If there’s a tried and true predictor of success in college football, it’s quarterback play. And this fall, the Big 12 will welcome back the best crop of returning quarterbacks in the country—maybe of all time.
Of the top 15 rated quarterbacks in 2007, five played in the Big 12: Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford (No. 1), Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell (No. 6), Oklahoma State’s Zac Robinson (No. 12), Kansas’ Todd Reesing (No. 14) and Missouri’s Chase Daniel (No. 15).
Even more stunning? With names like Dennis Dixon, Paul Smith, Colt Brennan, and Brian Brohm either out of eligibility or lost to the NFL, the Big 12 will be home to five of the top nine returning signal callers.
Furthermore, Texas’ Colt McCoy has the potential to be the best of the Big 12 bunch. After all, as a freshman, McCoy rated in the top 10, throwing for more than 2,570 yards and 29 touchdowns. Despite a sophomore slump, the Longhorn still finished as the 24th-ranked quarterback nationally—giving the Big 12 six of the top 25.
By contrast, the SEC and Pac-10—widely regarded as 2007’s best conferences—had just two signal callers rated in the top 25.
Beyond their efficiency, it’s also important to note the experience among the Big 12 corps, minimizing the likelihood of a severe drop-off in production this season. Bradford is the youngest of the group as a rising sophomore. And as a junior, Robinson will be entering his first full season as a starter.
However, Daniel, Reesing, and Harrell will be experienced upperclassmen, and all five led their team to a bowl game in 2007.
Admittedly, passing efficiency isn’t the only measure of quarterbacking success. But it’s the most comprehensive.
And while it would be foolish to predict that the Big 12 will produce this season’s BCS champion simply because of returning experience and efficiency at the quarterback position, it’s undoubtedly a reliable, early indication that the conference will be well represented from the opening polls all the way through bowl season.
28 comments Last one added 12 months ago — Leave a Comment
Uncle Rico Touchdown Mountain about 1 year ago
Wow. Look at all those daunting QBs the conference as turned out recently.... Chris Simms, Vince "Flop" Young, Rhett Bomar, Major Applewhite, David Klingler. All those guys are NFL HOF locks!
Read more, post less.
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Trey Bradley about 1 year ago
Read the article, not just the headline. I make no case for NFL success. Only that 6 proven quarterbacks will make the Big 12 a conference to be reckoned with.
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Brett Barton about 1 year ago
I don't remember David Klingler playing in the Big XII.
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Tim Pollock about 1 year ago
Uncle Rico,
Even staying with your argument, which was off-topic to begin with: Which conference has better pro prospects right now?
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Ben Weixlmann about 1 year ago
Rico, that's just ignorant. This is by far the best QB conference! Good article, Trey!
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Mitch Harper about 1 year ago
It's crazy to think the Big XII is known for offense now. Historically, the programs in this conference were always defensive juggernauts. Those QBs though are going to be good, the only one that I think is a bit overrated is Todd Reesing. Bradford and Harrell are going to have great seasons.
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Lisa Horne about 1 year ago
Pick of the day! I do believe the Big 12 will be the most exciting and competitive conference this year- sorry SEC fans. Trey...nice job! I like Daniel a lot, and hope Mizzou finally beats Oklahoma, but Harrell-to-Crabtree might be a phrase we start chanting a lot instead.
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Tim Pollock about 1 year ago
Lisa,
You'll come around on the SEC one day...
Seriously, if Kansas flops this year, would you then give the nod to the SEC?
I will give you that the Big 12 is very tough; looking at KU's and Texas's schedules prove as much.
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JJ Stankevitz about 1 year ago
It's kind of a shame the Big XII and SEC didn't face off in bowl season outside of one horribly lopsided matchup (Mizzou/Arkansas) and one snoozer matchup (Colorado/Alabama). It would have been fun to see OU or Mizzou play Georgia...
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Ken Armer about 1 year ago
Baylor has some talented QB's, too bad they will get no recognition with a down right terrible team and receivers who drop more balls than they catch. But I think Daniel will show his true talent this year.
