Numbers Never Lie: Using Stats to Determine the SEC’s Best Returning Quarterback
Current and Final Standings: Fitzgerald 4.25, Hurts 4.0, Allen 1.0
Well, that’s quite close. Fitzgerald edged out Hurts by just 0.25. Allen was left in the dust to put it lightly. To be fair to Allen, I do believe that he is probably the best overall passer in the SEC, and he’s perfect for what Arkansas does offensively. And that’s something else to remember. The best quarterback for one team isn’t necessarily the best for another.
As for the other two, it’s almost too close to call. A difference of 0.25 means that Fitzgerald performed slightly better in one of the many sub-categories used for the rankings. Still, he finishes first in my statistical rankings, and when you consider the lack of surrounding talent he has (at least compared to what Hurts has at Alabama), Fitzgerald’s first-place finish becomes more impressive.
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Completion percentage is what prevented Fitzgerald from running away with this race, but despite struggling in that area, he still managed to finish first in both total yards and touchdowns. Many will point to his 6-7 record to discredit him, but like I said, records are more reflection of teams than players. And I’m not sure that any of MSU’s seven 2016 losses can be blame on Fitzgerald.
I still expect Jalen Hurts to be named 1st Team All-SEC come media days, mostly because of his ridiculously impressive 14-1 record as a freshman. But when it comes to statistics, Nick Fitzgerald is the SEC’s best quarterback, and you know that Numbers Never Lie.