QB Comparison: a thread taking a look at two different throws against Kentucky. To start, we need to unfortunately revisit the second pick-6 and clarify what's going on here. Here are the routes/progression drawn up below.

So, either 'Go' route is the first read on the progression. If the QB feels that he has an advantage based on pre-snap alignment, he can take the shot. If that's not there, work to the Deep In #2. If that's not there, check the ball down to the RB.

Here's the coverage UK is playing against us. It's pretty much the most basic coverage in football - Cover 3. They are rotating the safety down away from the passing strength, so def. guys will call this something different. We'll be on offense today, so just call it Cover 3.

I tried to indicate with the dashed line that the safety is dropping. So it looks like 2-high, and he drops down to create the 1-high coverage. Now, I saw some speculation on this play that JG could have gone outside here. This is partially true, but I think needs clearing up.

He could go outside to his 1 read, but the read would be Palmer at the bottom, not Keyton at the top. Why? Because the safety on Palmer's side dropped. The middle of the field safety is on almost the opposite hash, and couldn't help as easily to double.

Also, Palmer's corner is closer in coverage at about 4 yards vs. Keyton's who is playing off. Palmer has a better chance to beat his corner. That would have been read #1. But it was covered really well! JG was right to go to his #2 read on the progression.

What he didn't do well is kept progressing! He should have never under any circumstance thrown to #2. There was a safety over the top and an LB underneath. Like Coach Pruitt said, check down to #3. There is no one within 6 yards of Eric Gray. This would be a nice gain.

Here is the full clip to put it all together, not that you want to see it again. I don't think it shows it very well, but I can promise you the coverage on Palmer was sound by the corner. Should be a checkdown - take what they're giving us.

So, where does the comparison come in? Because Bailey's one completion of the game to Wideman was the exact same play, and exact same coverage, as the second pick-6.

Our formation is slightly different, because our pass protection is slightly different - but it's still 7-man protection. It's important to see why this was easier for HB.
1. The safety is already rolled down giving him an easier pre-snap picture.
2. The corner is fully pressed.

Here is the throw from HB for you to put it all together. I think it's probably a better catch, but credit to HB for putting it where only his WR could catch it.

So why share all of this?
1.) I think it helps demonstrate what we need from the QB. The calls are good! Take what the defense gives us and let our athletes make plays.
2.) The coverage was a lot friendlier to HB vs. JG. Just because he had one nice throw doesn't = savior.