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Eric Hobbs about 1 year ago
Who in their right mind considered the Pac 10 one of the best conferences? In 2007, that conference consisted of USC, Arizona St., Dennis Dixon, and nobody else.
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Trey Bradley about 1 year ago
I'm not in the business of defending other people's opinions... but there were a ton of "experts" who called the Pac10 the second best, if not the best last year. Keep in mind they sent 6 of 10 programs to bowl games and won 4 of them. Not as good as the SEC's 7-2 mark, obviously. But better than every other BCS conference.
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Eric Hobbs about 1 year ago
The Big XII sent 8 of 12 teams to bowls, went 5-3 in those games, and had 2 teams in the BCS, plus Mizzou who was screwed out of a BCS spot.
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Colby Hafield 12 months ago
missouri didnt get screwed out of anything they had 2 losses by thesame team1 missouri was so way over rated . and they will fall flat on their loser face this year. Boomer Sooner!
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Brett Barton about 1 year ago
Reesing will be a junior, not a senior. And I agree with Mitch in that he is probably a bit overrated due to the cupcake teams he feasted upon last year. He'll have a chance to prove me wrong this year as Kansas' schedule is significantly tougher.
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Justin Goar about 1 year ago
you'll get no argument from me. the sec has tebow and stafford and then a big dropoff.
good take.
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bowlbasaur golden bears about 1 year ago
hmm is that an indicator of bad defense maybe?
luckily the big 12 schedule works out better this season so the top teams don't dodge each other and there won't be a "smoke and mirrors" kansas team
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asdlfjalf asdlkfasdlf about 1 year ago
A "smoke and mirrors" team that happened to beat the #1 computer ranked team and ACC champion in a BCS bowl.
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j buenneke about 1 year ago
Kansas has one of the best defense's in the country they only lost two starters from last year and look to be even better than last year
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Andrew Fong about 1 year ago
Don't sleep on Mcgee at A&M. We'll see what a real coach can do with him.
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David Vaughn about 1 year ago
Daniel the 5th best of the Big 12 QB's you mentioned? That is a joke. He's number one in the conference, not 5th.
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Scott McDaniel about 1 year ago
Chase Daniel is an excellent quarterback, but he is undersized. He does have a ton of talent around him, that at times makes him look really good. I think Reesing is very talented as well considering the lack of talent he has at the WR, and TE positions. Daniel is most definately better than Zac Robinson and Harrell at Red Raider High.
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DB Baldwin about 1 year ago
David Klinger? Nice one Rico! LMAO
I'm also pretty sure no one mention professional football as we all know that College success does not transfer to professional success...not at any position.
One would think that the upcoming season will be very good in the BIG XII. All of these teams will have good offenses...the team that plays the best defense all year will come out on top.
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That Big 12 Guy about 1 year ago
Wow, you left off the guy thats considered the #1 NFL prospect. Josh Freeman.
Hmm.
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Trey Bradley about 1 year ago
He was rated 60th last season, so he was beyond the scope of this piece... as were McGee and Hawkins. Not to say they aren't great prospects. But they dont fall in the category of "proven" quarterbacks that I can compare to those returning in other conferences.
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Jonathan Slotter about 1 year ago
First McGee needs to learn how to throw, Colorado and Kansas State both need talent, so they probably won't have great statistical years. Colt probably won't do well because he won't have a running game. Its definietly Daniel, Harrell, Bradford, Robinson, Reesing for the win.
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Scott McDaniel about 1 year ago
McGee doesn't need to learn how to throw, if you look at his high school stats, he was a big time passer, but he has had an injured shoulder for 2 seasons now....He had offseason shoulder sugery that might help his passing game this season......so we will see what happens with Sherman holding the reigns....Kansas State does have a very talented quarterback in Josh Freeman, he fits the quarterback mold, tall, big, can see over the offensive line, and fair mobility.
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Gavin Derek 12 months ago
no one has mentioned Zac Robinson who might be the most well rounded QB when it comes to his mobility and arm. Just to bad OSU never has a D.
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