Big Ten Receiving Superlatives (ESPN piece)

Submitted by denardogasm on

Just came across a short piece on the best receiving threats in the conference based on numbers that aren't as routinely considered.  They looked at most sure-handed receiver, best YAC man, and best down-field threat.  

Michigan faired well, with Butt getting runner-up honors for the most sure-handed behind Iowa's TE Henry Krieger Coble.  Of note, Butt had 16 more catches than Krieger Coble for 250 more yards.  Apparently there were 12 receiver/TEs in the conference with 0 drops.  Butt had a 1.3% drop rate.

Darboh was the best YAC receiver in the conference with 8.93YAC on passes less than 5 yards downfield (criteria for the category).  Butt was actually dead last in this category which is somewhat surprising because I remember him getting loose a lot, but I think it might have to do with the 5 yard criteria.  When he caught balls in that range he was probably the safety valve on a blown up play a lot.

Chesson was runner-up in the best down-field threat category, the criteria for which were a little unclear to me, but they said he caught 8 of 17 targets for a 47.1% catch rate on balls thrown more than 20 yards downfield.  They note that he only dropped one of those and had 3 TDs on them, which was tops in the conference.  As we all know, the vast majority of those deep ball misses came in the first half of the season.

Something very notable I thought was that there were no Buckeyes and no Spartans on the list anywhere.  Obviously a lot of variables at play and these are just a few stats but it's just another thing to get excited about for next year.  The fact that we had three different guys on the list really speaks to the weapons we have and the ways we can attack a defense.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/132775/crunching-the-numbers-big-ten-wide-receiverstight-ends

Everyone Murders

May 3rd, 2016 at 6:39 PM ^

Nice write-up (arguably better than the ESPN piece you're linking too!), but I'm not surprised that there were no Spartans on the list.  Burbridge accounted for so much of their pass productivity, and he gone. 

A bit more surprised that OSU doesn't have some mention somewhere on the list, but given how many yards they get on their QBs legs, I guess it's not that counterintuitive.

MGoStrength

May 3rd, 2016 at 7:40 PM ^

Yeah, agreed here.  But, at the same time Corey Smith and Dontre Wilson have played and are returning.  I'd bet they both have pretty good years.  Despite not having anyone on the list, OSU has out-recruited the conference for a while and will reload.  In addition to Smith and Wilson back they also have Curtis Samuel, Noah Brown, and Austin Mack as well as Marcus Baugh at TE.  The cupboard is not exactly bare.

Perkis-Size Me

May 3rd, 2016 at 10:02 PM ^

OSU's offense isn't overly dependent on having good receivers. You take a look at who their real playmakers have been the last few years, Miller, Hyde, Barrett, Elliott, all natural runners.

OSU has some quality receivers, but they have not been asked to be elite. They're asked simply to do their jobs. There's been little doubt what OSU's bread and butter has been the last few years. Running the ball.




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Truthbtold

May 3rd, 2016 at 7:00 PM ^

That try and point out something to make UM fans somehow find a way to feel like they are better than MSU or OSU. And as long as you are talking about Softball and water polo it is valid. But as it relates to football there is only one thing that determines who is elite, and who is dog shit, and that's WINS. And when it comes to that defining factor, UM is clearly the Dog Shit. !! There is no list that can change this simple and understood fact.

rice4114

May 4th, 2016 at 3:56 AM ^

"But as it relates to football there is only one thing that determines who is elite, and who is dog shit, and that's WINS"

-We have more WINS overall then both
-We have More WINS head to head vs MSU (a lot actually)
-We have more WINS head to head vs OSU.
Unless of course you pick some random point in history. Basically we own you both in WINS!




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FauxMo

May 4th, 2016 at 9:22 AM ^

"Michigan faired well, with Butt getting runner-up honors..." Does this have to do with the fairs Harbaugh will be putting on at satellite camps, with rides and games and Hooters girls???