Crunching the numbers: Big Ten quarterbacks

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Everyday stats — like passing yards and TDs — don’t tell the complete story of a quarterback. So, with the help of ESPN Stats & Info, we’re trying to dig a little deeper.

Who’s the Big Ten’s best signal-caller in the fourth quarter? Who’s the best in the red zone? And who doesn’t mind throwing against the blitz? In this week’s latest “Crunching the numbers” installment, we discovered the best and worst returning B1G quarterbacks in each of those categories. The only qualifier? Each QB needed at least 100 pass attempts last season.

Once again, just like last week, the statistics aren’t perfect here. Variables like receiver ability and opposing defenses aren’t taken into account, so some numbers might appear inflated or deflated. Regardless, it’s still an interesting look at who was most effective on paper in 2015 — and who might surprise in 2016.

Who’s the Big Ten’s best QB in the face of the blitz?

The best: Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett (79.7 QBR)

Barrett wasn’t just the best in the conference, he was one of the most accurate passers vs. the blitz in the nation. He completed 66.7 percent of such passes, and only Stanford’s Kevin Hogan boasted a higher completion rate (68.3) in the Power 5. Barrett turned the ball over just once when defenders were set loose — on an interception vs. Illinois — but the Buckeyes still won that game handily, 28-3. Overall, Barrett finished 30-of-45 in blitz situations for 365 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. He was the clear No. 1.

The runner-up: Minnesota QB Mitch Leidner (72.4 QBR)

Note to Big Ten defenses: Don’t blitz against Leidner. He was one of the rare quarterbacks who actually fared better against the blitz. His QBR when there was no blitz? A slightly below-average 52.1. Leidner was consistently good here, with the only real exceptions coming in games against top-15 defenses of …

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