Stats - Passing and Rushing correlation

One argument I keep seeing on here is that LSU needs to improve its passing game in order to keep winning. But no one has really specified what that means. It could mean more passes, more yards, better completion percentage, better pass-run balance, and so on.

It's no secret that having a good passing game helps the rush game, and vice versa. But since LSU makes a living by running the ball, it would be safe to say that for LSU the passing game's purpose is to boost the running game by keeping the defense honest.

I have put together the season's numbers so far to see if there is a correlation. And what I have found is that the team's collective Passer Rating (which includes the receivers' play) has the highest correlation to rushing success as compared to attempts, yards, completions, or completion percentage.

"Rushing Effectiveness" is a ratio of what LSU put up on a team compared to their rushing defense yards per game. It wouldn't be accurate to just look at YPC or YPG without looking at the opponent.