Early Predictions for Biggest 2015 College Football QB Battles

Twenty of the biggest college football programs in the country, including all four members of the 2015 College Football Playoff, will have quarterback battles this offseason.

Some of those battles are a product of excess, highlighted by the Battle for the Ages at Ohio State. But in most cases, instead of having three proven, Heisman-caliber quarterbacks, coaching staffs must decide from a list of mostly untested options.

The predictions that follow take only the current roster into account. They were made under the assumption that Braxton Miller stays at Ohio State, Everett Golson stays at Notre Dame and every other quarterback stays at whatever school he currently plays for.

They were also made as projections instead of preferences. They are not the QBs I would start if I were Coach X, Y and Z; they're the QBs I think will start based on listening to Coach X, Y and Z.

Sound off below to let us know where you disagree.

Alabama

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Contenders

• Blake Barnett (Fr.)
• Cooper Bateman (So.)
• Jake Coker (Sr.)
• David Cornwell (Fr.)
• Alec Morris (Jr.)

Different year, same headline. Jake Coker is the key to Alabama's offense, but after riding the bench behind Blake Sims, the strong-armed Florida State transfer is still a mystery. Blake Barnett enrolled early and is the supposed quarterback of the future, but starting a true freshman is not Nick Saban's M.O. Keep an eye on the other guys (seriously, this race is wide open), but the early edge goes to Coker, whose upside and stature (6'5", 230 lbs) are hard to ignore.

The Pick: Coker

Baylor

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Contenders

• Chris Johnson (So.)
• Seth Russell (Jr.)
• Jarrett Stidham (Fr.)

It's hard to put Seth Russell's numbers into context, since they have all come either in mop-up duty or against the scrubs of Baylor's nonconference schedule. Still, on 128 throws the past two seasons, he has averaged 9.6 yards per attempt and has a passer rating of 160.7. Even against Top 40 freshman Jarrett Stidham, Baylor's quarterback of the future, that should get Russell the Week 1 nod.

The Pick: Russell

Boise State

Credit: 247Sports

Contenders

• Ryan Finley (So.)
• Brett Rypien (Fr.)

Brett Rypien is one of the biggest recruits in Boise State history, and he's timed his arrival well. With Grant Hedrick graduated, only 2014 backup Ryan Finley stands in his way. The nephew of former Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien was twice named Washington's High School Player of the Year by The Seattle Times. Enrolling early helps his chance to start and should push him over the edge against Finley.

The Pick: Rypien

Florida

Phil Sandlin/Associated Press

Contenders

• Will Grier (Fr.)
• Treon Harris (So.)

Treon Harris won the favor of the old regime, starting six games as a true freshman while Will Grier took a redshirt. But new head coach Jim McElwain runs a pro-style system whose past two quarterbacks, AJ McCarron at Alabama and Garrett Grayson at Colorado State, both resemble Grier as a player. Harris' biggest win came over Georgia in a game in which he threw six passes. That won't work under McElwain.

The Pick: Grier

Florida State

USA TODAY Sports

Contenders

• JJ Cosentino (Fr.)
• Deondre Francois (Fr.)
• De'Andre Johnson (Fr.)
• Kai Locksley (Fr.)
• Sean Maguire (Jr.)

Unless it lands a graduate transfer, Florida State must replace Jameis Winston with one of four freshmen or Sean Maguire. Maguire failed to impress in the lone start of his career, but his opponent in that game, Clemson, had the best defense in college football, per the F/+ ratings at Football Outsiders. He can't be condemned after one bad start, especially in a battle in which he has so much more experience than the field. But watch out for JJ Cosentino as a dark horse.

The Pick: Maguire

Georgia

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Contenders

• Faton Bauta (Jr.)
• Jacob Park (Fr.)
• Brice Ramsey (So.)

Brice Ramsey has a huge arm but showed against Louisville that he still has a long way to go. Faton Bauta has plus mobility but hasn't shown much as a passer. Jacob Park is the youngest of the three, but he's the best all-around talent—a composite of arm skill and mobility. He is known to be a bit of a gunslinger, and it remains to be seen how new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will feel about that. But it's hard to keep a player of his potential off the field.

The Pick: Park

LSU

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Contenders

• Brandon Harris (So.)
• Anthony Jennings (Jr.)

