College Football 2011: Power Ranking The Top 10 QB Battles Going into the Summer
There is a saying that goes "if you have two QBs, that means you don't have one." ManyĀ teams in college football have some questions surrounding the QB position and are in the midst of someĀ intense battles for the starting jobs.
The field-general spot is the most crucial position on the team and there are some hot battles still going on into the summer in college football.Ā
Here are the top 10 QB battles in college football.
10. Miami
1 of 10
Jacory Harris vs. Stephen Morris
Harris came in as the heralded recruit who was supposed to turn the Miami program around. He hasn't. He has failed to show much improvementĀ sinceĀ hisĀ freshman year and continues to be an interception machine.
Morris flashes potential, but he also has not done enough toĀ separateĀ himself from Harris. This couldĀ beĀ choosing the lesserĀ ofĀ two evils.
9. Penn State
2 of 10
Robert Bolden vs. Paul Jones vs. McGloin
Bolden, in my opinion, is theĀ mostĀ talented QB on the PSU roster. He gives the Nittany Lions the best chance to have a playmaker at the position. However, he took his benching poorly and tried unsuccessfully to transfer away from the Nittany Lions program.
McGloin is a former walk-on who is a steady-manager type. He doesn't do anything to wow you, but he has decent ability in all areas of the position. Jones is a former top-flight QB recruit who some say will transfer if not given the job.
8. UCLA
3 of 10
Richard Brehaut vs. Kevin Prince vs. Brett Hundley
Hundley is a true freshman who is viewed as a the "Savior of UCLA Football." A dual-threat style signal caller, he has enrolled early and is with the team for spring practices.
Prince has been the starter before, but he can never seem to stay healthy. Brehaut has the best combination of talent and experience and he is my pick to win the job. But any three could be the opening-day starter against Houston.
7. Auburn
4 of 10
Barrett Trotter vs. Clint Moseley vs. Kiehl Frazier
Trotter is a 6'2", 206 pounder who is the oldest of the group as a junior. He shows a betterĀ understandingĀ of the offense and he had a high completion percentage during spring workouts.
Moseley has greatĀ abilityĀ and makes plays, but he is a bit inconsistent. He could win the job during the summer with more consistent play. Frazier is theĀ dark horse, coming in as a true freshman.
6. Washington
5 of 10
Keith Price vs. Nick Montana
Replacing Jake Locker will be a daunting task. For starters, Locker was beloved by Washington fans, coaches and players; secondly, Locker made plays to help Washington win. He was easily the most talented player on the roster.
Both Price and Montana have had solid springs displaying a solid command of the offense. They both haveĀ solid skill sets and have shown great ability to lead the first-team offense. Look for this race to be tight until Sark names a starter.
5. Texas
6 of 10
Garrett Gilbert vs. CaseĀ McCoy
Gilbert came into Austin as the hyped QB recruit with a golden arm andĀ everythingĀ you wanted in a QB. He showed everyone what he was about when he suddenly had to fill in for Colt McCoy in the BCS title game against Alabama.
Yet last year Gilbert was largely inconsistent and had an up-and-down season. This springĀ hasĀ seen the riseĀ ofĀ Case McCoy, Colt's little brother, who dazzled inĀ theĀ springĀ game. Don't be shocked if Gilbert is holding a clipboard against Rice.
4. Ohio State
7 of 10
Braxton Miller vs. Joe Bauserman
This is a battle for a temporary job, as Terrelle Pryor will serve his five-game ban and come back ready to go.
Bauserman is the steady upperclassmen who understands the offense and can keep the Buckeyes on the field. He'll take his shotsĀ downfield, but he makes adequate decisions.
Miller is the already-legendary true freshman QB viewed as the QB of the future. HeĀ canĀ make plays with his armĀ andĀ legs and he has been practicingĀ withĀ the squad this spring.
3. LSU
8 of 10
Jordan Jefferson vs. Zach Mettenberger
Jefferson was very inconsistent and really, in my opinion, a liability to theĀ Tigers' offense last year. He's not a natural passer to me, but reports have it that he has looked great this spring after Steve Kragthorpe refined some of his fundamentals.
Yet, I think Mettenberger is a clearly better QB. I think if he can come inĀ andĀ show a solid grasp of the offense, he can beat out Jefferson. But this shouldĀ beĀ an interesting race.
2. Notre Dame
9 of 10
Dayne Crist vs. Tommy Rees
Crist has NFL talent and ability. I saw him play live in high school and it was obvious he has elite physical tools. He just has never been able to stay healthy. He flashed a lot of it last year in his first year in Brian Kelly's spread system, but he injured his knee.
Rees has sparked Kelly's eye, showing toughness and just the will of a gamer. I think Crist wins the raceĀ becauseĀ hisĀ ability gives the Irish the best chance to win, but Rees is of interest.
1. Alabama
10 of 10
Phillip Sims vs. AJ McCarron
This race is too tough to call. McCarronĀ hasĀ solid ability, stands 6'4", 190 pounds and shows a solid grasp of the offense. Sims is a thickly-built QB with solid armĀ strengthĀ and athletic ability.
My gut tells me McCarron will edge out the win, but I won'tĀ beĀ shocked if Sims makes a couple of wow plays in summer camp to win over Nick Saban.
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