College Football Rankings 2011: Top 25 Quarterbacks Heading into Week 2

If the excitement of Week 1 is any indication, the 2011 college football season is shaping up to be a quarterback-crazy campaign. Amidst a veritable minefield of upsets, blowouts and weather delays, we had 38 signal callers throw for at least 250 yards, 24 with at least three touchdown passes and 30 who completed at least 70 percent of their passes.

Granted, plenty of those top-shelf performances came against directional and city-state schools, if not the Blind Sisters of the Poor (whose quarterback threw for 231 yards and two scores).

That makes the task of sorting out and ranking the top 25 quarterbacks in the country that much more difficult after just one week of play. Some guys (i.e. Nick Foles, Taylor Martinez) put up gaudy numbers against FCS cupcakes while others (i.e. Tommy Rees, Darron Thomas) took their lumps against "real" competition.

And that doesn't even include the QBs—some of whom came into the season as Heisman Trophy favorites (hi, Andrew Luck!)—who dropped in to throw an obligatory touchdown pass before sitting on the pine while their backups notched reps in mop-up duty.

Now, I'll do my best to put these young quarterbacks in some semblance of an accurate pecking order. However, don't be surprised if and when this list looks entirely different after Week 2, both in terms of who's included and where those included rank in relation to one another.

And I'm not going to lie here, some of the big names (Luck, Kellen Moore) will get greater consideration due to their proven track records of success than the no-name passers just coming on the scene—at least at the outset. Frankly, this list can't be anything but arbitrary after one week of play and will remain fluid until a more distinct hierarchy has begun to calcify. 

With all of that being said, let's have a look at the silver slew of QBs heading into the second weekend of the September.

25. Tanner Price, Wake Forest

Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe must be thanking his lucky stars that Tanner Price's knee injury won't keep him out of any more games.

The 6'2", 205-pound sophomore suffered a blow to his left knee in the fourth quarter of the Demon Deacons' 36-29 season-opening loss to Syracuse in overtime. With Price in the game, Wake built up a solid 29-14 lead behind 289 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-31 passing from its burgeoning leader.

After his exit from the game, though, the Deacs proved to be a completely different team, allowing the Orange to pull even and sneak out of the Carrier Dome with a win.

Thankfully for Wake (and Grobe's future there), all indications are that Price will be under center and ready to go when the Deacs take their show back on the road to BB&T Field to face ACC foe NC State.

24. Taylor Martinez, Nebraska

If this list were a ranking of running backs, Taylor Martinez would undoubtedly be much higher.

Nonetheless, the sophomore quarterback was sensational against Chattanooga, operating the Cornhuskers' old school triple-option offense to perfection.

Yes, Martinez's passing stats against the Mocs were pedestrian (11-of-22, 116 yards), but that doesn't take away from the 135 yards and three touchdowns he rolled up on 19 carries in a 40-7 victory. 

23. Casey Pachall, TCU

Say what you want about TCU's defense in the Horned Frog's season-opening loss to Baylor, but keep Casey Pachall out of it.

The 6'5" sophomore from Brownwood, Texas had some difficulty out of the gate in his first start in place of Andy Dalton but settled down quite well in leading his team back from a 24-point deficit in the third quarter to take a lead in the fourth, 48-47.

In the process, Pachall piled up 251 yards, four touchdowns and an interception while completing 25-of-39 pass attempts and adding another score with his legs. Judging from that performance, Pachall has all the ability and moxie in the world to be a better quarterback than his predecessor.

Had Robert Griffin III (who appears later on this list) not had such a stunning performance for the Bears on Friday night, Pachall would've been the one grabbing headlines and stirring the Heisman pot.

22. Joe Bauserman, Ohio State

If there's a quarterback more unassuming in big-time college football than Joe Bauserman, I'd certainly like to know.

The fifth-year senior split time under center with much-ballyhooed true freshman Braxton Miller during Ohio State's 42-0 shellacking of Akron and was tremendously efficient, albeit against a clearly inferior foe. Bauserman connected on 12 of his 16 pass attempts for 163 yards and three scores along with another 32 yards and a touchdown in six carries.

Only time will tell if he and Miller are the second coming of Todd Boeckman and Terrelle Pryor, though I can't imagine Buckeyes fans would mind if they were.

21. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Kirk Cousins was his usual, steady self in Michigan State's 28-6 win over Youngstown State.

The senior was a model of efficiency for the Spartans, connecting on 18 of 22 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown, and should continue that roll against Florida Atlantic on Saturday.

20. Tevin Washington, Georgia Tech

Amidst NCAA scandal and Georgia Tech fans hoping for the return of Josh Nesbitt or the rise of Vad Lee, Tevin Washington has continued to improve while silencing his legions of doubters.

That campaign continued during the Yellow Jackets' 63-21 throttling of Western Carolina last Thursday, in which Washington tossed for 271 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 total attempts, with another 34 yards on the ground for good measure.

A model of efficiency, to say the least.

19. Chris Relf, Mississippi State

College quarterbacks these days don't get much bigger or more physical than Mississippi State's Chris Relf.

