78%

[FloridaPoke]

In the last 5 games, 4 without Dez, Zac has completed 78% of his passes. Which happens to be the best % of any 5 game stretch in his career. He does that against Tejas without any picks and we will win. I find it interesting that once he was forced to go through his reads without Dez, he has lit it up.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

I find it interesting that once we played teams couldn't pressure, Zac had time to look around

[OSUFan]

With or without Dez, OSU will beat Texas!

[Erick]

Zac has looked great and other receivers have certainly stepped up, but there is no doubt that having Dez back would be a huge plus for us. The man just flat out makes plays that no other man can. It completely changes the way our opponents call defensive plays.

I hope the NCAA releases him this week but since they haven't bothered with it up to this point I don't see them doing anything until after this game. We will win this game regardless.

[GoPokes83]

Auntie 'Em will pick up the slack!

[MemphisPoke]

I think I have to agree with Florida on this one. Dez was a crutch for Zac. He knew he could throw it close and Dez would make the play. Since Dez has been out Zac's throws have become more accurate and he is going through his reads better.

If you really think about it in the first few games there were other receivers open that Zac never hit because he was throwing to a partially covered Dez. Now true Dez made a lot of those catches on talent alone, but others were more open than he was.

If Dez being out has done one thing then it has made Zac look at the field as a whole and not zero in on where Dez was suppose to be. And I think we are better off for it. And Zac's numbers have shown it.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

A lot of guys dropped passes in the early games too... and the OLine wasn't blocking as well... just saying.

Was he not as accureate, was he pressured more often, were the other WRs just surprised to see a ball thrown toward them, was Zac still struggling with his leg injuries?

Heck, who knows. I know for a fact that the other WRs are trying harder and paying more attention, so whatever the other improving factors, that is clearly one that we needed.... involvement and total attention from everybody.

[wood911]

The one area we seem to miss Dez the most is in the red zone. Dez was going to get open and make the play more often than not. We have struggled getting TDs since Dez has been gone. Saturday we had 2 FGs that should have ben TDs against a mediocre defense. It frustrated me that Dez would be double covered and we were still throwing to him when the other guys were open. Whatever the difference, I like Zac better spreading the ball around.

[MemphisPoke]

I'll agree on the Red Zone area Wood911. Dez just has that ability to find an open spot OR out jump anyone around him for the ball. Wish, and hope, some of our other receivers could learn how to do this.