Beyond the Stats - Vol. 44

Updated 11/19 by Jeff Haseley, Exclusive for Footballguys.com

Here's something you may not know? The ACC and particularly the University of Miami, is known for producing top players in the NFL. But, take a look at Conference USA. They too can produce some players! More than the SEC and Big 12 combined when it comes to top fantasy producers. Is the rookie 1,000 yard rushing streak in jeopardy? Learn why the odds were in Bill Belichick's favor when going for the controversial 4th and 2 against Indianapolis. What can you expect from Brandon Marshall this week and Just how good is Chris Johnson? All that and more in this week's edition of Beyond the Stats.

Alma Mater vs. Fantasy Success

Which teams and conferences are producing the most stars? It's not exactly what you would expect.

Top 10 Fantasy QB rankings

1 - Aaron Rodgers - California
2 - Peyton Manning - Tennessee
3 - Tom Brady - Michigan
4 - Drew Brees - Purdue
5 - Matt Schaub - Virginia
6 - Philip Rivers - North Carolina State
7 - Tony Romo - Eastern, Illinois
8 - Kurt Warner - Northern Iowa
9 - Ben Roethlisberger - Miami of Ohio
10 - Brett Favre - Southern Mississippi

Conference Breakdown

2 - ACC
2 - Big Ten
1 - SEC
1 - Pac 10
1 - Ohio Valley Conference
1 - Missouri Valley Conference
1 - Mid-American Conference
1 - Conference USA

Top 10 Fantasy RB rankings

1 - Chris Johnson, Eastern Carolina
2 - Maurice Jones-Drew, UCLA
3 - Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
4 - Ray Rice, Rutgers
5 - DeAngelo Williams, Memphis
6 - Michael Turner, Northern Illinois
7 - Thomas Jones, Virginia
8 - Ronnie Brown, Auburn
9 - Cedric Benson, Texas
10 - Joseph Addai, LSU

Conference Breakdown

2 - Conference USA
2 - SEC
2 - Big 12
1 - Pac 10
1 - Big East
1 - Mid-American Conference
1 - ACC

Top 10 Fantasy WR rankings

1 - Reggie Wayne, Miami
2 - Randy Moss, Marshall
3 - Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh
4 - Vincent Jackson, Northern Colorado
5 - Miles Austin, Monmouth
6 - Andre Johnson, Miami
7 - DeSean Jackson, California
8 - Roddy White, UAB
9 - Steve Smith, USC
10 - Brandon Marshall, Central Florida

Conference Breakdown

3 - Conference USA
2 - ACC
2 - Pac 10
1 - Big East
1 - Colorado Football Conference (Div II)
1 - Midwest Conference

Top 10 Fantasy TE rankings

1 - Dallas Clark, Iowa
2 - Vernon Davis, Maryland
3 - Brent Celek, Cincinnati
4 - Owen Daniels, Wisconsin
5 - Antonio Gates, Kent State
6 - Kellen Winslow, Miami
7 - Tony Gonzalez, California
8 - Greg Olsen, Miami
9 - Heath Miller, Virginia
10 - Jeremy Shockey, Miami

Conference Breakdown

5 - ACC
2 - Big Ten
1 - Big East
1 - Pac 10
1 - Mid-American Conference

Conclusion - The ACC, currently reigns supreme with 10 representatives in the Fantasy Top 10 for QBs, RBs, WRs and TEs. The ACC breakdown includes 5 from Miami, 3 from Virginia and one each from NC State and Maryland. Surprisingly Conference USA has a big turnout with six representatives, all from six different schools. The PAC 10 big dog is California, not USC like some might think. California boasts three players in the mix, while USC has just one. Tiny Northern Colorado, is the only Div II school with representation, thanks to Vincent Jackson.

The full breakdown of each conference's representation is shown below.

10 - ACC
6 - Conference USA
5 - Pac 10
4 - Big Ten
3 - Big East
3 - Mid-American
3 - SEC
2 - Big 12
1 - Colorado Football Conference
1 - Midwest Conference
1 - Ohio Valley Conference
1 - Missouri Valley Conference

Rookie RB 1,000 yard rushing streak in jeopardy?

Since 1992, at least one rookie RB has reached 1,000 yards rushing for the season. This year, that streak is in jeopardy. Only Knowshon Moreno is anywhere near the pace needed to reach 1,000 yards.

Current rookie rushing totals entering week 11.

