SZVETITZ COLUMN: As Todd goes, so does Auburn

Chris Todd for Heisman.

OK, not really.

But, if every day was homecoming, you could go ahead and book a trip to New York for the December ceremony right now.

If every game was against Furman, or other FCS schools, Todd would be on Tim Tebow’s level.

OK, not really.

If every game was like Saturday’s 63-31 win over the Paladins, Todd’s picture would be overlooking Pat Dye Field beside the
Jumbotron. He and Darvin Adams’ can go right next to the one of Pat Sullivan and Terry Beasley.

Maybe they’d even name a street after him. Chris Todd Pass. Or, maybe, Chris Todd Way. Or Lane. Or Drive.

No? OK, not really.

But there’s something to be said for 17-for-18 for 256 yards and four touchdowns … in two quarters.

That’s a 287.2 passer rating. In the NFL, it’d be 158.3.

Guess what?

That’s perfect for the pros.

He completed his first 14 passes. The only one he didn’t connect on was a pass that should have been caught.

Not too shabby, even if the opponent was.

Heck, that’s not bad against oxygen, as both Gene Chizik and Gus Malzahn said after the game.

“He was on the money with a lot of his throws,” Chizik said. “He was real efficient in what he did.

“It’s hard to complete that many in a row, even if it’s on air.”

After the game, you think Todd would have been walking on air after setting the Auburn record for single-game completion percentage with 94.4 percent, passing Jason Campbell’s mark of 92.3.

But he wasn’t.

It was all about the offensive line and the wide receivers doing their jobs.

It was all about the running backs creating opportunities for the pass.

It was all about them making him look good.

“It really started up front,” Todd said. “Some guys were able to get open and present themselves. … And we ran the ball well today.”

Sure, Furman also had a part to play in Todd’s extraordinary numbers. If it was an SEC opponent the senior QB was playing against, he might not have been that good.

But, just go out in the backyard and try to throw your buddy 18 passes. How many does he drop? How many do you toss into the barbecue?  How many even make it to his feet?

Fourteen in a row?

“That’s hard to do,” Malzahn said.

Air is a nasty defender sometimes.

But Todd plays in the SEC — the Southeastern Conference — not the Southern Conference. The air up there is a lot more intense.
So are the linemen, linebackers and defensive backs.

But, you know what? Todd’s been pretty good in those games, too.

Here’s his season line: 143-for-224, 1,958 yards, 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

The key stat there? That’s right, three picks.

Here’s some more numbers …

In Auburn’s seven wins, Todd has averaged close to 243 yards and two touchdowns.

In the Tigers’ three losses, Todd has thrown for just 260 total, two interceptions and zero touchdowns.

See the correlation?

When Todd is on, so is Auburn.

Really.

MIKE SZVETITZ is sports editor of the Opelika-Auburn News. He may be reached at or 737-2513.