Quarterback Tale of the Band
After a demoralizing loss to Auburn on Saturday night in Death Valley, we are on Lexington with an SEC inter-divisional clash with Kentucky. These teams have not faced each other since the 2014 season. LSU 41-3 in Death Valley. In their last two encounters, the Tigers have won by a combined 76-10 margin. This is LSU’s first trip to Lexington since 2007, a loss to the Wildcats.
These are your typical LSU Tigers and certainly not your typical Kentucky Wildcats. Head Coach Mark Stoops has his defense at a very high level. They look more like LSU Tigers than Tigers. They run football and play good defense. Kentucky could be in line for a disappointment game after knocking out Florida at Lexington for the first time since 1986.
Both teams have two quarterbacks that play a different style. Lévis is more of a game manager, who throws if the situation calls for it, but they like to run the ball. Johnson is more of the gunslinger, throwing the ball an average of 36.2 times per game. Lévis is averaging 23.6 attempted passes per game.
Then we compare the numbers
The story of the gang’s quarterback
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
A look at how Max Johnson compares to Will Levis of Kentucky. He became the Wildcats quarterback this season after being transferred from Penn State. Here’s how gunslingers stack up against each other:
|
Max johnson |
vs |
Will Levis |
|
6-5 |
HT |
6-3 |
|
220 |
weight |
222 |
|
Second year |
To classify |
RS Junior |
|
113 |
Comp |
73 |
|
181 |
Att |
118 |
|
62.4 |
% comp |
61.9 |
|
1,468 |
yards |
989 |
|
8.1 |
YP |
8.4 |
|
16 |
TD |
8 |
|
4 |
INT |
6 |
Numbers are an advantage for Johnson in almost every category. The southpaw has a slightly lower yardage per attempt and the completion percentages are nearly equal. Levis doesn’t have to throw it as much as Johnson due to a running game. In fact, they have the No. 1 SEC rusher in Chris Rodriguez Jr.
The two quarters will give the defense the opportunity to take the ball. Lévis throws an interception every 19.7 attempted passes. Given that he throws it 23.6 times per game on average, there will be an opportunity to take the ball. Johnson throws an interception every 45.3 attempted passes.
Considering everything we know about both teams, the slight advantage goes to Johnson. Mainly because he has to throw the ball to start the offense. He is currently second in the SEC behind Bryce Young with 16 touchdowns in five games.
List
LSU vs Kentucky: undefeated Wildcats standings