The 6'4", 245-pound senior bulldozed his way through the Memphis defense last Thursday, throwing for 202 yards and two touchdowns on 13-of-21 passing along with 51 rushing yards in a 59-14 win for the Bulldogs.

Look for him to make minced meat of Auburn's depleted defensive line on Saturday in a romp for Dan Mullen's squad.

18. Seth Doege, Texas Tech

If Texas Tech does in fact jump from the Big 12 to the pass-happy Pac-Whatever, the Red Raiders will fit right in, thanks to the trusty arm of Seth Doege.

The junior quarterback racked up 326 yards and three touchdowns on 23-of-33 passing in a 50-10 trouncing of Texas State and figures to face similarly lax resistance against New Mexico after the bye week.

17. Tyler Bray, Tennessee

With the team's running game appearing somewhat suspect thus far, Tennessee will likely rely heavily on quarterback Tyler Bray, all 6'6" of him, to get the job done through the air this season.

The sophomore from California didn't seem to mind volunteering his services against Montana, completing 17-of-24 for 293 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-16 romp.

The Vols will welcome Big East "power" Cincinnati to Rocky Top for Bray's next foray. 

16. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

Tyler Wilson made arguably the most anticipated debut of any new quarterback in the SEC this season. The 6'3" junior has been touted as a better quarterback and NFL prospect than even his predecessor, the cannon-armed Ryan Mallett.

Wilson certainly didn't disappoint during his first full-time start against Missouri State, logging 260 yards and two touchdowns on 18-of-24 passing in a 51-7 stomping while giving scouts no reason to doubt his pro potential.

15. Barrett Trotter, Auburn

Lost amidst the hoopla of Auburn's near-embarrassment against Utah State at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday was the solid play of Barrett Trotter.

Filling the shoes of a Heisman Trophy winner as spectacular as Cam Newton was no easy task for the junior from Birmingham, but Trotter performed about as well as anyone could have hoped. He connected on 17 of his 23 attempts for 261 yards and three touchdowns against the Aggies while leading the Tigers back from a 10-point deficit with 3:38 left in the game.

Not quite as epic as any of Newton's heroics, given the nature of the opponent, but nothing to snub your nose at, either. Trotter will turn out to be a very good quarterback for Gene Chizik's team, regardless of how porously the defense performs against the run. 

14. Danny O'Brien, Maryland

Maryland's hideous new uniforms did little—if anything—to slow down sophomore signal-caller Danny O'Brien.

Amidst inclement weather, adjusting to a new coaching staff and throwing to teammates dressed as state flags, O'Brien put his best foot forward against Miami, going 31-of-44 with 348 yards, a touchdown and an interception and scampering for 37 yards on six tries in the Terrapins' 32-24 triumph over the Hurricanes.

O'Brien will be put to the test two weeks from now when the Terps welcome West Virginia to the "Snake Pit" on Sept. 17. 

13. Geno Smith, West Virginia

Speaking of coaching changes, bad weather and No. 19 West Virginia, Geno Smith didn't seem to mind all the chaos surrounding the "Friends of Coal Bowl" against in-state rival Marshall.

Through rain, thunder and lightning, the junior from Miami logged 249 yards and two touchdowns on 26-of-35 passing against the Thundering Heard in a 34-13 win that was called in the fourth quarter due to delay. 

12. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

Let's set aside all the hullaballoo surrounding Texas A&M's attempt to flee the Big 12, if only for a moment, and focus on the fact that the Aggies have a darn good football team this year.

Their offense might be the most potent in a conference loaded with scoring talent, thanks in large part to the presence of Ryan Tannehill.

The senior quarterback-turned-wide-receiver-turned-quarterback-again from Big Spring, Texas took SMU to task on Sunday, totaling 246 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-26 passing in a 46-14 flaying of the Mustangs.

11. Andrew Luck, Stanford

Don't panic, folks. Andrew Luck will be higher on this list when all is said and done.

And if he's not, you'll know there's something wrong with college football's newest "Golden Boy" and preseason Heisman Trophy favorite.

The junior had a solid, if wholly unspectacular, afternoon for No. 6 Stanford against lowly San Jose State, going 17-of-26 with 171 yards and two touchdowns, along with a scampering score, in a 57-3 romp.

He and his Cardinal brethren should have a similarly easy day against Duke on Saturday.

10. Case Keenum, Houston

Case Keenum is back, and he's ready to shatter the NCAA career passing mark.

The fifth-year senior exacted revenge against the same UCLA Bruins squad against whom he tore up his knee last year, completing 30-of-40 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-34 nail-biting win for Houston.

Look for his assault on the record books to continue when he and the Cougars travel to Mean Green Stadium to take on North Texas on Saturday.

9. Dominique Davis, East Carolina

Dominique Davis checks in with the best performance by a quarterback in a losing effort during Week 1 of the 2011 college football season.

His East Carolina Pirates had SEC East champion South Carolina on the ropes at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Of course, the Gamecocks came back from a 24-14 halftime deficit to win quite handily, 56-37.