LSU's passing game was a nightmare in 2014. The Tigers finished No. 122 in the country in completion percentage (50.0) and No. 116 in passing yards per game (162.9). Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris both played a role in that, but Jennings played the bigger role by far. "Why Harris did not play more last season will forever be a mystery," wrote Carter Bryant of Bleacher Report. Les Miles could sell fire to the devil, but even he can't justify sticking with Jennings again.

The Pick: Harris

Michigan

USA TODAY Sports

Contenders

• Russell Bellomy (Sr.)
• Alex Malzone (Fr.)
• Shane Morris (Jr.)
• Wilton Speight (Fr.)

Shane Morris was the No. 3 pro-style quarterback in 2013, but he has thus far been a checkdown robot. He hasn't been given a fair shake by his offensive line, and he'll have a chance to win the job, but this battle is open to anyone. Redshirt freshman Wilton Speight is 6'6" and cuts the cloth of a Jim Harbaugh quarterback. He impressed the old regime (not that it matters) on the scout team last season too. Don't be surprised if he "upsets" Morris and starts Week 1.

The Pick: Speight

Nebraska

Credit: 247Sports

Contenders

• Tommy Armstrong (Jr.)
• Ryker Fyfe (Jr.)
• Johnny Stanton (So.)

Tommy Armstrong had a frustrating year in 2014. That combined with the coaching change has opened the doors for Ryker Fyfe and Johnny Stanton. New head coach Mike Riley and offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf recruited Stanton briefly at Oregon State. He was a California kid who impressed with his dual-threat ability, the same way he has on the practice field in Lincoln these past two years. Now might be the time to let him loose in an actual game.

The Pick: Stanton

Notre Dame

USA TODAY Sports

Contenders

• Everett Golson (Sr.)
• Malik Zaire (So.)

Four years later, we still don't know who Everett Golson is. When he's on, he's capable of reaching the national title game or landing on the post-October Heisman leaderboard. When he's off, Northwestern wins games in Notre Dame Stadium. Malik Zaire proved his worth in the Music City Bowl, and despite his youth, he's probably the safer option. But I'm still not ready to give up on Golson. He's a first-round NFL talent; he just needs to learn to harness it.

The Pick: Golson

Ohio State

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Contenders

• J.T. Barrett (So.)
• Cardale Jones (Jr.)
• Braxton Miller (Sr.)

There are no right answers, and there are no wrong answers. Whoever wins this job will be an instant Heisman Trophy favorite, which speaks to the talent of all three candidates. But with opponents sure to stack the box against Ezekiel Elliott, this team needs more than anything a quarterback with repetitive accuracy. J.T. Barrett is the most accurate passer (and best combination of arms and legs) of the three. Until further notice, that gives him the teeny tiny edge.

The Pick: Barrett

Oklahoma

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

Contenders

• Justice Hansen (Fr.)
• Trevor Knight (Jr.)
• Baker Mayfield (So.)
• Cody Thomas (So.)

New offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley comes from the Mike Leach coaching tree, same as Kliff Kingsbury, who coached Baker Mayfield at Texas Tech in 2013. Mayfield sat out last season, per NCAA transfer rules, but had Oklahoma fans clamoring for him after he dominated the spring game in April. Trevor Knight ended a down season on an extra-down note and has a short leash (if any leash at all). Mayfield's experience in the air raid might even give him the edge.

The Pick: Mayfield

Ole Miss

RICHARD SHIRO/Associated Press

Contenders

• Ryan Buchanan (So.)
• Chad Kelly (Jr.)
• DeVante Kincade (So.)

It's difficult to back Chad Kelly. He was kicked off the team at Clemson after arguing with coaches last spring, and in December, days after signing with Ole Miss, he allegedly got into a bar fight and threatened to shoot up the bar with an AK-47, per Joseph Popiolkowski of The Buffalo News. But Kelly, the nephew of NFL Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, has undeniable talent on a roster without great competition. And Ole Miss needs to strike before its 2013 recruiting class leaves.

The Pick: Kelly

Oregon

USA TODAY Sports

Contenders

• Ty Griffin (So.)
• Jeff Lockie (Jr.)
• Morgan Mahalak (Fr.)
• Travis Waller (Fr.)

