College Football Rankings 2011: Top 25 Quarterbacks Heading Into Week 3

To be honest, Week 2 of the 2011 college football season didn't make the task of sorting out the top 25 quarterbacks in the land any easier. Sure, there was more of a sample to pull from for each of the players from last week's rankings.

But then came stellar performances from another 25 or so signal-callers who missed out on the fun last week but could've populated a pretty darn good list of their own. Normally, I'd reserve space for every quarterback who was in the previous week's list but whose team didn't play this time around. However, with all the big numbers put up this past weekend, there were bound to be a few guys pushed out.

There's still a ways to go before this list is anything close to perfect or definitive, but I'd like to think things are starting to sort themselves out. In the meantime, I'll refrain from setting the 25 candidates in stone for at least another week or two (if ever), until teams start to hit the meat of their conference schedules. 

As always, feel free to laud, deride, approve, disapprove, hoot and holler. Just keep it (semi-)respectful, at the very least.

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Who's Out?

Six of last week's top 25 quarterbacks did not return to the rankings on this particular occasion. As I mentioned earlier, some of these guys got dropped without playing last week.

Not that I don't think they deserved to stick around, but rather it's because there just wasn't enough room in the top 25 to fit them comfortably without shortchanging other QBs for getting their moment in the sun (because, clearly, college athletes value my opinion above all else) due to their fine performances. Those who fell out without playing will garner special consideration for re-entry next week if they acquit themselves well in Week 3.

What can I say? I've got a kind heart underneath my stone-faced, gate-keeping exterior.

Here, then, are the "Sad Six", with their previous rankings noted and how they fared in Week 2:

2. Bryn Renner, North Carolina — 20/26 for 273 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in a 24-22 win over Rutgers 

9. Dominique Davis, East Carolina — 20/38 for 127 yards and an interception in a 17-10 loss to Virginia Tech

14. Danny O'Brien, Maryland — did not play, next game vs. No. 18 West Virginia

18. Seth Doege, Texas Tech — did not play, next game at. New Mexico

22. Joe Bauserman, Ohio State — 16/30 for 189 yards, one touchdown in a 27-22 win over Toledo

25. Tanner Price, Wake Forest — 22/35 for 297 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 34-27 victory against North Carolina State 

Honorable Mentions

I promise this is the last time I mention in this article just how many terrific performances there were by quarterbacks last week. I'd be remiss if I didn't at least offer some recognition to these five fellows (in no particular order) who are on the cusp of greatness...or a spot in my top 25, at the very least:

Tommy Rees, Notre Dame — 27/39 for 315 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in a gut-wrenching 35-31 defeat at Michigan

Bryant Moniz, Hawaii — 31/45 for 333 yards, one touchdown and one interception, with one rushing touchdown, in a 40-32 loss to Washington

Keith Price, Washington — 18/25 for 315 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in that same game

EJ Manuel, Florida State — 24/35 for 329 yards, four touchdowns and an interception in a 62-10 romp over Charleston Southern

Aaron Murray, Georgia — 19/29 for 248 yards, four touchdowns and a pick in a 45-42 defeat to No. 10 South Carolina 

And without further ado, here's a look at my top 25 quarterbacks heading into Week 3 of the 2011 season.

25. James Franklin, Missouri

Missouri fell out of both the AP and Coaches' Polls this week, despite the best efforts of James Franklin.

The Tigers' sophomore signal-caller connected on 26 of his 42 attempts for 319 yards and two touchdowns, while also carrying the ball 27 times for 84 yards and a score. Franklin led Mizzou to Arizona State's end zone twice in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 30 apiece, but ultimately came up short in a 37-30 loss to the Sun Devils in overtime.

Look for him to pad his stats, and his place in the rankings, against Western Illinois on Saturday.

Last week's ranking: not ranked

24. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

Kirk Cousins was once again efficient, if not wholly "ho-hum", against a cupcake opponent in Week 2. Cousins compiled 183 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-21 passing to lead Michigan State to a 44-0 annihilation of Florida Atlantic.

He'll have a chance to shine on national TV this weekend when the Spartans travel to South Bend to take on an 0-2 Notre Dame team.

Last week's ranking: 21st

23. Casey Pachall, TCU

To almost no one's surprise, No. 23 TCU bounced back from a shocking 50-48 loss to Baylor with a win over Air Force in Week 2.

Casey Pachall patched together 206 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-25 passing, along with 32 yards on nine carries, as the Horned Frogs took out their frustrations on the Falcons, 35-19.

