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Introduction
Ah, Whiteout week. What a time to be on social media. Since Sunday the trash talk has flowed like stock footage of a mountain stream in a 1980s Busch beer commercial (speaking of trash talk, note to Auburn fans: James Franklin has been spouting his 1-0 mantra for years. Get over it). Crowd noise. Stadium size. Speed of athletes. Those trivial topics, and many more, have littered the Twitterverse for days now. One topic, however, that we’ve found to be not only interesting but decently researched has been the Jekyll/Hyde home and away statistical splits of Auburn QB Bo Nix.
The hyperlinked article (above) concludes with the following sentence: Penn State’s pass defense has given up 411 yards in 2 games and ranks no better than 68th nationally against the pass. Let’s see if Nix can take advantage. Fact check: OK that’s technically true. But the context of this stat is lacking. Against FBS competition, the Penn State defense has faced 41 pass attempts per game, which puts them tied for 15th most in the country. The Nittany Lions have allowed 5.0 yards per pass attempt — which is tied for 16th-best nationally — and opposing QBs have posted a collective 95.8 Passer Rating (15th).
So, sure, they’ve given up some yards but – who cares? If Bo Nix throws for 205 yards at 5 YPA, Penn State will win Saturday. That being said, let’s take a real look at the differences between the home and away splits of both QBs spotlighted on college football’s grandest stage – Nix and Sean Clifford. How have Nix and Clifford been in a real context against their opposition? You’re about to find out!
