Teddy vs. Munchie by the numbers

 As we gear up for Friday’s big showdown between Louisville and Cincinnati, one of the more tantalizing side issues is the statement by Bearcat quarterback Munchie Legaux that he is better than UofL’s Teddy Bridgewater. For those who missed it, here is the exchange, including Munchie’s exact quote:

Reporter: Do you think you are similar players at all (in reference to Bridgewater)?

Munchie: I’m better.

Reporter: You’re better?

Munchie: I’m better.

So not only did Legaux say it once in response to a question that did not lead him into that answer, he repeated himself very clearly. Before getting into whether or not Legaux is better than Bridgewater, let’s examine both players’ numbers.

                                                                Teddy Bridgewater                         Munchie Legaux

Completions/attempts                  138/188 (73.4 %)                               96/180 (53.3 %)

Yards                                                     1,694                                                     1,435

Yards per completion                     9.0                                                          8.0

Touchdown passes                         11                                                           12

Interceptions                                     3                                                              5

QB rating                                             165.2                                                     136.7

On third down                                   35/51, 498 yards, 166.1 rtg            27/50, 424 yards, 151.6 rtg

Rushing yards                                    82 yards (42 attempts)                   264 yards (44 attempts)

There are obviously a lot more specified statistics we bring up, but I believe these are the most relevant numbers when talking about quarterbacks. As we all know, statistics can be manipulate many ways to prove various points, but in terms of the numbers, Munchie Legaux cannot back up his statement outside of pure belief in himself and abilities, which I have no problem with by the way. If I’m a UC fan, I want my quarterback believing he is the best.

However, when it comes to comparing the players, I believe Teddy Bridgewater is the superior player, and is without question the superior quarterback. I can bring up a ton of stats to show why (although the ones above are compelling enough), but the biggest reason is the clutch gene and Teddy Bridgewater has that. When the Cards fell behind South Florida late, was there serious doubt in anyone’s mind Teddy would march the Cards down the field and put them in position to win?

Not here. In fact, the only thing that worried me after Teddy found Eli Rogers for the go-ahead score was that they did it too quick.

The bottom line is, if it’s “winning time” and I need a quarterback to win the game for me, and I’m given the choice between Bridgewater and Munchie Lagaux, I’ll take Teddy and the victory every time.