By the numbers: Lambert in rare air, and comparing Georgia and Alabama
There will be a lot of stats to throw around this week in preparation for the game-of-the-century, or at least this week’s version of it. We won’t throw them all out right now, but here are a few, as well as some pertinent updates on where Georgia and its players stand:
LAMBERT AND CHUBB
200.98
Greyson Lambert’s QB rating this season, which is the best in the SEC and third nationally, behind only Baylor’s Seth Russell and Southern California’s Cody Kessler. Lambert also ranks second in the nation in completion percentage (76.5), behind only N.C. State’s Jacoby Brissett, and Lambert is fourth nationally in yards-per-attempt (10.8).
183.3
Lambert’s passing yards per game, which is 80th in the nation. But a great completion percentage and zero interceptions tend to more than make up for that.
27
Number of points Ole Miss managed against Vanderbilt’s defense, a week after scoring 43 on Alabama. Vanderbilt’s defense currently ranks 34th nationally and fifth in the SEC after facing offenses that ran in the top 25 nationally: Ole Miss (11th), Western Kentucky (21st) and Georgia (23rd). So all this is to put into perspective Georgia’s one shaky offensive performance this season.
149.8
Nick Chubb’s rushing yards per game, ranking second in the SEC and sixth nationally. First in both categories is LSU’s Leonard Fournette (210.3).
ALABAMA VS. GEORGIA
4
The national rank of Alabama’s run defense, yielding 56.8 yards per game to Ole Miss (47th nationally in rushing offense), Wisconsin (55th), Middle Tennessee (82nd) and Louisiana-Monroe (126th). As for Georgia, it is averaging 257.8 rushing yards per game, ranking 17th nationally.
24
The national rank of Georgia’s run defense, yielding 107.3 yards per game to South Carolina (38th), Vanderbilt (104th), Louisiana-Monroe (126th) and Southern (FCS team.) As for Alabama, it is averaging 202.5 rushing yards per game, which is 45th nationally.
61
The national rank of Alabama’s pass defense, yielding 210.3 yards per game. The teams it has played rank 12th (Ole Miss), 21st (Middle Tennessee), 70th (Louisiana-Monroe) and 76th (Wisconsin) in passing offense.
23
The national rank of Georgia’s pass defense, yielding 166 yards per game. The FFBS teams it has played rank 35th (Vanderbilt), 70th (Louisiana-Monroe) and 114th (South Carolina) in passing offense.
6.3
The yards-per-attempt by Alabama quarterbacks, which ranks 107th nationally and second-to-last in the SEC. The collective QB rating of Alabama quarterbacks ranks 84th nationally and 10th in the SEC.
11
Sacks by Alabama this year. Georgia has given up only three sacks.
8
Sacks by Georgia this year. Alabama has given up five.
THE COMMON OPPONENT
92
Total yards of offense for Louisiana-Monroe at Alabama on Saturday, including just nine rushing.
251
Total yards for Louisiana-Monroe when it played at Georgia on Sept. 5, with 206 of it coming via passing yards.
303
Total yards for Alabama against Louisiana-Monroe, 137 via the run and 166 via pass.
435
Total yards for Georgia when it played Louisiana-Monroe, including 243 on the ground and 192 through the air.
PERCEPTION VS. REALITY (SO FAR)
9-7
Record of Alabama (3-1), Tennessee, Auburn and Georgia Tech (all 2-2), which were thought to be Georgia’s toughest opponents heading into the season.
13-3
Record of the other four teams on Georgia’s remaining schedule, including Florida (4-0). Kentucky, Missouri and Georgia Southern are all 3-1.
MORE ODDS AND ENDS
5
Trent Thompson’s tackles on Saturday, including 1.5 tackles-for-loss. The five-star recruit mainly played in the second half, after the starters had given way. But it was still encouraging to see a glimpse of what Thompson can do. He also nearly had his first career sack, but the Southern quarterback managed to get the ball off at the last minute.
0
Number of additional redshirts burned by scholarship freshman on Saturday. The only six who hadn’t played yet this season – offensive linemen Sage Hardin, Patrick Allen, Sam Madden and Mirko Jurkovic, tailback Tae Crowder and defensive lineman Justin Young – did not play. Jurkovic is injured and likely out for the year anyway.
65.0
The average yardage on Marshall Morgan’s nine kickoffs Saturday. That’s his best average of the season.
