College Football Power Rankings: The Top 25 Quarterbacks Heading Into Week 9

There's no denying that in a week of college football that featured losses by Oklahoma, Iowa and Texas, there's plenty to talk about.

But if you're looking for an individual story, Auburn's Cam Newton is your guy. 

He needed just eight games to rush for over 1,000 yards and set SEC records for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in conference history. 

Newton was the defining player in Auburn's matchup with LSU, rushing for over 200 yards in the contest. He's fast-tracking his way to a Heisman right now and doesn't look like he's letting up any time soon. 

25. Christian Ponder, Florida State

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MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 9: Christian Ponder #7 of the Florida State Seminoles runs out of the pocket to pass the ball against the Miami Hurricanes on October 9, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,187 / CMP%: 60.4 / TD: 12 / INT: 7 / Rating: 129.29 / Rushing Yards: 118 / AVG: 2.1 / TD: 2

Ponder seemed to be doing everything he could to lose in Week 7, with two interceptions and a fumble in the third quarter that gave Boston College the lead over FSU entering the fourth quarter. Luckily, the Seminoles went on to win and even luckier they had a bye to sort things out. 

24. Jordan Wynn, Utah

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Jordan Wynn #3 of the Utah Utes looks to pass the ball in the second quarter of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martine

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,283 / CMP%: 69.8 / TD: 12 / INT: 5 / Rating: 168.61 

We've been keeping our eye on Wynn for a few weeks now, but didn't feel comfortable including him after a poor showing in Week 7. He bounced back with over 300 yards and three touchdowns against Colorado State and Utah remains undefeated. 

23. Andy Dalton, TCU

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FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs passes the ball against the Air Force Falcons at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,635 / CMP%: 65.5 / TD: 14 / INT: 5 / Rating: 154.92 / Rushing Yards: 374 / AVG: 6.4/ TD: 4

Dalton was having issues with his accuracy on Saturday, going 11-of-20 for 185 yards and a touchdown and an interception. But he made up for it with his best game of the year on the ground, rushing for 93 yards and a touchdown in the Frogs 38-7 over Air Force. 

22. Dan Persa, Northwestern

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Dan Persa #7 of the Northwestern Wildcats runs past Eric Gordon #43 of the Michigan State Spartans for a touchdown at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jo

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,850 / CMP%: 75.7 / TD: 10 / INT: 3 / Rating: 164.28 / Rushing Yards: 341 / AVG: 3.1/ TD: 6

Persa wasn't able to get much going through the air in Northwestern's near-upset against Michigan State, passing for just 187 yards and an interception. However, he did save his stat-line with his legs, rushing over 20 times for the second consecutive game and putting up a hat trick with his legs. 

21. Stephen Garcia, South Carolina

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Stephen Garcia #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,681 / CMP%: 72.1 / TD: 12 / INT: 6 / Rating: 170.23 

Through seven games Garcia has the fifth-highest passer rating in the country at over 170. He's thrown for over 700 yards in his last two games and while the interceptions have been an issue, Garcia is looking more and more like the quarterback people once thought he'd develop into. 

20. Nick Foles, Arizona

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Injured quarterback Nick Foles #8 of the Arizona Wildcats congratulates Keola Antolin #2 after Antolin scored a 78 yard rushing touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter of the college football game at Ar

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,600 / CMP%: 75.3 / TD: 9 / INT: 5 / Rating: 156.37

Foles sat out in Arizona's 44-14 win over Washington after suffering a sprained knee early in the Wildcats' matchup with Washington State. These types of injuries are hard to judge, but it looks like it won't be season-ending at least. 

19. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Reno Wolf Pack runs for a touchdown against the UNLV Rebels in the first quarter of their game at Sam Boyd Stadium October 2, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada Reno won 44-26. (Photo

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,480 / TD: 10 / INT: 5 / CMP%: 68.2 / Rating: 151.89 / Rushing Yards: 669 / AVG: 6.9 / TD: 12

Kaepernick has been one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country the last couple of seasons. But he hasn't looked that great over the last month and it finally caught up with him in a 27-20 loss to Hawaii a couple of weeks ago. Nevada was off in Week 8. 

