A Bevy Of Star Quarterbacks Highlight Big Ten Offenses

Although Ohio State is the clear favorite to win the Big Ten Conference in football this year, I’m not convinced that their celebrated quarterback is the best passing product to come out of the Big Ten this season. I also don’t think that the mobile quarterback out of Illinois is the clear favorite to lead the Big Ten backfield. There are just too many superstar quarterbacks in the Big Ten this season.

Juice Williams, University of Illinois
6’2” 233-pound junior (3^rd year starter)
Chicago, Ill.
“Juice is on the loose” might be a popular phrase this season if Illini receivers can’t get open. Williams is one of two quarterbacks that will compete this season for the most mobile quarterback in the Big Ten. Williams rattled off 755 yards rushing last season, averaging 4.6 yards per carry in addition to his 1,743 passing yards passing.
I'm interested in seeing how Williams adapts to the loss of running back Rashard Mendenhall and the fact that U of I will be at least a bit more one-dimensional than they were last year. Part of his success may depend on how well the new Illini running backs develop.

Kellen Lewis, Indiana University
6’1” 185-pound junior (3^rd year starter)
Jacksonville, Fla.
Mark Oct. 18 on your calendar, because you’ll get to see Williams take on Indiana’s Kellen Lewis in Champaign in what is sure to be most exciting quarterback battle in the Big Ten. That is, if you like mobile quarterbacks. Lewis, who was reinstated by IU coach Bill Lynch earlier this summer had 736 rushing yards last season, averaging 5 yards per carry. He put up 3,043 yards through the air last season in addition to 28 passing touchdowns. Lewis will face obstacles, including recovering after not practicing with the team during the spring and the loss of star wide receiver James Hardy.

Jake Christensen, University of Iowa
6’1” 215-pound junior (2^nd year starter)
Lockport, Ill.
There has been a lot of talk about Kirk Ferentz being on the hot seat for Iowa this year and Jake Christensen could certainly help his coach’s cause with a big year for the Hawkeyes. Christensen shouldn’t make too many mistakes, as he only threw six interceptions last season, but he isn’t guaranteed to put up huge numbers. He threw for 2,269 yards last season with 17 touchdowns through the air.

Steven Threet, University of Michigan
6’6” 230-pound freshman
Adrian, Mich.
No quarterback in the Big Ten has bigger shoes to fill than red shirt freshman Steven Threet. After transferring from Georgia Tech, Threet is expected my many experts to take over for Chad Henne for the maize and blue. A tall, built candidate for quarterback will have to compete with fellow Michigan native Nick Sheridan to lead the Wolverines this year.

Brian Hoyer, Michigan State University
6’3” 215-pound senior (2^nd year starter)
North Olmsted, Ohio
After starting two games in 2006 and the entirety of last season, Brian Hoyer will gear up in 2008 for his senior season in East Lansing. Hoyer had a 131 quarterback rating last season with 2,725 yards and 20 touchdown passes while only throwing 11 interceptions.
Hoyer will need to be a force this year to assist Michigan State running back Javon Ringer. If Hoyer puts up better numbers than he did last year, the Spartan offense could be virtually unstoppable.

Adam Weber, University of Minnesota
6’3” 220-pound sophomore (2^nd year starter)
Shoreview, Minn.
Minnesota had a disappointing showing in 2007. The 1-11 Gophers managed just a victory against Miami of Ohio and fell against two other mid-majors and an FCS team. If the Gophers hope to turn around their season this year, sophomore Weber and receiver Ernie Wheelwright will need to continue to make big plays. Weber broke a few school records in his freshman campaign at Minnesota. He threw for 2,895 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also rushed for 617 yards and five touchdowns. By the time he is a senior, Weber should be in the spotlight as an elite quarterback nationally.

CJ Bachér, Northwestern University
6’2” 215-pound senior (3^rd year starter)
Sacramento, Calif.
CJ Bachér may just be the most experienced quarterback in the Big Ten. He started midway through his sophomore season and put up pretty solid numbers. His junior year was even better as he put up 3,656 yards up through the air, more than any other Big Ten quarterback. Bachér, while performing well, still had his downfalls. He threw 19 interceptions matching the number of touchdown passes he had to his name and the weak NU offensive line allowed him to be sacked 32 times.

Todd Boeckman, Ohio State University
6’4” 244-pound senior (2^nd year starter)
St. Henry, Ohio
When it comes to expert analysis, Todd Boeckman is the sexy pick to be the number one quarterback in the Big Ten. Boeckman does seem to fit the Buckeyes scheme and after a putting a National Championship game under his belt, he should be ready for 2008.
Boeckman completed almost 64 percent of his passes last season resulting in a passer rating of 148.95. He had 25 touchdown passes and only 14 interceptions.

Daryll Clark, Penn State University
6’2” 231-pound senior
Youngstown, Ohio
Along with Steven Threet, Daryll Clark may be the most inexperienced starter in the Big Ten this year. Though he is a senior, he has only thrown 36 passes in his college career and has not started a game. The most action Clark saw last season was against Ohio State when he completed four of five passes for 13 yards and a 101.84 passer rating.

Curtis Painter, Purdue University
6’4” 230-pound senior (3^rd year starter)
Vincennes, Ind.
As painful as it is for an IU student to admit, Purdue’s Curtis Painter may be a dark horse candidate for the best quarterback in the Big Ten. Painter doesn’t get much credit, most likely because the Boilermakers haven’t been involved in a major bowl since 2003.
However, no one can argue with Painter’s numbers. He has put up nearly 4,000 yards in two consecutive seasons with Purdue’s “basketball on grass” style offense. He threw for 29 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions last year while accumulating a 132.29 passer rating. It will be interesting to see how Painter does without targets Dorien Bryant and Dustin Keller.

Allan Evridge, University of Wisconsin
6’2” 212-pound senior
Papillon, Nebraska
Allan Evridge began his career starting five games as a freshman for Kansas State. In that time, he threw only six touchdown passes while throwing seven interceptions away. He was sacked 16 times and the Cats won only one of those five games. Since transferring to Wisconsin, he has only thrown 12 passes for 66 yards and a minuscule 87.87 passer rating. It will be interesting to see if Evridge has developed enough to be a force this year for the Badgers.

 Matt Gard’s 2008 Big Ten Quarterback ratings
1. Curtis Painter, Purdue
2. Todd Boeckman, Ohio State
3. Kellen Lewis, Indiana
4. Adam Weber, Minnesota
5. Juice Williams, Illinois
6. CJ Bacher, Northwestern
7. Brian Hoyer, Michigan State
8. Steven Threet, Michigan
9. Jake Christensen, Iowa
10. Daryll Clark, Penn State
11. Allan Evridge, Wisconsin