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VARSITY NUMBERS: Your team on third down

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A look at the teams that are really good on third downs, not necessarily the ones who do the dirty work on first and second downs.

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In today's Varsity Numbers, I take a look at the teams that are really good on third downs, not necessarily the ones who do the dirty work on first and second downs. In it, I reference the below table. It is a look at teams' success rates on third-and-a given distance. A lot of teams are uniformly good or bad, but some, like Nebraska and Washington State, are unique in their down-and-distance capabilities.

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >10 3rd
Pct.
Rk Adj. 3rd
Pct.
Rk
Marshall 69.2% 88.9% 37.5% 42.9% 58.8% 83.3% 61.5% 100.0% 66.7% 66.7% 21.1% 57.5% 3 62.5% 1
Oklahoma St. 80.0% 83.3% 100.0% 77.8% 33.3% 50.0% 66.7% 0.0% 50.0% 66.7% 25.0% 59.6% 1 59.2% 2
Texas Tech 90.0% 66.7% 100.0% 57.1% 66.7% 60.0% 20.0% 50.0% 33.3% 57.1% 27.3% 57.5% 4 57.6% 3
Louisville 75.0% 83.3% 66.7% 50.0% 25.0% 75.0% 87.5% 42.9% 40.0% 100.0% 22.2% 55.9% 6 57.1% 4
Texas 72.7% 83.3% 100.0% 33.3% 83.3% 50.0% 62.5% 50.0% 25.0% 0.0% 44.4% 58.1% 2 55.7% 5
Purdue 50.0% 85.7% 57.1% 71.4% 50.0% 25.0% 66.7% 40.0% 80.0% 42.9% 30.8% 51.9% 13 55.6% 6
UL-Monroe 60.0% 69.2% 60.0% 100.0% 62.5% 66.7% 40.0% 42.9% 60.0% 16.7% 28.6% 52.2% 12 55.6% 7
Kansas St. 80.0% 100.0% 100.0% 40.0% 66.7% 57.1% 50.0% 0.0% 100.0% 0.0% 37.5% 54.0% 7 54.5% 8
Clemson 92.9% 63.6% 38.5% 42.9% 62.5% 25.0% 83.3% 42.9% 50.0% 50.0% 33.3% 54.0% 7 54.3% 9
Oklahoma 66.7% 66.7% 25.0% 40.0% 66.7% 50.0% 80.0% 0.0% 60.0% 66.7% 27.3% 48.0% 27 53.1% 10
San Jose St. 57.1% 85.7% 87.5% 25.0% 0.0% 25.0% 62.5% 50.0% 100.0% 33.3% 35.7% 50.7% 17 52.4% 11
Pittsburgh 75.0% 50.0% 42.9% 42.9% 50.0% 57.1% 33.3% 100.0% 66.7% 100.0% 19.0% 45.3% 42 52.2% 12
Toledo 57.1% 62.5% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 41.7% 33.3% 100.0% 75.0% 25.0% 27.8% 46.0% 34 52.1% 13