However, not before Davis did his damage, dialing up 260 yards, four touchdowns and an interception on 37-of-56 passing and adding another touchdown on the ground.

The senior from Lakeland, Florida will have another chance to shine against a BCS power when ECU welcomes Virginia Tech, the reigning victors of the ACC, to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday. 

8. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

Should Brandon Weeden be docked for throwing three interceptions against Louisiana-Lafayette? Sure, of course.

But it's tough to fault the guy for putting up 388 yards and three touchdowns on 24-of-39 passing for Oklahoma State while leading a Cowboys offense that amassed 61 points against the Ragin' Cajuns.

Even if it's not entirely fair that Weeden's going to be 28 in October. Think he's got an edge in experience over his collegiate compatriots?

7. Matt Barkley, USC

USC's Matt Barkley earns kudos in this week's rankings for playing a prominent part in setting two records at a school that's had more than its fair share of offensive talent in recent years.

The junior shattered the Trojans' single-game mark for completed passes with his 34-of-45 performance against Minnesota on Saturday.

Barkley saw 17 of those balls end up in the hands of sensational sophomore Robert Woods, thereby setting the school record for most receptions in a game.

All told, Barkley ended up with 304 yards and three touchdowns, though he and his Trojan teammates can hardly be satisfied with their 19-17 victory over a Golden Gophers team that won all of three games last season.

Not with Pac-12-newcomer Utah dropping in for a visit in Week 2.

6. Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Like Andrew Luck, Landry Jones will be closer to the top of this list "Sooner" rather than later.

Sorry, I just couldn't help myself with that one.

Oklahoma's Heisman headliner hauled in 375 yards and a touchdown on 35-of-47 passing in a 47-14 trouncing of Tulsa.

The real test, though, will come in two weeks, when the top-ranked Sooners travel south to Doak Campbell Stadium for a football fight with No. 5 Florida State.

5. Nick Foles, Arizona

Nick Foles is a good enough quarterback to end up this highly ranked at the end of the season, even without the gaudy numbers he put up in Arizona's 41-10 dismantling of FCS opponent Northern Arizona.

Foles rolled up a pretty impressive stat line, to say the least, connecting on 34-of-42 for 412 yards and five touchdowns.

I don't care how irrelevant the Lumberjacks are, those are some darn good numbers. Don't be surprised if Foles finds a similar level of "resistance" against No. 9 Oklahoma State on Saturday.

Though he could just as easily end up with a miserable performance like he did when these two teams met in the Alamo Bowl this past December.

4. Russell Wilson, Wisconsin

Mark my words, everybody: Russell Wilson is going to have a monster year for Wisconsin and take the college football world by storm in the process.

Okay, so maybe I'm not going that far out on a limb in predicting a spectacular season for Wilson. The senior transfer from North Carolina State was nothing short of dynamic in a 51-17 stomping of UNLV.

Wilson needed only 10 completions in 13 attempts to notch 255 yards and two touchdowns with his arm, to go along with 62 yards and a touchdown on two tries with his legs.

The Badgers are back, folks, and better than ever with Wilson under center.

3. Kellen Moore, Boise State

Just another day at the office for Kellen Moore, I suppose.

Boise State's senior signal caller was successful on 28 of his 34 passing attempts for 261 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.

Not that his performance meant anything, unless you think beating SEC stalwart Georgia in convincing fashion, 35-21, in front of a brazenly Bulldog crowd at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta is something worth sneezing at.

Ain't that right, naysayers?

Yeah, maybe we should just give Moore the Heisman now before he buries himself with too many "ho-hum" performances like this one.

2. Bryn Renner, North Carolina

To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't see a single top 25-worthy performance from Bryn Renner the rest of the season. The sophomore is taking over the reins of an embattled North Carolina football program that isn't likely to get much positive publicity as the season progresses.

However, I would be foolish if I didn't give Renner his due for what he did on Saturday, albeit against a pushover like James Madison.

Technically, Renner didn't throw an incomplete pass in the Tar Heels' 42-10 season-opening victory. Granted, one of those throws was caught by Duke safety Dean Marlowe, but the other 22 ended up in the hands of his own teammates, who turned those balls into 277 yards and two touchdowns.

Just about any other week, Renner's performance would be the best of the bunch...

1. Robert Griffin III, Baylor

...Except Renner just had to do what he did the very same week Robert Griffin III did what he did.

Griffin was a force to be reckoned with amidst 20th-ranked Baylor's then-upset win over No. 25 TCU last Thursday, 50-48, and even that is putting it lightly. The junior connected on 21-of-27 passes for 359 yards and five (count 'em) touchdowns against a defense that was the best in the nation last season.

Granted, the Horned Frogs lost a few good men to graduation, but that does little to diminish just how impressive Griffin was in guiding the Bears to a win over their in-state rival, especially after last year's 45-10 debacle in Fort Worth.

Unfortunately for Griffin, his success has since been overshadowed in Waco by Baylor's role in keeping Texas A&M tied to the Big 12.