In recent weeks, many Alabama football fans have concluded that Crimson Tide safety Bray Hubbard is a better player than Caleb Downs. It is a bold claim. Caleb Downs was a sensational freshman when he played for Nick Saban and Alabama. He has continued his outstanding play for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Hubbard is No. 7 among SEC players with two interceptions and five pass breakups in SEC games. Against SEC competition, Hubbard has forced three fumbles, good for No. 2 among SEC players. In Big Ten games, Caleb Downs is tied for No. 20 with one interception. Downs is not in the Big Ten's top 50 defenders in passes broken up. In fairness to Downs, Ohio State opponents avoid testing him. Downs is also not in the Big Ten's top 50 defenders in tackles. Hubbard is not in the SEC's top 50 tacklers either, but he is the Crimson Tide's third-leading tackler. Downs is tied for 4th in tackles for Ohio State.
Putting those stats into perspective is that Caleb Downs' stats have come against weaker competition than the players Bray Hubbard has defended. There is ample proof for that claim, including a statement by Caleb Downs. Speaking to David Pollack, Downs said, "In the SEC, you're playing DUDES every week. You have to prepare your body, your mind every week. In the Big Ten, you're gonna have 4 or 5 games maybe where you're gonna have to play high level competition."
Alabama Football Stats and SOS
The most telling word used by Downs was 'maybe.' Maybe an Ohio State or Indiana will face high-level competition in four of five games. They do not come close to matching the conference gauntlet SEC teams face. Using ESPN's Strength of Schedule (SOS), Ohio State has the No. 46 SOS. Indiana's SOS is No. 45. For the Alabama Crimson Tide, the SOS is No. 11.
Caleb Downs spoke a truth that no Big Ten fan is willing to accept. And the blinders are not restricted to the B1G. Across the college football world, the SEC's top teams, especially the Alabama Crimson Tide are so reviled that facts are ignored. Caleb Downs deserves a hat tip for stepping up.
Note: Stats provided by cfbstats.com and Sports Reference