Nevada 100.0% 54.5% 75.0% 42.9% 50.0% 50.0% 33.3% 66.7% 60.0% 44.4% 10.0% 51.7% 14 52.1% 14
Texas A&M 60.0% 50.0% 50.0% 75.0% 40.0% 57.1% 33.3% 80.0% 50.0% 50.0% 23.1% 49.3% 22 51.8% 15
Oregon 80.0% 60.0% 77.8% 66.7% 50.0% 40.0% 37.5% 60.0% 100.0% 20.0% 21.7% 49.5% 21 51.3% 16
Georgia 100.0% 87.5% 33.3% 0.0% 83.3% 50.0% 33.3% 33.3% 75.0% 50.0% 13.6% 46.2% 33 50.6% 17
Michigan 88.9% 66.7% 66.7% 75.0% 33.3% 40.0% 66.7% 40.0% 40.0% 33.3% 21.4% 51.5% 15 50.5% 18
Air Force 83.3% 80.0% 50.0% 77.8% 16.7% 33.3% 100.0% 25.0% 33.3% 100.0% 22.2% 56.2% 5 50.4% 19
Western Michigan 75.0% 50.0% 87.5% 50.0% 50.0% 75.0% 50.0% 20.0% 75.0% 21.4% 20.0% 47.9% 29 49.9% 20
Arizona 88.9% 46.2% 37.5% 50.0% 66.7% 75.0% 42.9% 16.7% 50.0% 50.0% 17.6% 45.7% 39 49.4% 21
Middle Tennessee 66.7% 66.7% 66.7% 83.3% 75.0% 37.5% 25.0% 50.0% 0.0% 60.0% 12.5% 52.5% 11 48.6% 22
Florida St. 75.0% 40.0% 50.0% 75.0% 33.3% 50.0% 75.0% 80.0% 16.7% 28.6% 23.1% 43.7% 48 48.5% 23
Northwestern 80.0% 92.3% 41.7% 100.0% 77.8% 36.4% 16.7% 33.3% 0.0% 40.0% 26.7% 51.1% 16 48.0% 24
Utah St. 46.2% 62.5% 40.0% 66.7% 42.9% 57.1% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 25.0% 15.8% 41.1% 64 47.2% 25
Maryland 100.0% 50.0% 75.0% 25.0% 100.0% 37.5% 14.3% 66.7% 33.3% 25.0% 22.7% 36.1% 94 47.1% 26
West Virginia 77.8% 100.0% 100.0% 66.7% 66.7% 25.0% 33.3% 50.0% 0.0% 0.0% 27.3% 53.4% 9 47.0% 27
Ohio 83.3% 45.5% 28.6% 41.7% 80.0% 37.5% 37.5% 33.3% 37.5% 55.6% 25.0% 48.0% 27 46.6% 28
Baylor 75.0% 44.4% 40.0% 66.7% 50.0% 25.0% 20.0% 80.0% 0.0% 60.0% 33.3% 46.0% 34 46.6% 29
Syracuse 87.5% 66.7% 54.5% 66.7% 100.0% 28.6% 66.7% 66.7% 0.0% 11.1% 8.3% 47.5% 31 46.6% 30
Tennessee 55.6% 100.0% 62.5% 50.0% 37.5% 55.6% 0.0% 37.5% 50.0% 50.0% 8.3% 42.9% 50 46.3% 31
San Diego St. 100.0% 70.0% 72.7% 44.4% 57.1% 66.7% 0.0% 0.0% 50.0% 33.3% 21.4% 45.8% 38 46.3% 32
Washington St. 100.0% 66.7% 25.0% 28.6% 44.4% 50.0% 18.2% 83.3% 100.0% 30.8% 19.2% 36.3% 92 46.0% 33
Miami 60.0% 54.5% 71.4% 66.7% 12.5% 28.6% 57.1% 75.0% 14.3% 37.5% 25.0% 45.1% 43 45.8% 34
South Carolina 70.0% 57.1% 25.0% 25.0% 66.7% 55.6% 80.0% 50.0% 40.0% 40.0% 0.0% 45.5% 40 45.7% 35
Alabama 75.0% 66.7% 66.7% 57.1% 40.0% 66.7% 0.0% 0.0% 50.0% 40.0% 25.0% 49.2% 23 45.4% 36