520 yards - Knowshon Moreno, DEN - on pace for 924 yards rushing
395 yards - Chris Wells, ARI
353 yards - LeSean McCoy, PHI
226 yards - Donald Brown, IND
218 yards - Shonn Greene, NYJ
198 yards - Glen Coffee, SF
102 yards - Rashad Jennings, JAC
95 yards - Bernard Scott, CIN

1,000 yard rookie rushers since 1962

Trivia Question of the Week

12 WRs since 1960 have reached 1,000 yards receiving in their rookie season. Only one TE has accomplished the feat. Who is it? (see bottom for answer)

The "What else is new" - Stat of the Week

Peyton Manning is atop the league in at least six different major categories including TD passes (20), completions (249), attempts (357), completion % (69.7), passing yards (2872) and first downs (140)

New Orleans and Cleveland - Miles apart from each other

The Saints have quadrupled the point production of the Cleveland Browns, scoring 332 points, compared to the 78 points the Browns have accumulated.

More on the Saints vs. Browns comparisons...

New Orleans has 6.3 times more TD passes (19) than Cleveland (3)
The Saints as a team have a 64.2 margin on QB rating over the Browns. That just happens to also be the exact QB rating for Tampa Bay this year
The Saints average 211.8 more total yards per game than the Browns

Current turnover ratios after 9 games

+13 - GB
+10 - PHI
+8 - NE
+7 - IND
+6 - NO
+4 - BAL, MIN
+3 - DEN, CIN
+2 - BUF, SD, ATL, NYG
+1 - KC, SF, HOU
0 - TB
-1 - MIA, JAC
-2 - SEA, NYJ
-3 - TEN, PIT, DAL
-4 - ARI
-5 - STL, CHI
-6 - DET, WAS
-7 - CAR
-8 - OAK
-13 - CLE

Did You Know? Bill Belichick going for it on 4th down

The Patriots are 5 for 7 on 4th down pass attempts this year.
Dating back to 2002 they have attempted 55 passes on 4th down and have converted 33 of them for a first down (60%).
On 4th and 2 or less since 2002, the Patriots have attempted 19 passes and have completed 16 of them - 15 for first downs. The only completion not a first down, was the play against the Colts last Sunday night.
Dating back to 2002, The Patriots are tied with Arizona for the most first downs on 4th and 2 or less when passing the ball with 15.

View the results from all teams on 4th and 2 or less

Target leaders - Week 10 (players with 10+ targets)

17 - T.J. Houshmandzadeh, SEA
16 - Randy Moss, NE
16 - DeSean Jackson, PHI
14 - Santonio Holmes, PIT
14 - Devin Hester, CHI
13 - Calvin Johnson, DET
13 - Steven Jackson, STL
12 - Reggie Wayne, IND
12 - Kellen Winslow, TB
11 - Brent Celek, PHI
11 - Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
11 - Roddy White, ATL
11 - Wes Welker, NE
11 - Pierre Garcon, IND
11 - Dwayne Bowe, KC
11 - Tony Gonzalez, ATL
10 - Hines Ward, PIT
10 - Greg Olsen, CHI
10 - Anquan Boldin, ARI
10 - Brandon Marshall, DEN

The "In case you're wondering" Stat of the Week

With Kyle Orton at QB, Brandon Marshall had four catches for 129 yards and two TDs on six targets. With Chris Simms at QB he had one catch for 5 yards on four targets. Ouch.

The Amazing Chris Johnson

The Titans lead all teams with 17 rushing plays of 20 yards or more. Chris Johnson is responsible for 16 of them. The other Titans RB with a 20+ yard rush was none other than rookie RB Javon Ringer. Three teams are tied for second with 11 rushing plays of 20 yards or more (ATL, MIN, NYJ). Here's the kicker, Johnson has 10 gains of 30 yards rushing or more and 7 gains of 40 yards rushing or more.

More on Chris Johnson...

Johnson has 1353 total yards rushing and receiving. That's 207 more total yards than Steven Jackson (2nd in total yards), 231 more yards than Adrian Peterson (3rd) and 240 more than Ray Rice (4th) Total rushing and receiving yards - leaders

Trivia Answer of the Week

12 WRs since 1960 have reached 1,000 yards receiving in their rookie season. Only one TE has accomplished the feat. Who is it?

Mike Ditka with 1061 yards in 1961. All 1,000 yard rookie WR.

As always, feedback is welcome: e-mail - haseley@footballguys.com, Twitter - JeffHaseley