TEAMS LEFT BEHIND IN THE PASSING REVOLUTION
The season continues along a record-breaking arc in terms of some key passing statistics, most notably passing yards per game (238.61 at present) and completion percentage (61.5). But that doesn’t mean everyone can throw it and catch it with increased competence. If you look at the bottom of the FBS passing stats, there are some notable Power 5 teams languishing. Among them:
Iowa (33). Record: 1–2. Pass efficiency rating: 100.88. National ranking: 117th out of 123, and fifth-lowest among teams that have played more than one game. The Hawkeyes came into the season slinging it, which seems like a bad idea in retrospect. Their 90 passing attempts in the first two games were the most in consecutive games for the program since 2014, and the result was just a single touchdown and three interceptions. Kirk Ferentz got back to FerentzBall last week in trampling Michigan State, throwing it 29 times and running it 41. Spencer Petras is a first-year starter replacing a guy who threw nearly 1,200 career passes, so some learning curve was expected. The next four opponents all have mediocre-to-bad defenses, so this is an opportunity to sharpen up that part of the Iowa offense.
Nebraska. Record: 0–2. Pass efficiency rating: 104.24. National ranking: 115th out of 123, and seventh-lowest among teams that have played more than one game. Only one FBS team that has played more than one game has failed to throw a touchdown pass. Take a bow, Cornhuskers. They’ve thrown the ball 65 times, and not once has a quarterback completed it to someone wearing the same-colored jersey in the end zone. Adrian Martinez is regressing statistically as a passer, leading Scott Frost to give more opportunities to backup Luke McCaffrey—most notably with the game on the line against Northwestern on Saturday. We’ll see how long Frost stays committed to a two-QB rotation—perhaps until one of them throws a TD pass.