Rutgers 71.4% 60.0% 0.0% 40.0% 60.0% 50.0% 20.0% 50.0% 50.0% 40.0% 17.6% 39.2% 82 45.3% 37
Boise St. 71.4% 0.0% 66.7% 33.3% 60.0% 42.9% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 33.3% 8.3% 42.2% 56 45.3% 38
Northern Illinois 91.7% 60.0% 42.9% 40.0% 50.0% 16.7% 22.2% 77.8% 33.3% 66.7% 20.0% 48.8% 25 45.2% 39
North Carolina 78.6% 100.0% 71.4% 60.0% 16.7% 60.0% 42.9% 40.0% 20.0% 12.5% 21.1% 46.0% 36 45.1% 40
Central Michigan 80.0% 60.0% 16.7% 60.0% 75.0% 33.3% 50.0% 40.0% 25.0% 33.3% 18.2% 41.3% 62 44.8% 41
Troy 81.8% 64.3% 40.0% 30.0% 100.0% 33.3% 50.0% 50.0% 0.0% 50.0% 12.5% 50.6% 18 44.7% 42
Miami-OH 33.3% 50.0% 42.9% 44.4% 33.3% 60.0% 60.0% 0.0% 50.0% 33.3% 30.0% 41.9% 58 44.6% 43
Ole Miss 81.8% 70.0% 50.0% 63.6% 85.7% 80.0% 42.9% 0.0% 20.0% 0.0% 23.5% 50.0% 19 44.4% 44
Central Florida 66.7% 75.0% 71.4% 66.7% 50.0% 100.0% 33.3% 33.3% 16.7% 0.0% 20.0% 46.4% 32 44.2% 45
Massachusetts 77.8% 66.7% 66.7% 75.0% 25.0% 33.3% 55.6% 30.0% 12.5% 21.4% 30.4% 39.8% 75 44.1% 46
New Mexico St. 80.0% 85.7% 60.0% 55.6% 20.0% 50.0% 33.3% 33.3% 0.0% 33.3% 23.8% 40.0% 71 43.7% 47
Cincinnati 100.0% 0.0% 33.3% 50.0% 50.0% 25.0% 50.0% 0.0% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 48.2% 26 43.6% 48
UL-Lafayette 100.0% 62.5% 42.9% 25.0% 33.3% 66.7% 12.5% 0.0% 50.0% 37.5% 57.1% 40.3% 69 43.1% 49
Virginia Tech 66.7% 60.0% 50.0% 44.4% 42.9% 40.0% 0.0% 40.0% 42.9% 28.6% 28.6% 40.0% 71 42.7% 50
BYU 84.6% 40.0% 57.1% 54.5% 44.4% 57.1% 42.9% 28.6% 33.3% 33.3% 11.8% 44.2% 46 42.7% 51
Kentucky 70.0% 66.7% 42.9% 50.0% 42.9% 33.3% 28.6% 62.5% 20.0% 30.0% 29.4% 42.4% 55 42.5% 52
UNLV 92.3% 42.9% 64.3% 40.0% 58.3% 50.0% 55.6% 50.0% 16.7% 18.2% 9.1% 47.7% 30 42.4% 53
Texas St. 75.0% 60.0% 33.3% 66.7% 28.6% 100.0% 25.0% 71.4% 0.0% 38.5% 8.3% 39.7% 78 42.4% 54
Washington 83.3% 83.3% 100.0% 42.9% 75.0% 57.1% 0.0% 14.3% 16.7% 37.5% 6.7% 39.5% 80 42.3% 55
South Florida 93.3% 57.1% 28.6% 50.0% 33.3% 50.0% 18.2% 42.9% 25.0% 60.0% 23.1% 46.0% 36 42.3% 56
Ohio St. 100.0% 66.7% 44.4% 42.9% 83.3% 50.0% 25.0% 25.0% 50.0% 20.0% 11.1% 44.9% 44 42.2% 57
