Geno Smith vs. Tajh Boyd: Who Would You Rather Have?

by WVUIE97 on Dec 27, 2011 2:16 PM EST in BCS

There's been a lot of opinion tossed around (both here and other places) about how, perhaps, Geno Smith has regressed over the season and since last season. So I thought a comparison of actual statistics for the season and versus the would-have-been-Mountaineer was in order. Let's get to it...

First, here's Geno's numbers over the 2011 season:

Opponent	Attempts	Completions	Yards	TD	INT	R Yards	R TD
Marshall	35	26	249	2	0	7	0
Norfolk St.	34	20	371	4	0	1	0
Maryland	49	36	388	1	1	-11	0
LSU	64	38	463	2	2	5	0
Bowling Green	30	18	238	3	0	4	0
Connecticut	45	27	450	4	0	-19	0
Syracuse	41	24	338	2	2	-34	0
Rutgers	31	20	218	2	0	-9	1
Louisville	44	31	410	3	0	-8	0
Cincinnati	43	29	372	1	0	-20	0
Pitt	31	22	244	1	0	5	0
South Florida	35	23	237	0	2	20	0

Now, let's see how this trends graphically:

Geno_stats_medium

I know this isn't the easiest to see (CLICK HERE for a larger version), but, while you can see the yardage numbers fluctuate a good deal, there is a trend downward, but only slightly. Plus, some of his best statistical games were losses.

Let's compare the two signal callers now (for the purpose of this, we'll only look at this years numbers, since it's the only real full year of action for Boyd):

	Attempts	Completions	Yards	TD	INT	R Yards	R TD
Geno Smith	483	314	3978	25	7	-59	1
Tajh Boyd	453	274	3578	31	10	186	5

The numbers are fairly comparable, with Geno edging out Boyd by 5% in the completion percentage and Boyd getting the nod with 6 more TDs, but with an extra game.

But, probably the most glaring stat that I really didn't cover here is Geno's TD/INT numbers comparing 2010 to 2011. They are all but identical: 24/7 in 2010 and 25/7 in 2011. His yardage and attempts have gone way up but the arguably most important numbers are the same in the Holgorsen's new system as they were in Mullenball. Some will argue that Geno (in the words of Yoda) has to "unlearn what he has learned" under Mullen in order for him to flourish in Holgorsen's system. Thankfully he still has another off-season and season to progress. That said, if you could choose between these two quarterbacks to lead the Mountaineers in the Orange Bowl, based on game presence, leadership and statistics (disregard Boyd's commitment/de-commitment from WVU), who are you taking? My money is still on Geno.

Poll

Based on game presence, leadership and statistics (disregard Boyd's commitment/de-commitment from WVU), who are you taking?

Geno Smith

228 votes

Tajh Boyd

81 votes

309 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Give me Geno

Tajh is no slouch, though. Frankly, both of them could end up as solid QBs at the next level, too.

It's like saying you dislike Don Frye's mustache, which itself is the equivalent of spitting on the Constitution. - Anthony Pace

by Jonathan. on Dec 27, 2011 2:47 PM EST reply actions

Yardage wise Geno kept pace all through the season.

It’s that the big play was down at the end and people thought he was regressing.

I think Geno will be awesome next year and might even have a shot at a trip to NYC to get that beast of a Trophy.

I’ll take Geno.

by TCfromDubVee on Dec 27, 2011 3:02 PM EST reply actions

he would have had a chance had Barkley not stayed

He’s going to have to lead us to an undefeated season to get even a chance at going to NYC. With Barkley, Ball, and guys like Lattimore and Watkins lurking, it will be very hard.

by Dwalk1217 on Dec 28, 2011 12:37 AM EST up reply actions

Plus he's going to be perceived as a "system quarterback."

Guys like Case Keenum and Brandon Weedon had great years statistically, but didn’t get a sniff at NYC because of the systems in which they play. To make it as a system quarterback, Geno would have to have an undefeated season, an absurd YPA, and obscene numbers across the board.

www.smokingmusket.com
@CountryRoadsWV

by Country Roads on Dec 28, 2011 7:29 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, But Couldn't You Say

that RG3 was a system guy?

Now is the time boys to make a big noise.
No matter what the people say,
For there is naught to fear, the gang's all here,
So hail West Virginia, hail.

by JP Fanshawe on Dec 29, 2011 12:03 AM EST up reply actions

Eh

Maybe, but I’m taking RG3 over Andrew Luck in a draft and that’s not a joke. The Cam Newton QB is the wave of the future and RG3 is phenomenal in that mold.

New WVU Blog - Mountaineer Pride

by TheBulterDiditWVU on Dec 29, 2011 1:08 AM EST up reply actions

Comparing RG3 and Geno

RG3:
267 369 3998 72.4 10.84 87 36 6 23 192.3

Geno:
314 483 3978 65.0 8.24 84 25 7 26 148.4

When you factor in that RG3 threw it about 10 times less per game than Geno did but for more yards and that he ran for 644 yards and 9 TD, I would say that no, RG3 is not a system quarterback. At least not in the sense that Geno is, or is perceived to be.

www.smokingmusket.com
@CountryRoadsWV

by Country Roads on Dec 29, 2011 7:46 AM EST up reply actions

Tajh

Tajh is a much better runner, has 2 more years of eligibility, and put up comparable numbers to Geno in his first year as a starter.

by The 25314 on Dec 28, 2011 10:16 AM EST reply actions

TAJH

by OrangeHallucinations on Dec 29, 2011 12:54 PM EST reply actions

Geno as a runner

I was under the impression that Geno was a pretty effective runner, but his numbers look far more like those of a pocket passer. Can he/will he still hurt you with his legs if given the opportunity, or is he more likely to take a sack/throw it away than scramble for a few extra yards?

Great site guys and I’m looking forward to some great tailgating down in Miami and an even better game to follow.

by PenthouseTiger on Dec 29, 2011 2:03 PM EST reply actions

Geno really only runs when pressured. And he has to be pressured a lot.

I wish he’d run more, since he’s really athletic.

It's like saying you dislike Don Frye's mustache, which itself is the equivalent of spitting on the Constitution. - Anthony Pace

by Jonathan. on Dec 29, 2011 5:35 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for your input

I would guess that is based on the AirRaid system that y’all run, which probably doesn’t have many called QB run plays.

Tajh has a run option on several of our passing plays, where he’s got a primary and usually a secondary target, but if they’re covered his 3rd checkdown is himself, which is where a good many of his rushing yards, particularly late in the season came from.

by PenthouseTiger on Dec 30, 2011 10:50 AM EST up reply actions

Depends on what you want

If you want a passer you take geno. If you want a play maker you take tajh. Look Geno eat up the team with two all-american corners. Geno would get the nod if he would run but he doesnt so that gives Tajh a nod. Plus Watkins helped Tajh alot. I would take Watkins and another QB. :)

by Hillboy WV on Jan 1, 2012 9:23 AM EST reply actions