Back in 2012, Marcus Mariota won the starting job as a 6'4" redshirt freshman with plus athleticism and the initials MM. Morgan Mahalak is a 6'3" redshirt freshman with plus athleticism and the initials MM. Backup Jeff Lockie, freshman Travis Waller and Georgia Tech transfer Ty Griffin will all get a crack, but Mahalak cuts Mariota's figure and has the best chance to replicate (to some degree) his success.

The Pick: Mahalak

South Carolina

Credit: 247Sports

Contenders

• Connor Mitch (So.)
• Lorenzo Nunez (Fr.)
• Perry Orth (Jr.)
• Michael Scarnecchia (Fr.)

Connor Mitch has thrown six career passes. Perry Orth has thrown three. That is what South Carolina returns in place of Dylan Thompson, and it makes for one of the most wide-open position battles in the country. With little else to go on, however, pedigree makes Mitch the early (slight) favorite. Orth is a former walk-on, while Mitch cracked the Top 247 at 247Sports in 2013.

The Pick: Mitch

Texas

Chris Covatta/Getty Images

Contenders

• Jerrod Heard (Fr.)
• Tyrone Swoopes (Jr.)

Tyrone Swoopes improved in the middle of the season but imploded at the end. The historically inept bowl performance sealed his fate against Jerrod Heard, who won a pair of Texas state titles in high school and has a groundswell of support from fans and boosters. Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said Heard was "starting to get it" in late November, per Wescott Eberts of Burnt Orange Nation. He's the "challenger," technically, but this is Heard's job to lose.

The Pick: Heard

Texas A&M

USA TODAY Sports

Contenders

• Kyle Allen (So.)
• Kyler Murray (Fr.)

Another year, another 5-star quarterback. Kyler Murray went 43-0 as a starter at Allen High School (Allen, Texas) and has the profile of a Johnny Manziel. Like Manziel, though, he might require at least a year to sit and learn. And even if he doesn't, the Aggies have last cycle's No. 1 quarterback recruit, Kyle Allen, coming back after a strong end to his freshman year. Why mess with his head by benching him?

The Pick: Allen

UCLA

Contenders

• Jerry Neuheisel (Jr.)
• Josh Rosen (Fr.)
• Asiantii Woulard (So.)

Jerry Neuheisel played hero after Brett Hundley got hurt against Texas, but he still feels more like a backup than a starter. Asiantii Woulard is a fantastic athlete with a high ceiling, but he's unproven as a passer. The depth chart in Westwood sets up nicely for Josh Rosen, a 5-star recruit and the No. 1 quarterback in the 2015 class. He is already enrolled at UCLA and has the physical tools (6'4", strong arm, underrated mobility) of a future Heisman candidate.

The Pick: Rosen

West Virginia

Credit: 247Sports

Contenders

• Chris Chugunov (Fr.)
• William Crest Jr. (Fr.)
• Skyler Howard (Jr.)
• Paul Millard (Sr.)
• David Sills (Fr.)

His stats looked OK, but Skyler Howard struggled against Texas A&M in the Liberty Bowl and cost himself some ground heading into spring. "I said last week my money was on William Crest to be WVU's starter in 2015," tweeted Jake Trotter of ESPN.com. "After this game, I stand by that even more." Crest took a medical redshirt after injuring his shoulder and missing almost all of the season. Experience is working against him, but Howard left the door wide open.

The Pick: Crest

Wisconsin

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Contenders

• D.J. Gillins (Fr.)
• Alex Hornibrook (Fr.)
• Bart Houston (Jr.)
• Austin Kafentzis (Fr.)
• Tanner McEvoy (Sr.)
• Joel Stave (Sr.) 

There is no shortage of options behind him, but Joel Stave was recruited by new head coach Paul Chryst and has a 21-7 record as a starter. That doesn't mean the job will be handed to him—he did, after all, average 4.4 yards per attempt with one touchdown and six interceptions in the final two games of the season—but it does mean he'll have an advantage. Wisconsin opens with Alabama, and it wouldn't seem right to throw a younger QB to the Tide.

The Pick: Stave

Note: Unless otherwise cited, all recruiting info refers to the 247Sports composite rankings. Follow Brian Leigh on Twitter: @BLeigh35