Tim Tebow vs. Marcus Mariota: Who Transitions Better to the NFL?

Dec 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scores on a 7-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against the Arizona Wildcats in the Pac-12 Championship at Levi

2. Statistics

Advantage: Marcus Mariota

It was literally almost impossible to separate these two guys. If we are going strictly by passing numbers, Mariota appears to win running away after throwing for 105 touchdowns to only 14 interceptions along with nearly 10,800 yards while completing 66.8 percent of his passes. Tebow, meanwhile, had only 88 touchdowns to 16 interceptions while throwing for 9,285 yards and completing 66.4 percent of his passes.

But the gap narrows significantly once you factor in rushing. Tebow ran for 57 touchdowns compared to Mariota’s 29, and he had more than 2,900 rushing yards while Mariota only had slightly more than 2,200 rushing yards.

Tebow has the touchdowns advantage by nine, but he scored 13 his first year in which he didn’t start. Comparing the three years they started, Mariota has more total touchdowns by four, more total yards by more than 1,000 more career yards per carry, more career yards per passing attempt, and a higher quarterback rating.

So, we give the edge to Mariota. You can make the case that Tebow played against better competition, as we have, and that his supporting cast took away opportunities for him to rack up more stats. Both are true.

But they are not true enough, particularly when you factor in averages. Mariota has to get the stats advantage, and by getting this advantage, he’s now tied with Tebow as we determine who is better.

Even more interesting, Mariota has won so far on the two more important stats. So what is the final tiebreaker?

Score: Tied Even at 2-2 (Tiebreaker to Mariota)

Next: #1: Eye Test