BO LEVI #11 DIV-1 PASSING LEADERS

[jtstang]

Ok, for the sake of argument, let's give you Rice. Would Willis have done better than Mitchell did against Texas State: 24-of-37 for 370 yards and 5 touchdowns? I'd submit that there were five to seven throws Willis couldn't have made because he doesn't have the same arm strength or accuracy.

Clearly Mitchell played a better game against D-2 SWTSU than Rice, but before we go extolling the greatness and accuracy of his golden arm, in the interest of reality, let's acknowledge a bunch of great adjustments to the ball by his receivers on Saturday night.

[ponyboy]

I'm not saying he's the next coming of Unitas. I am saying two things:

1) He's played remarkably well compared to how most everybody on here, including me, thought he would; and

2) There is no reason to believe Willis would have done better.

[smu diamond m]

I don't think he's disagreeing...

[ponyboy]

Most regions have this tradition where they say, "Hey ponyboy, you're right" when such occasions present themselves.

[SmooBoy]

Hey ponyboy, you're right.

[jtstang]

I'm not saying he's the next coming of Unitas. I am saying two things:

1) He's played remarkably well compared to how most everybody on here, including me, thought he would; and

2) There is no reason to believe Willis would have done better.

Okay it's clear that you've come around on Mitchell, nobody can dispute that. However, as to your first statement, I was afraid he'd have trouble in his frosh debut, and he did. I agree he showed improvement in his second game against a d-2 team, but I'd draw the line far short of "played remarkably well" after two games. I look for continued improvement, which may yet lead him to be a quality quarterback, even as a freshman.

As to your second statement, you've already stated the converse, that there is reason to believe that Willis would have done worse:

I'd submit that there were five to seven throws Willis couldn't have made because he doesn't have the same arm strength or accuracy.

I do not agree with this assessment.

[ponyboy]

So you're saying you believe Willis would have done better against both Rice and Texas State?

[pony warrior]

I'll refer to what JJ thinks...obviously Bo Levi was the better QB for his system in the first two games. Now in Bennett's system, last year, JWill was the better choice.

[jtstang]

So you're saying you believe Willis would have done better against both Rice and Texas State?

I said exactly what I meant. It's not unclear.

[SoCal_Pony]

Do you think a JW-led team would have defeated Rice?

I don't...not the way our defense played.

After their first couple of drives, Rice was unstoppable.

[jtstang]

I have no idea. He didn't play. Maybe he would have held on to an early lead, maybe not. Maybe he'd have matched Clement drive-for-drive and avoided the killer int's in the second half. Maybe not. The whole point is he didn't play, so speculating that Mitchell played better than Willis would have is nonsense.

[expony18]

I bet Bartel would have beat RIce

[ponydawg]

Not a fair comparison, he is an ex-nfl player.

[ozfan]

What SMU qb has the best stats this year. (Three have played)

[Stallion]

What I want to know is what makes PonyHomer think Mitchell DID better than what Willis would have done. You offer absolutely nothing to back up your speculation. In fact, Justin DID in an almost identical situation outperform Mitchell's performance against D1AA competition. Baylor's true freshman QB outperformed Mitchell against similar competition as well. Get this-there was no rush, Robinson was running 6-8 yards away from his defender and Sanders couldn't be covered either. Its not a true test-these weren't D1A quality players-he'll get the opportunity to prove himself in the next 2 games against real competition. Details on the most "accurate" passing QB performance in SMU History.

http://74.125.95.104/search?q=cache:HZu ... cd=2&gl=us