N.C. St. 72.7% 50.0% 66.7% 57.1% 66.7% 28.6% 33.3% 44.4% 25.0% 18.2% 20.0% 39.8% 76 42.1% 58
Arizona St. 60.0% 0.0% 77.8% 50.0% 22.2% 80.0% 16.7% 40.0% 33.3% 66.7% 11.1% 41.2% 63 42.1% 59
Houston 83.3% 66.7% 66.7% 44.4% 33.3% 25.0% 40.0% 22.2% 50.0% 0.0% 33.3% 42.5% 53 42.1% 60
Penn St. 82.4% 85.7% 50.0% 22.2% 50.0% 30.0% 37.5% 14.3% 66.7% 33.3% 18.2% 45.5% 40 41.7% 61
Virginia 71.4% 37.5% 62.5% 28.6% 42.9% 50.0% 33.3% 40.0% 66.7% 0.0% 23.8% 40.2% 70 41.7% 62
Ball St. 66.7% 36.4% 45.5% 60.0% 50.0% 61.5% 0.0% 53.8% 0.0% 50.0% 20.0% 43.6% 49 41.6% 63
Akron 58.3% 75.0% 42.9% 50.0% 50.0% 33.3% 36.4% 33.3% 37.5% 28.6% 18.2% 38.1% 85 41.6% 64
East Carolina 77.8% 42.9% 33.3% 57.1% 27.3% 57.1% 20.0% 50.0% 40.0% 37.5% 13.3% 38.2% 84 41.3% 65
Western Kentucky 100.0% 57.1% 80.0% 100.0% 33.3% 50.0% 41.7% 0.0% 33.3% 0.0% 14.3% 49.2% 23 40.6% 66
Notre Dame 100.0% 80.0% 57.1% 16.7% 60.0% 28.6% 25.0% 20.0% 33.3% 40.0% 11.1% 42.9% 50 40.5% 67
Mississippi St. 72.7% 12.5% 40.0% 33.3% 50.0% 60.0% 0.0% 40.0% 25.0% 42.9% 27.3% 41.4% 61 40.2% 68
Oregon St. 77.8% 66.7% 50.0% 50.0% 33.3% 16.7% 33.3% 42.9% 25.0% 100.0% 14.3% 39.7% 78 40.0% 69
New Mexico 100.0% 50.0% 50.0% 66.7% 42.9% 0.0% 50.0% 20.0% 42.9% 33.3% 0.0% 40.6% 65 39.4% 70
Florida Atlantic 63.6% 100.0% 85.7% 44.4% 25.0% 22.2% 33.3% 33.3% 20.0% 22.2% 22.2% 40.5% 67 39.3% 71
Rice 90.9% 62.5% 44.4% 42.9% 50.0% 0.0% 11.1% 33.3% 60.0% 40.0% 12.5% 39.8% 76 39.2% 72
TCU 100.0% 57.1% 50.0% 0.0% 60.0% 36.4% 75.0% 0.0% 33.3% 42.9% 7.7% 36.4% 91 39.0% 73
Minnesota 75.0% 66.7% 55.6% 40.0% 22.2% 42.9% 33.3% 20.0% 66.7% 33.3% 11.1% 42.5% 54 38.7% 74
Army 83.3% 80.0% 40.0% 70.0% 0.0% 33.3% 71.4% 28.6% 0.0% 0.0% 37.5% 52.8% 10 38.5% 75
Georgia Tech 90.9% 57.1% 83.3% 50.0% 42.9% 42.9% 0.0% 0.0% 25.0% 25.0% 25.0% 44.9% 44 38.4% 76
Florida 60.0% 37.5% 100.0% 66.7% 25.0% 33.3% 44.4% 33.3% 0.0% 25.0% 16.7% 41.7% 59 38.1% 77
Louisiana Tech 83.3% 100.0% 60.0% 14.3% 100.0% 50.0% 0.0% 0.0% 50.0% 25.0% 5.9% 44.1% 47 38.0% 78
Connecticut 77.8% 41.7% 40.0% 25.0% 71.4% 12.5% 57.1% 20.0% 50.0% 20.0% 13.3% 37.9% 87 37.8% 79
SMU 75.0% 33.3% 25.0% 100.0% 28.6% 71.4% 33.3% 25.0% 0.0% 25.0% 20.0% 35.7% 97 37.5% 80