18. Taylor Martinez, Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers throws downfield during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Texas Defeated Nebraska 20-13. (Photo by Eric Franci

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,046 / CMP%: 59.5 / TD: 8 / INT: 3 / Rating: 156.99 / Rushing Yards: 870 / AVG: 8.7/ TD: 12

After Nebraska's loss to Texas, we questioned whether Martinez was more than just a rusher under center. After averaging just over 120 passing yards a game in his first six starts, the freshman had the best passing game of his career, lighting it up for 323 yards and five touchdowns. 

17. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri

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COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 23: Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers passes against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,899 / CMP%: 67.3 / TD: 11 / INT: 3 / Rating: 137.85

After putting on a show against Texas A&M we only asked one thing of Gabbert: do it again when you play Oklahoma. He did and then some, passing for 300 yards and a touchdown in a massive win for the Tigers over the No. 1-ranked team in the country. 

16. Russell Wilson, N.C. State

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RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 16: Russell Wilson #16 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bearcats during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 16, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/

2010 Stats

Yards: 2,124 / CMP%: 57.8 / TD: 18 / INT: 9 / Rating: 132.59 / Rushing Yards: 200 / AVG: 2.9 / TD: 2

Wilson has struggled with interceptions the last few weeks and it got him into trouble for the second time in three weeks in N.C. State's unexpected loss to East Carolina in Week 7. Wilson threw three interceptions in the 33-27 loss, with a bye week this time around to think it over.

15. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans throws a pass under pressure from Corbin Bryant #98 of the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,948 / CMP%: 66.5 / TD: 14 / INT: 4 / Rating: 161.72

Cousins was solid once again on Saturday, completing over 65 percent of his passes for the fifth time in his last six games. Northwestern put up a better fight than most anticipated. But Cousins had arguably his best game of the season with 331 yards and three touchdowns. 

14. Greg McElroy, Alabama

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KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Greg McElroy #12 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws a pass during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,781 / CMP%: 70.6 / TD: 11 / INT: 3 / Rating: 163.35

McElroy had a better than advertised game against Tennessee. Though he failed to find the end zone through the air, he did manage to squeeze a rushing touchdown in to go along with his 264 passing yards off of 21-of-32 passing.

13. Denard Robinson, Michigan

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ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 09: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up prior to the start of the game against the Michigan State Spartans on October 9, 2010 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,319 / CMP%: 67.8 / TD: 9 / INT: 5 / Rating: 159.09 / Rushing Yards: 1,099 / AVG: 8.0 / TD: 9

As quickly as Robinson rose to the top, he appears to be falling back down to earth. He was a national sensation in the first month of the season. But defenses have started to adjust to him. And it's showing in the results. Michigan was off in Week 8, but has lost two in a row and is really struggling. 

12. Jake Locker, Washington

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies scrambles to pass during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,614 / CMP%: 56.5 / TD: 14 / INT: 4 / Rating: 131.37 / Rushing Yards: 252 / AVG: 3.7 / TD: 3

Just after we start having faith in Locker, he let us down yet again. After a career day against Oregon State, Locker was nothing special in an embarrassing loss to Arizona. He threw for only 183 yards and touchdown but did take some big hits that slowed him down noticeably. 

11. Darron Thomas, Oregon

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 21: Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks throws a pass against Donavan Carter #9 of the UCLA Bruins on October 21, 2010 at the Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,539 / CMP%: 60.9 / TD: 17 / INT: 5 / Rating: 158.87 / Rushing Yards: 269 / AVG: 6.4 / TD: 2\

Oregon put on a clinic on against UCLA on Thursday and made a serious case as the top team in the country. The Bruins defense isn't particularly stout. But a 300-yard, three-touchdown game is a 300-yard, three-touchdown game. 

 

10. Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies runs with the ball during the Chick-Fil-A Bowl against the Tennessee Volunteers at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hokies beat the Volunteers 3

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,602 / CMP%: 63.9 / TD: 15 / INT: 3 / Rating: 171.13 / Rushing Yards: 527 / AVG: 6.2 / TD: 3

Taylor wasn't needed for much in Virginia Tech's romping of Duke on Saturday, throwing only 17 passes in the 44-7 win. He made them count though, with 280 yards and three touchdowns. Taylor also added another 47 yards rushing off six carries. 

