Big Ten Football: Power Ranking The Quarterbacks Going Into Conference Play

So, who is the best quarterback in the Big Ten?

Depends on your scale for judging.

If we are talking about most efficient, that will probably be a different quarterback than the one who gains the most yards.

And the leader in that category may be even different than the one who displays the most poise in the pocket.

What about a quarterback whose team wins? Should he be considered better than the one with video game like numbers whose team couldn't beat Sister Martha's School for Fat Girls and Wayward Nuns?

Who is to say?

For the purposes of this list, we will rank the quarterbacks based on passing efficiency, coupled with wins.

Conference play begins this week, and we all know that is a horse of a different color than Notre Dame, Arizona State, and Temple.

Here are your rankings, No. 11 to No. 1 going into the first week of conference play.

11. Robert Marve: Purdue Boilermakers

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 04: Robert Marve #9 of the Purdue Boilermakers rolls out to look for a receiver against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 4, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defated Purdue 23-12. (Photo by

This transfer from Miami was supposed to infuse life into the Purdue offense.

But through four games, Marve has only completed 67.7% of his passes this season and only tossed three touchdown passes to go with four interceptions.

Besides that, Marve is currently sitting on the bench with an ACL tear, the same injury that affected Marve in the spring of 2009.

Couple these stats with his team's 2-2 record, and that is why Marve brings up the rear in this week's rankings.

10. Nathan Scheelhaase: Illinois Fighting Illini

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 4: Nathan Scheelhaase #2 of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini scrambles against the University of Missouri Tigers during the State Farm Arch Rivalry game on September 4, 2010 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri.

Nathan Scheelhaase does not overwhelm one with his amazing accuracy, nor does he blow one away with his arm strength.

But he has the Illini at 2-2 this season, and Illinois will face their stiffest test of this season this weekend.

With three passing touchdowns and another rushing to go with three interceptions, Scheelhaase occupies the next-to-last place on the list.

9. Robert Bolden: Penn State Nittany Lions

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Robert Bolden #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

He's a true freshman, give him that, but Bolden is going to have to put up better numbers if PSU is going to have any further success this year.

Thus far, Bolden has tossed only three touchdowns to go with five interceptions and only 205 yards per game, while completing only 60% of his passes.

8. Adam Weber: Minnesota Golden Gophers

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Adam Weber #8 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers passes during the game against the USC Trojans on September 18, 2010 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Adam Weber averages over 250 yards passing per game, has thrown seven touchdowns, and only two interceptions.

So why is he here?

Because he is only completing 62% of his passes, and the Gophers are 1-3.

And the guys above him are pretty darn good.

7. Kirk Cousins: Michigan State Spartans

Finally, after sharing the starting job with Keith Nichol last season, Kirk Cousins has it all to himself this season.

Cousins has been good, leading the Spartans to a 4-0 record heading into their showdown with Wisconsin this weekend.

With a 67% completion percentage, and six passing touchdowns, Cousins comes in at seventh on the list.

6. Scott Tolzien: Wisconsin Badgers

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MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: Scott Tolzien #16 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks for a receiver against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Arizona State 20-19. (Photo by Jonatha

Tolzien has been "Mr. Efficiency" so far this season, completing almost 77% of his passes while leading Wisconsin to a 4-0 record.

Tolzien has been operating without his top two receivers, as both have been out with injuries for the past two weeks.

5. Ricky Stanzi: Iowa Hawkeyes

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TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: The Iowa Hawkeyes line up before the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Hawkeyes 34-27. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty

"Stanzi the Manzi" has been great this season, throwing nine touchdowns to only one interception and averaging 250 yards passing per contest.

Stanzi has made some big plays with his arm, and has shown the capacity to slice up a defense.

He will have to improve in big games though, against Arizona in the Hawks only loss, he accumulated 278 yards passing, but threw his only pick and completed less than 55% of his passes...

4. Terrelle Pryor: Ohio State Buckeyes

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes passes against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Ohio Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 73-20. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

TP...where to start.

The Junior quarterback has shown maturity and poise, throwing only two picks to go along with ten touchdowns.

Pryor has also rushed for 269 yards and three touchdowns, putting him at No. 4 in this week's rankings.

3. Ben Chappell: Indiana Hoosiers

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BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 01: Quarterback Ben Chappell #4 of the Indiana Hooisers moves to hand off the ball during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium on November 1, 2008 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Ge

Chappell has, arguably, the best receivers in the conference, and his statistics show it.

Through only three games this season, Chappell has thrown 10 touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 72% of his passes for 296 yards per game.

While Indiana has yet to play anyone of note this season, not many in the Big Ten have.

2. Denard Robinson: Michigan Wolverines

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines runs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan defeated Notre Dame 28-24. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Gett

The most talked about man in college football, Denard Robinson leads the conference in rushing yards, with 688 yards so far this season and scoring six TDs on the ground.

Couple that with his four passing TDs and electrifying performance in every game, and "Shoelace" comes in at No. 2.

1. Dan Persa: Northwestern Wildcats

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 31: Dan Persa #7 of the Northwestern Wildcats runs with the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ryan Field on October 31, 2009 in Evanston, Illinois. Penn State defeated Northwestern 34-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty I

Persa? Persa? Really?

Yeah.

Through four games this season, Persa has averaged 262 yards passing per game to go with 8 touchdowns and only one interception in his first season as a starter.

Persa also has also rushed for two touchdowns.

Persa sits on top this week, mainly because he completes eight out of every 10 passes, but also because his leadership qualities and intangibles give the Wildcats a chance to win every week.