Central Michigan’s third-down conversion rate with Vaughn Blue and without Vaughn Blue
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Against what the season’s ratings expected, Central Michigan was 4.0 percentage points under with Vaughn Blue and 6.7 percentage points over without Vaughn Blue in 2026, 6 games against 1. The plain averages are 34.3% and 42.9%, a difference of 8.6%. All 5 home games were with Vaughn Blue. All 6 day games were with Vaughn Blue. All 7 unranked opponents were with Vaughn Blue.
Vaughn Blue, running back: 187 rushing yards, 43 carries and 5 receptions in 7 games this season.
One game without Vaughn Blue is one game, not a sample, but maybe you can find something if you squint.
third-down conversion rate a game over expected
with Vaughn Blue
−4.0%
without Vaughn Blue
+6.7%
-10%0%
plain
34.3%
42.9%
20%30%40%
The games
with Vaughn Bluewithout Vaughn Blue
| Side | Date | Game | Result | 3rd downs | Expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | @ New Mexico | L | 18.2% | 38.1% | |
| Sep 12, 2026 | vs Colgate | W | 37.5% | — | |
| Sep 19, 2026 | vs Wyoming | W | 38.5% | 37.1% | |
| Sep 26, 2026 | @ Miami (FL) | L | 42.9% | 36.1% | |
| Oct 3, 2026 | vs Akron | W | 33.3% | 37.9% | |
| Oct 10, 2026 | @ Ohio | L | 42.9% | 36.3% | |
| Oct 17, 2026 | vs Western Michigan | L | 26.7% | 37.0% | |
| Oct 24, 2026 | vs Miami (OH) | L | 42.9% | 40.2% |
Method
- Expected is an offense and a defense a team, fit over every 2026 game between two teams in the table with the game being read left out, plus 1.4% for the home team (the edge the fit finds once strength is in), nothing at a neutral site.
- Each expected number is then fit to the season’s games: a game bears out about 40% of the difference the model predicts.
- Colgate has no other game in the table, so that game has no expected number and sits out the second figure.
- Who played is read from the schools’ box scores’ participation lists, which name every player who entered the game.