Yes I believe McCoy has had it easier. I agree some of Quinn's opponents are weak but I think McCoy's schedule is easier.
I'd say Ohio State is on par with Michigan.
I'd say Oklahoma is on par with Georgia Tech.
I'd say Nebraska is on par with Penn State.
The rest aren't worthy of being mentioned.
If McCoy has had an easier schedule, it ain't by much.
But when you compare their stats:
McCoy -
7th in the country in passing efficiency
3rd in the country in passing TDs
147/217 (67.74%), 24 TDs, 4 INTs, 1,705 yards, 166.6 rating
Quinn -
22nd in the country in passing efficiency
6(t) in the country in passing TDs
193/303 (63.7%), 21 TDs, 4 INTs, 2,233 yards, 145.8 rating
Colt's been taken out of a few games pretty early. That's cut down on some of his stats (compare his number of attempts to that of Quinn). If Quinn were QBing at Texas, I'd imagine he'd have exited a few games early as well. So it'd be pretty difficult to imagine he'd have better numbers.
Dr. Toro said:
This year Oklahoma has the 27th best rushing defense (110 ypg) and the 19th best total defense.
2005 vs. OU 444 yards (206 rushing)
2006 vs. OU 244 yards (136 rushing)
And yet they still beat Oklahoma.
Dr. Toro said:
2005 team averaged 276 yards per game rushing (6 ypc)
2006 team averages 185 yards per game rushing (4.8 ypc)
Vince Young in '05 averaged 6.8 per.
Colt McCoy in '06 is averaging 3.2 per.
That alone could be enough to make up the difference.
Dr. Toro said:
Losing Taylor and VY hurts any rushing offense, but the Horns should have been able to compensate given their more experienced line and backfield. Charles numbers are down from last year (7.4 ypc to 5.9 ypc), even though he's older and healthier. I think it's pretty clear that this team should do a better job of running the ball, and McCoy with his 3 ypc average really doesn't scare anybody in the one read. Let McCoy pass and let the runners run.
On top of losing Vince Young, they've also lost Ahmard Hall, last year's FB, to the NFL.
You mentioned Taylor.
S. Young and Charles have already missed time this year due to injuries (neither played a down against SHSU). So despite being a year older, being healthier could be questioned.
They lost Jonathan Scott, last year's LT, to the NFL. He was replaced by Tony Hills. They lost Will Allen, last year's RG, to graduation. He was replaced by Cedric Dockery before he blew his knee out. Now Blalock is the starting RG while RS Freshman Adam Ulatoski is starting at RT. That's what you call a more experienced OL? Contrary to popular opinion, last year's OL was better than this year's.
They're starting a RS Freshman QB that will scare nobody with his legs and allow you to put 8/9 players in the box to force him to beat you with his arm.
The defense isn't playing close to what last year's was which is cutting down on the number of possesions by the offense. Not to mention the clock rule change imposed this year that is also cutting down on the number of snaps during the game.
Despite all that, they're ranked 20th in the country in rushing.
Could they do a better job rushing the ball? Sure...just as last year's team could've. If/When teams realize if they force Colt to beat them with his arm and he does and they finally back some players off the LOS, you're going to see the running game improve (and at the same time, McCoy's numbers are going to decline).
When you can pass the ball when you need to as well as run the ball when you need to, that's a balanced offense. That's a goal of teams across the country.
