet since 1989.


• The West Virginia Mountaineers will likely wear a white helmet. BYU is 64-24 (.727) against that colored helmet.

Receiver Efficiency Rating

Nick Kurtz, WR, 166.11 (133.16)

Garrett Juergens, WR, 150.40

Moroni Laulu-Pututau, WR, 128.55 (126.34)

Hunter Marshall, TE, 117.20 (135.60)

Jamaal Williams, RB, 115.60 (123.50)

Jonah Trinnaman, WR, 80.16 (114.95)

Colby Pearson, WR, 65.36 (127.05)

Mitchell Juergens, WR, 61.33 (88.80)

Aleva Hifo, WR, 33.33 (14.70)



RB, 82.57 (115.45)

TE, 117.20 (136.95)

WR, 111.60 (112.70)

WVU will be wearing blue helmets, FYI, FWIW.

Mars wrote:
WVU will be wearing blue helmets, FYI, FWIW.

BYU vs blue helmets since 1989: 17-15 (.531). Bronco was 10-9 (.526).

So our odds of winning just took a major hit thanks to WVU's helmet choice. Thanks a lot Obama!

hawkwing wrote:
So our odds of winning just took a major hit thanks to WVU's helmet choice. Thanks a lot Obama!

I'm still actively campaigning on twitter for HRC to endorse BYU's inclusion to the Big12. She hasn't yet. And Lindsey Stirling *still* hasn't responded to me asking her on a date. What is wrong with the world?

TulaneVandyRiceCoug wrote:

So our odds of winning just took a major hit thanks to WVU's helmet choice. Thanks a lot Obama!

I'm still actively campaigning on twitter for HRC to endorse BYU's inclusion to the Big12. She hasn't yet. And Lindsey Stirling *still* hasn't responded to me asking her on a date. What is wrong with the world?

Have you attempted to ask Lindsey while dressed like Link from Legend of Zelda? That might work.