Hawaii 80.0% 40.0% 40.0% 40.0% 0.0% 42.9% 40.0% 50.0% 33.3% 33.3% 5.0% 28.4% 119 36.9% 81
UTSA 66.7% 66.7% 0.0% 25.0% 50.0% 0.0% 50.0% 40.0% 100.0% 50.0% 0.0% 41.7% 59 36.7% 82
Tulane 80.0% 60.0% 100.0% 20.0% 16.7% 28.6% 25.0% 36.4% 25.0% 42.9% 12.5% 30.1% 115 36.7% 83
Arkansas St. 83.3% 50.0% 66.7% 71.4% 14.3% 50.0% 20.0% 0.0% 25.0% 9.1% 26.7% 40.0% 71 36.6% 84
Tulsa 69.2% 100.0% 28.6% 40.0% 80.0% 27.3% 20.0% 37.5% 16.7% 23.1% 14.3% 40.0% 71 36.6% 85
California 75.0% 33.3% 100.0% 50.0% 60.0% 28.6% 40.0% 33.3% 0.0% 25.0% 4.2% 33.3% 105 36.3% 86
Michigan St. 81.8% 50.0% 57.1% 33.3% 66.7% 62.5% 11.1% 16.7% 16.7% 28.6% 11.8% 38.4% 83 36.3% 87
Iowa St. 87.5% 83.3% 33.3% 50.0% 50.0% 0.0% 14.3% 50.0% 33.3% 16.7% 8.3% 39.5% 80 36.3% 88
LSU 88.9% 72.7% 33.3% 25.0% 33.3% 33.3% 25.0% 33.3% 100.0% 20.0% 15.4% 40.5% 68 36.2% 89
Temple 100.0% 57.1% 33.3% 33.3% 28.6% 60.0% 50.0% 0.0% 33.3% 0.0% 20.0% 37.5% 88 36.1% 90
Colorado St. 83.3% 50.0% 50.0% 71.4% 28.6% 14.3% 42.9% 37.5% 0.0% 37.5% 5.9% 35.7% 97 36.0% 91
USC 50.0% 25.0% 40.0% 40.0% 0.0% 57.1% 66.7% 33.3% 0.0% 42.9% 21.4% 36.1% 95 36.0% 92
UAB 100.0% 0.0% 33.3% 57.1% 40.0% 0.0% 0.0% 37.5% 57.1% 30.0% 27.8% 42.9% 50 35.9% 93
Fresno St. 85.7% 75.0% 66.7% 37.5% 33.3% 18.2% 28.6% 54.5% 20.0% 20.0% 0.0% 37.0% 89 35.8% 94
Wake Forest 58.3% 40.0% 50.0% 57.1% 55.6% 33.3% 20.0% 11.1% 25.0% 25.0% 17.6% 33.7% 104 35.2% 95
Kent St. 81.8% 50.0% 55.6% 20.0% 62.5% 75.0% 50.0% 16.7% 0.0% 25.0% 0.0% 42.2% 57 34.8% 96
Indiana 87.5% 57.1% 70.0% 33.3% 25.0% 40.0% 12.5% 0.0% 25.0% 25.0% 20.0% 38.1% 86 34.7% 97
Bowling Green 71.4% 37.5% 20.0% 42.9% 50.0% 50.0% 25.0% 16.7% 33.3% 6.7% 33.3% 32.9% 108 34.5% 98
Stanford 72.7% 60.0% 20.0% 22.2% 37.5% 20.0% 11.1% 50.0% 20.0% 33.3% 28.6% 35.2% 99 34.2% 99
Boston College 28.6% 50.0% 83.3% 40.0% 20.0% 16.7% 50.0% 25.0% 25.0% 9.1% 44.4% 33.3% 105 34.2% 100
Florida International 50.0% 50.0% 33.3% 50.0% 55.6% 16.7% 66.7% 9.1% 0.0% 42.9% 13.6% 31.9% 109 34.1% 101
Utah 75.0% 66.7% 25.0% 66.7% 11.1% 33.3% 33.3% 25.0% 0.0% 33.3% 11.8% 29.3% 117 33.0% 102
UCLA 83.3% 44.4% 80.0% 46.2% 16.7% 25.0% 20.0% 0.0% 16.7% 28.6% 19.0% 36.2% 93 32.2% 103
