QB Regression = Facing #1 Defense

In the opener against Washington, Jefferson completed 11 of 19 (58%) for 172 yards.

Against Vandy, Jefferson completed 20 of 29 (69%) for 138 yards.

Against ULL, Jefferson completed 16 of 25 (64%) for 165 yards.

In the Mississippi State game, Jefferson went 15 of 28 (54%) for 233 yards.

After the Georgia game, there were virtually no posts calling for the replacement of Jefferson. To the contrary, after going 18 of 27 (67%) for 212 yards, most people were fairly satisfied with his performance. (To be sure, the typical Lee supporters were still calling for Lee, but nothing will silence some zealots.)

Then Jefferson ran into the brick wall that is the Florida defense. He completed 11 of 17 (65%) for 96 yards. Some of his plays in the Florida game looked absolutely horrendous; those plays are certainly memorable.

Nevertheless, one must ask whether the facts prove that JJ is regressing during the first six games of the season or whether the facts demonstrate that JJ is progressing and simply had a bad game against the country's #1 Scoring Defense and #2 Total Defense, Passing Defense, and Pass Efficiency Defense.

The facts are clear. The trend might not be unbroken improvement prior to the Florida game, but Jefferson is clearly improving. The Florida game is not proof of regression. Rather, the Florida game is proof of what happens when a QB plays against a top defense that returned all of its starters and backups.