Caleb Williams vs ranked opponents the myth that won't die

[clenbuterol_clint]

once the backup from usc (in his first ever start) tossed 6 tds in a bowl game was all you needed to know.

Matt Cassel Proves Tom Brady Is a System Quarterback

I can't resist. I've seen this argument trotted out one too many times to sit idly by and let it go unaddressed simply because those of us who respect what Tom Brady has done are bored by it...

www.google.com

 

[LiverpoolBearsFAn]

The same thing was said about the likes of Mahomes and Allen (and many more) so it’s pretty meaningless even if true.

 

[TL1961]

once the backup from usc (in his first ever start) tossed 6 tds in a bowl game was all you needed to know.

Yep. Because bowl games are a great indicator.

 

[Bust]

Yep. Because bowl games are a great indicator.

Caleb kicking himself for not padding stats in the bowl game tho. IF the backup could throw 6 tds, how many for Caleb if he suited up? 10? 12?? His draft stock and endorsements would have been sky high ringing off the hook. No wonder his daddy, Lavar Williams is so proud of his son!!

Caleb wants to be a model so bad . . .

The New King of College Football

Caleb Williams has already won a Heisman, resurrected a storied USC program, and become a highly paid pioneer in this newly lucrative era of college sports. Why would he ever want to leave school?

www.gq.com

 

[DefNextYear]

So as an honestly ignorant reader on this (don't follow college ball), is it true that Caleb is/was significantly worse against top 25 Defenses - overall by end of USC season?

I don't care about Daniel's "article", esp. if since he's actually giving #s against top 25 teams as a response to claims that he was weaker against stronger opponents. <--While overall team ranks are sort of relevant maybe ,

Defensive strength vs his performance is the original claim & a more relevant comp, per the graphic.

I haven't done the homework to answer that very accurately... I'm sure someone has, but once the graphic came out, which I think was after the ND game, I didn't see an update. I think he also had Utah and UCLA this year that were top 25 defenses. Those came after the graphic. I think he had like ~250 passing yards against Utah with no TDs or Ints and just under 400 passing yards against UCLA with 1/1 TD/INT...both above 70% passing. So, if the graphic was updated, it would look slightly better. I googled the thread below for context. As I'm typing all this... I might as well just update the damn thing. The only caveat is I don't know 100% who the top 25 defenses are, so feel free to correct me. I'm just going to add in UCLA and Utah.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CFB/comments/17arf9m
Updated numbers:

`Year Team	Comp.	Att.	Pct.	Yards	TDs	Ints	Rating
'21 Baylor	9	18	50.0%	142	0	2	94.0
'21 ISU	8	18	44.4%	87	1	1	92.3
'21 Ok State	20	39	51.3%	252	3	0	130.9
'22 Oregon State	16	36	44.4%	180	1	0	95.6
'23 ND	23	37	62.2%	199	1	3	100.0
`23 Utah	24	34	70.6%	256	0	0	133.8
`23 UCLA	31	42	73.8%	384	1	1	153.7
New numbers	131	224	58.5%	214.3	7	7	70.6
Graphic (calc verification)	76	148	51.4%	172.0	6	6	66.4

 

[Starion]

I haven't done the homework to answer that very accurately... I'm sure someone has, but once the graphic came out, which I think was after the ND game, I didn't see an update. I think he also had Utah and UCLA this year that were top 25 defenses. Those came after the graphic. I think he had like ~250 passing yards against Utah with no TDs or Ints and just under 400 passing yards against UCLA with 1/1 TD/INT...both above 70% passing. So, if the graphic was updated, it would look slightly better. I googled the thread below for context. As I'm typing all this... I might as well just update the damn thing. The only caveat is I don't know 100% who the top 25 defenses are, so feel free to correct me. I'm just going to add in UCLA and Utah.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CFB/comments/17arf9m
Updated numbers:

`Year Team	Comp.	Att.	Pct.	Yards	TDs	Ints	Rating
'21 Baylor	9	18	50.0%	142	0	2	94.0
'21 ISU	8	18	44.4%	87	1	1	92.3
'21 Ok State	20	39	51.3%	252	3	0	130.9
'22 Oregon State	16	36	44.4%	180	1	0	95.6
'23 ND	23	37	62.2%	199	1	3	100.0
`23 Utah	24	34	70.6%	256	0	0	133.8
`23 UCLA	31	42	73.8%	384	1	1	153.7
New numbers	131	224	58.5%	214.3	7	7	70.6
Graphic (calc verification)	76	148	51.4%	172.0	6	6	66.4

Thanks! Nice to see a well sourced and typed reply on CCS!! I'm not even strongly in a camp or arguing a QB side; just like contextual fact-based info!

For clarification to all: "New Numbers" appears to be = updated totals & averages Nice to have that to compare to the graphic that has so many up in arms.