Illinois 100.0% 0.0% 50.0% 50.0% 66.7% 40.0% 28.6% 25.0% 9.1% 0.0% 14.3% 35.9% 96 32.1% 104
Memphis 62.5% 85.7% 50.0% 50.0% 16.7% 0.0% 33.3% 0.0% 50.0% 16.7% 13.3% 34.3% 102 31.8% 105
Iowa 88.9% 40.0% 42.9% 85.7% 20.0% 20.0% 40.0% 0.0% 50.0% 0.0% 10.0% 40.6% 65 31.6% 106
Nebraska 93.3% 85.7% 75.0% 37.5% 0.0% 40.0% 25.0% 25.0% 0.0% 15.4% 50.0% 19 31.6% 107
Idaho 87.5% 60.0% 40.0% 42.9% 10.0% 40.0% 37.5% 22.2% 16.7% 14.3% 6.3% 30.8% 114 31.1% 108
Navy 100.0% 57.1% 80.0% 60.0% 37.5% 0.0% 20.0% 33.3% 25.0% 0.0% 0.0% 33.3% 105 31.0% 109
Kansas 66.7% 71.4% 50.0% 14.3% 33.3% 20.0% 100.0% 22.2% 20.0% 18.2% 9.1% 31.5% 111 30.9% 110
Missouri 60.0% 45.5% 37.5% 22.2% 28.6% 50.0% 50.0% 20.0% 11.1% 18.2% 14.3% 30.1% 116 30.8% 111
Duke 44.4% 71.4% 25.0% 58.3% 37.5% 11.1% 25.0% 16.7% 22.2% 27.8% 34.4% 100 30.7% 112
Wyoming 50.0% 42.9% 42.9% 20.0% 25.0% 50.0% 57.1% 33.3% 0.0% 33.3% 0.0% 31.8% 110 30.3% 113
Southern Miss 77.8% 25.0% 0.0% 50.0% 33.3% 25.0% 50.0% 0.0% 50.0% 14.3% 12.5% 34.3% 101 29.9% 114
North Texas 54.5% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 33.3% 0.0% 16.7% 33.3% 20.0% 22.2% 5.9% 31.4% 112 29.6% 115
Arkansas 66.7% 50.0% 100.0% 25.0% 44.4% 0.0% 20.0% 25.0% 0.0% 20.0% 18.8% 31.3% 113 29.0% 116
South Alabama 22.2% 0.0% 60.0% 50.0% 33.3% 37.5% 20.0% 0.0% 40.0% 28.6% 9.1% 27.8% 122 28.8% 117
UTEP 71.4% 0.0% 44.4% 40.0% 50.0% 25.0% 18.2% 33.3% 0.0% 14.3% 15.8% 28.1% 121 28.3% 118
Buffalo 76.9% 66.7% 75.0% 0.0% 44.4% 40.0% 28.6% 20.0% 0.0% 14.3% 0.0% 36.8% 90 27.8% 119
Vanderbilt 75.0% 100.0% 33.3% 33.3% 14.3% 25.0% 33.3% 25.0% 14.3% 11.1% 7.7% 25.0% 123 27.1% 120
Colorado 88.9% 0.0% 33.3% 42.9% 57.1% 14.3% 0.0% 0.0% 42.9% 0.0% 25.0% 33.8% 103 26.3% 121
Auburn 100.0% 25.0% 50.0% 50.0% 66.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 80.0% 0.0% 4.8% 29.0% 118 25.5% 122
Wisconsin 50.0% 50.0% 28.6% 40.0% 20.0% 0.0% 11.1% 0.0% 60.0% 33.3% 6.3% 28.2% 120 23.8% 123
Eastern Michigan 0.0% 50.0% 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% 0.0% 60.0% 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% 0.0% 17.7% 124 16.2% 124