9. Ricky Stanzi, Iowa

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 23- Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes warms up before action against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kinnick Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Wisconsin won 31-30 over Iowa. (Photo by David Purd

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,732 / CMP%: 68.1 / TD: 16 / INT: 2 / Rating: 174.88 

Iowa suffered a crushing 31-30 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday in a back-and-forth shootout. But you can't place too much blame on Stanzi. He was 25-for-37 for 258 yards and three touchdowns. 

8. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 23: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes rolls out against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,775 / CMP%: 66.0 / TD: 18 / INT: 6 / Rating: 162.81 / Rushing Yards: 408 / AVG: 5.2 / TD: 3

With Ohio State putting up a score of 49-0 against Purdue, you'd expect a great stat line all around. But Pryor was a bit of a disappointment. He had 270 yards passing and three touchdowns but threw a pair of interceptions as well. That's four in his last four games now.  

7. Robert Griffin III, Baylor

2010 Stats

Yards: 2,373 / CMP%: 66.7 / TD: 18 / INT: 4 / Rating: 159.53 / Rushing Yards: 384 / AVG: 5.1 / TD: 6

Griffin was a bit up and down at the start of the season but he's simply been on fire the last few weeks and is playing about as well as any quarterback in the country. Against Kansas State, Griffin had his best game of the season with over 400 yards passing for four touchdowns as Baylor moved to 6-2. 

6. Matt Barkley, USC

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans warms up before the game against the California Golden Bears at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 16, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,869 / CMP%: 65.4 / TD: 20 / INT: 4 / Rating: 167.30

Barkley has had a couple of outstanding performances in his last two games, though USC was off this weekend.  First, it was 390 yards and three touchdowns in a tough loss to Stanford, then 352 yards and five touchdowns against Cal. 

5. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks warms up before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. The Tigers beat the Razorbacks 65-43. (Photo by Mike Zarr

2010 Stats

Yards: 2,040 / CMP%: 67.4 / TD: 15 / INT: 7 / Rating: 163.65 

After being forced out of Arkansas' game against Auburn a couple of weeks ago, it was clear that Mallett was still feeling the effects of the concussion he suffered. He was messy and not nearly as accurate as he usually is.  

4. Landry Jones, Oklahoma

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners in action against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Imag

2010 Stats

Yards: 2,094 / CMP%: 66.8 / TD: 17 / INT: 5 / Rating: 142.81 

Oklahoma didn't last long on its throne, with a huge upset to Missouri all but eliminating the Sooners from the national championship. Jones had an off night on a day Oklahoma simply couldn't survive it's own mistakes, and that pretty much sealed it. 

3. Kellen Moore, Boise State

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LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos prepares to pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,567 / CMP%: 69.5/ TD: 16 / INT: 1 / Rating: 190.35 

Moore has been stellar this season, completing over 60 percent of his passes and throwing for at least two touchdowns in every game this year. He was off this weekend. But his 14-of-16 for 231 yards and a pair of scores against San Jose State is still fresh in our memories. 

2. Andrew Luck, Stanford

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PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 23: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal drops back to pass against the Washington State Cougars at Stanford Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,728 / CMP%: 66.5 / TD: 19 / INT: 5 / Rating: 165.43 / Rushing Yards: 253 / AVG: 7.2 / TD: 2

Luck has been throwing lights out the last couple of weeks and if he'd been more consistent, there would be a much better debate for the No. 1 spot in the rankings. But just look at his last couple of weeks to gain some perspective: Luck is 40-of-52 for 475 yards with six touchdowns and one interception. 

 

1. Cameron Newton, Auburn

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers rushes upfield against the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,364 / CMP%: 65.2 / TD: 13 / INT: 5 / Rating: 172.08 / Rushing Yards: 1,077 / AVG: 6.9 / TD: 14

Last week we doubted Newton, putting him fourth in the rankings despite two terrific weekends in a row. For that, we apologize to Mr. Newton. Kentucky and Arkansas is one thing but LSU has one of the best defenses in the country. And it showed there just might not be answer for Newton's offense.