Another Boeckman conundrum...

Ran across this stat on espn.com's Big Ten blog.

The popularity of the spread offense has dramatically changed the QB spot in the Big Ten, but big numbers don't always correlate to the best players, and quarterbacks are heavily judged on their team's performance.

Ohio State's Todd Boeckman, for example, ranked 10th in the league in passing average (182.5 ypg) but led in passing efficiency (148.9 rating) and took his team further than any other signal caller (the BCS title game).

Hmmmm...

Strange. Tenth in average yards per game? Really? I would not have guessed that at all.

Totally unrelated, I find it incredible that at one point last season Todd Boeckman did a piece for ESPN comparing him to previous Ohio State Heisman Trophy winners while he was being considered for that same award. Then again, who would have thought Troy Smith would have pulled down college football's most prestigious honor after his junior year?

I'm not sure specifically what "10th most yards-per-game" but "most efficient" QB in the Big Ten says about Todd Boeckman. Maybe it says that he wasn't asked to do much since the Buckeyes were almost always ahead against inferior competition last season.

Also, we should consider that the top four passers in the conference (I'm assuming based on yards-per-game, the writer doesn't specify) were on teams that finished in the bottom half of the standings. Perhaps it's as simple as "your team stinks so you must pass more because you're behind.

Additionally from espn.com which ranks Boeckman the #2 QB in the conference behind Indiana's Kellen Lewis:

2. Todd Boeckman, Sr., Ohio State --If Boeckman trims his interceptions total, he'll likely vault to the top of the list. After waiting his turn, the 24-year-old helped Ohio State return to the BCS title game, completing 63.8 percent of his passes for 25 touchdowns with 14 interceptions. He ranked 13th nationally in pass efficiency and seems ready for a stellar senior season, though he might have to share time with Terrelle Pryor.

As always, I could be wrong. However, until someone convinces me otherwise, I will remain adamant that the key to Ohio State's 2008 season is somewhere between Todd Boeckman's ears. I believe he has the physical tools to become an elite QB, it's all about making it happen in the moment.

My guess is TB will be one of the most scrutinized college football players of the 2008 season.