ACC Quarterback Rankings Week 8: Still A Tight Race Among The Leaders
When two of the top QB's in the conference have off weeks it's difficult to expect much jostling among the leaders. That's exactly what happened this week when Christian Ponder and Russell Wilson were preparing for their battle against one another on Thursday night.
Tyrod Taylor remained at the top after a dominating performance against another cupcake, this time around it was Duke. Georgia Tech should give him more of a challenge, so who knows how those numbers will be after they battle this weekend.
Joshua Nesbitt should be embarrassed after the way he played against Clemson. Again he has shown that he isn't a passing QB and Clemson even demonstrated how to stop his running game, limiting him to only 2 yards.
Jacory Harris and Danny O'Brien share this weeks honors for best performance by a QB in the ACC. Although Taylor had a great weekend he played Duke, one of the worst pass defenses in the nation. Harris and O'Brien each threw for three touchdowns in their respective wins over North Carolina and Boston College.
Another disappointment this week was the performance by T.J. Yates. Most critics had been considering him one of the top three QB's in the ACC but after his game against Miami those critics may be retracting their statements.
Plenty is still up for gabs and a lot can change this week with all the key games. Expect to see some different rankings come next week. Then again one never knows what will take place when the ACC teams do battle.
12. Chase Rettig, Boston College : LW 12
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Rettig has proven he is the best choice at QB for Boston College, even if he’s a true freshman. However, that isn't saying much considering how abysmal the QB situation has been for them all season.
He showed some capability in their 24-21 loss to Maryland by completing 18 of 33 passes for 189 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. By no means is he the best QB in the ACC but he does have a bright future if he continues to improve.
Season Stats
PCT: 47.8
PYDS: 356
TD: 2
INT: 2
RYDS: -27
TD: 0
11. Tanner Price, Wake Forest: LW 11
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Price and Wake Forest had the week off so he was unable to improve on his embarrassing performance from the week before.
He has some good tools and skills, but is far from being polished. The fact that he’s a true freshman plays a big roll into that. This is the type of QB that Jim Grobe wants to direct his offense and I think he will work out just fine.
Season Stats
PCT: 53.6
PYDS: 723
TD: 6
INT: 3
RYDS: 162
TD: 3
10. Marc Verica, Virginia: LW 10
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After struggling for a couple weeks, Verica was finally able to find that rhythm he had earlier in the season. He completed 18 of 31 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns in Virginia's 48-21 blowout win over Eastern Michigan.
Consistency is his main issue and perhaps the reason why the Cavaliers have only won three games so far. His competition will be a little different this week when Miami comes to town.
Season Stats
PCT: 57.8
PYDS: 1,489
TD: 8
INT: 6
RYDS: -67
TD: 0
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
9. Sean Renfree, Duke: LW 8
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It’s not getting any easier for Renfree, who has been struggling mightily the past couple of weeks. He started off the season with back-to-back 350 plus yard games but lately he can’t even reach 200 yards.
Virginia Tech’s defense was stifling and only allowed him to complete 12 passes for 116 yards. He was also intercepted one time during that 44-7 drubbing.
You can’t expect too much when you play for Duke and although he has the tools to be a good QB, it just isn't working out for him right now.
Season Stats
PCT: 54.7
PYDS: 1,737
TD: 10
INT: 15
RYDS: -59
TD: 0
8. Danny O'Brien, Maryland: LW 9
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Maryland squeaked by Boston College 24-21 and O’Brien was the key to their win. He directed three scoring drives, connecting with Torrey Smith, Ronnie Tyler and Kerry Boykins for touchdown passes.
It’s hard not to feel bad for Jamarr Robinson who was shelved earlier in the season due to an injury. Now with O’Brien playing the way he is, Robinson may never see the starting role again.
O’Brien finished the game with 182 yards and three touchdowns.
Season Stats
PCT: 55.8
PYDS: 980
TD: 9
INT: 3
RYDS: -29
TD: 0
7. Joshua Nesbitt, Georgia Tech: LW 5
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Coming into the game only needing 44 yards to become the all-time leading rushing QB in the ACC seemed like no problem for Nesbit who is primarily a running QB. Instead it was no easy feat as Clemson shut him down for only 2 yards on 15 attempts.
If he isn't rolling then the offense isn't getting things done like it should. He finished the game completing 6 of 19 passes for 83 yards, one touchdown and an interception in a 27-13 losing effort.
Season Stats
PCT: 38.2
PYDS: 674
TD: 7
INT: 3
RYDS: 651
TD: 8
6. Kyle Parker, Clemson: LW 7
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Parker put up one of his better performances of the season in Clemson's 27-13 win over Georgia Tech. He completed 17 of 27 passes for 167 yards and one touchdown.
The yardage isn't eye popping but the fact that he was able to complete 63 percent of his passes is substantial considering their receiving problems.
He will need to continue this play if Clemson hopes to stay within striking distance of the ACC title game.
Season Stats
PCT: 52.8
PYDS: 1139
TD: 8
INT: 4
RYDS: 30
TD: 0
5. Jacory Harris, Miami: LW 6
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Harris has put together back-to-back quality starts. North Carolina was supposed to be one of the tougher games remaining on Miami's schedule but Harris didn't disappoint.
He completed 21 of 32 passes for 217 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. When he shows up to play and stays within himself as a player then he has all the potential in the world. But when he becomes too lax and tries to force the issue his problems arise.
Season Stats
PCT: 53.9
PYDS: 1,561
TD: 14
INT: 10
RYDS: 28
TD: 2
4. T.J. Yates, North Carolina: LW 3
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There is no question that T.J. Yates has been the surprise QB in the ACC so far this season. But reality finally set in and the QB that we all remember from last year showed up against Miami.
He threw two interceptions and only managed 140 yards through the air. That is no way to show that you’re an elite QB within the ACC or to help your team pull off a huge win. Obviously that win didn't occur as they went on to lose that game to Miami 33-10.
Season Stats
PCT: 65.5
PYDS: 1,635
TD: 11
INT: 3
RYDS: -40
TD: 1
3. Christian Ponder, Florida State: LW 4
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Ponder needed a week off more than any other QB in the ACC. Solely because he suffered an elbow injury in the game against Boston College.
Thursday night against N.C. State will be another statement game where he will need to play much better in order for Florida State to come out on top. If he shows any signs of discomfort or struggles throughout the game then expect EJ Manuel to get the call.
Season Stats
PCT: 60.2
PYDS: 1,187
TD: 12
INT: 7
RYDS: 118
TD: 2
2. Russell Wilson, N.C. State: LW 2
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During the week off in preparation for the FSU game, Wilson searched for that old form he had at the start the season.
“Lately I have been indecisive and just haven’t been making those smart decisions I did earlier in the season,” Wilson said. “I will need to step up my game in order for us to compete against their defense (FSU).”
It will be a tough challenge with FSU’s defense playing with confidence, but I don’t expect Wilson to shy away much.
Season Stats
PCT: 57.8
PYDS: 2,124
TD: 18
INT: 9
RYDS: 203
TD: 2
1. Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech: LW 1
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Taylor continued to put up great numbers, but of course it was against another lesser opponent in Duke. There was no surprise when he picked apart their secondary completing 13 of 17 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns.
Some may feel he is an overrated QB and rightfully so considering the competition he has faced the past three weeks. Regardless of that fact, of late he has been playing the best football of any QB in the ACC.
Season Stats
PCT: 63.9
PYDS: 1,602
TD: 15
INT: 3
RYDS: 527
TD: 3
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
