Statistics: O-Line & Levis

theGreatestTradition · Oct 5, 2022

Last night I analyzed Kentucky's offensive statistics through five games. Specifically, I focused on the offensive line and Will Levis, comparing the two. I considered all statistics I found relevant at each position (outside of PFF premium statistics) and examined both FBS and SEC rankings. Keep in mind there are 130 FBS teams and 14 SEC teams. This is what I found:

Offensive Line: (here's a link explaining these statistics)

Sacks Allowed: 19
- FBS: 124th
- SEC: 14th
Average Line Yards: 2.48
- FBS: T-100th (4th in 2021)
- SEC: 10th
Average Standard Down Line Yards: 2.46
- FBS: 99th (4th in 2021)
- SEC: 11th
Average Passing Down Line Yards: 2.93
- FBS: 67th (3rd in 2021)
- SEC: 8th
Opportunity Rate: 42.8%
- FBS: 108th (2nd in 2021)
- SEC: 12th
Power Success Rate: 69.2%
- FBS: 69th (69th in 2021)
- SEC: 10th
Stuff Rate: 20.3%
- FBS: 100th (8th in 2021)
- SEC: 12th
Sack Rate: 12.4%
- FBS: 130th (54th in 2021)
- SEC: 14th
Standard Downs Sack Rate: 11.5%
- FBS: 128th (67th in 2021)
- SEC: 14th
Passing Downs Sack Rate: 12.3%
- FBS: 123rd (53rd in 2021)
- SEC: 13th

Will Levis:

Passing Efficiency (QBR): 174.91
- FBS: 9th
- SEC: 2nd
Passing Touchdowns: 12
- FBS: 18th
- SEC: 3rd
Interceptions: 4
- FBS: T-69th
- SEC: T-10th
Passing Yards: 1405
- FBS: 21st
- SEC: 3rd
Passing Yards per Game: 281
- FBS: 24th
- SEC: 4th
Completions: 97
- FBS: 24th
- SEC: 4th
Attempts: 141
- FBS: 24th
- SEC: 4th
Completion Percentage: 68.79%
- FBS: 27th
- SEC: 4th
Yards per Completion: 14.48
- FBS: 14th
- SEC: 4th
Yards per Attempt: 9.96
- FBS: 7th
- SEC: 2nd

The offensive line is extremely poor at the moment. More so than I expected. We are dead last in the FBS in sack rate and at least in the bottom half in all offensive line statistics. I'm not sure if it's an adjustment to scheme, inexperience, lack of talent, or a combination of the three, but there's no reason the drop-off from last season should be this drastic. However, C-Rod's return will improve the rushing statistics and I'm sure he was a big factor in the great numbers from last season. We saw that against Ole Miss. Pass protection, on the other hand, is a major problem that must be fixed if we want to compete for the East (obviously.) I'm hoping C-Rod's return will keep defenses from loading the box and bringing so much pressure. When you look at Levis's numbers, he's been very impressive this season. They're actually better through five games this season - without C-Rod and with an inferior offensive line - than they were last season. Although he can do a better job of moving up in the pocket, I think the pressure he anticipates contributes greatly to his tendency to speed up at times rather than go through his progressions.

I didn't post this to bash the offensive line. I think they've done some good things here and there. But they've got to find a means to improve. With that said, there's a lot of football left and still time to figure things out. And when we do, we will be dangerous. Let's cook some roosters Saturday night! Go Cats.

502 Wildcat · Oct 5, 2022