Plus: Tennessee’s star DT is a bona fide game-wrecker.
Welcome to Between the Numbers — where we look at what the Hudl IQ data tells us about what to expect in the unexpected world of college football.
Week 8 is here, and this week’s slate puts a handful of teams in a prove-it spot. We’re going to dive into three matchups — and the data behind their most intriguing players — to get you ready.
This week: Is Houston’s QB ready for a monster matchup? How has New Mexico kept the train rolling? Plus, can anyone stop this Tennessee defensive lineman?
The Matchup
Houston vs. Utah
Last week’s slate featured a head-spinning amount of high-profile matchups. And while this week isn’t loaded to the same degree, Houston-Utah carries real stakes for the Big 12 race over the second half of the season.
Houston enters this matchup 6-1 while riding a four-game win streak. A big reason why the Cougars have emerged as a dark-horse Big 12 title game candidate is the continued development of quarterback Conner Weigman.
Weigman has been excellent this season, averaging 0.43 EPA/Play and 0.44 EPA/Pass figures, while completing 67.3% of his passes.
He’s averaging 13.1 yards per completion and chips in a solid five yards per carry on the ground.
His dual-threat capabilities help Houston grind teams down in wins. He’ll face a tough test against Utah on Saturday, but if he keeps this up, Houston will play a major role in determining which program plays for the Big 12 Championship in December.
The Radar
New Mexico RB Scottre Humphrey
One of the best stories in college football right now is Jason Eck’s New Mexico Lobos.
The Lobos lost their star quarterback before the season and have still managed to jump out to a 5-1 record, with the lone loss coming by eight points to Oklahoma.
How have they done it?
It starts with the ground game, led by Scottre Humphrey. Humphrey has a 55.5% Usage Percentage this season and is grinding out 5.2 yards per rush. He’s been successful on half of his carries and is averaging 4.7 yards after contact per rush attempt.
This weekend, New Mexico has a monster clash with North Dakota State. The winner will likely move into the driver’s seat of the Mountain West race and could find themselves vying for a Group of 6 College Football Playoff spot.
The Player to Watch
Tennessee DL Xavier Gilliam
Game-wrecking defensive linemen have the power to alter football games like few other positions can. Right now, there’s no more impactful interior defensive lineman in college football than Tennessee’s Xavier Gilliam.
Gilliam has created 44 Havoc Plays through seven games, with most of his damage coming around the line of scrimmage in the A gaps.
The Volunteers’ defense has been one of the best in college football this season, and Gilliam is a big reason why. If he keeps this up, Tennessee could find itself knocking on the door of the College Football Playoff by season’s end.