Expect Pachall to continue his solid play for Gary Patterson's posse when Louisiana-Monroe makes its way to Fort Worth.

Last week's ranking: 23rd

22. Tevin Washington, Georgia Tech

Tevin Washington was a model of efficiency for Georgia Tech against Middle Tennessee. He needed only five completions in eight passing attempts to put up 202 yards and two touchdowns, and added another two scores on the ground in a 49-21 romp for the Ramblin' Wreck.

Watch for Washington to continue his early season success this week against a Kansas squad that's struggled to keep down shifty signal-callers (see: Chandler Harnish, later on).

Last week's ranking: 20th

21. Brock Osweiler, Arizona State

As good as James Franklin was for Missouri last Friday in Tempe, No. 22 Arizona State's Brock Osweiler was juuuust a bit better.

Like Franklin, Osweiler made plays with his arm (24-for-32, 353 yards, three touchdowns) and his legs (five carries, 34 yards, one touchdown), though the 6'8" giant gets a slight edge, at least, for coming up with the game-winning touchdown in overtime.

He and the Sun Devils will venture north to play an Illinois team that has gone 2-0 against overmatched opponents.

Last week's ranking: not ranked

20. Marshall Lobbestael, Washington State

Welcome back to college football relevance, Washington State. The Cougars have a lot of folks to thank for their sudden resurgence back into the tentative rungs of respectability, with Marshall Lobbestael chief among them.

Lobbestael was spectacular against UNLV, completing 24-of-32 for 361 yards and five touchdowns in a 59-7 win for Wazzu. The senior was so good, in fact, that he left freshman Connor Halliday to notch 110 yards and two scores of his own in relief.

Next up, the Cougs will take their high-flying offense on the road to face San Diego State.

Last week's ranking: not ranked. 

19. Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois

The MAC Attack is back in action, with Chandler Harnish as its chief proponent. The senior from Bluffton, Indiana was nothing short of sensational in a 45-42 defeat at Kansas, hitting 27 of his 33 pass attempts for 315 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran 11 times for 89 yards, reaching the end zone on three occasions.

This came after Harnish harassed Army in Week 1 with 195 yards passing, five touchdowns and one interception along with 80 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

The Huskies will do their best to harness Harnish's talents when they meet No. 7 Wisconsin at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday.

Last week's ranking: not ranked

18. Tyler Hansen, Colorado

Tyler Hansen tops out as the most prolific passer of Week 2, at least as far as yardage is concerned. The senior signal-caller saw 28 of his 49 passes snagged for a total of 474 yards and three scores in Colorado's 36-33 overtime loss to Cal in a non-conference conference game.

Yeah, I know, I'm confused, too.

Less bewildering is the possibility that Hansen will be armed and dangerous for the Buffaloes when they meet in-state rival Colorado State at Mile High Stadium in Denver this weekend.

Last week's ranking: not ranked

17. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

Simply put, Tyler Wilson was good enough against lowly New Mexico to stick around in the rankings for another week, but not quite good enough to keep from dropping a spot. Wilson connected on 18 of his 26 attempts for 259 yards, a touchdown and a pick while scampering for 45 yards and a score on five carries in a 52-3 thrashing for No. 14 Arkansas.

Things figure to get ugly again in Week 3...for Troy, that is.

Last week's ranking: 16th

16. Chris Relf, Mississippi State

No. 25 Mississippi State came within inches of avoiding defeat at No. 21 Auburn this past Saturday, with that shortfall belonging to Chris Relf.

The Bulldogs' bruising quarterback decided to take the ball himself on an option play from two yards out, but fell just shy of the goal line as time expired to give the Tigers a taste of victory, 41-34.

Not that anyone's regard for Relf should necessarily suffer as a result of his ill-fated decision. After all, he did throw for 195 yards, one touchdown and an interception and ran for another 106 yards on 27 carries.

That being said, don't be surprised if Relf runs into a tough time against No. 2 LSU on Thursday and drops in the rankings as a result.

Last week's ranking: 19th

15. Taylor Martinez, Nebraska

If Taylor Martinez ever learns to throw the ball accurately, or if No. 11 Nebraska ever needs him to, he will catapult into the upper echelon of college quarterbacks.

The shifty sophomore completed only 10 of his 21 passes for 219 yards, a touchdown and two picks, but more than made up for it with 166 yards and two touchdowns rushing in the Cornhuskers' 42-29 win over Fresno State.

He'll have the perfect opportunity to improve his passing stats and make amends for one of his worst collegiate performances when Washington comes to Lincoln this weekend.

Last week's ranking: 24th

14. Darron Thomas, Oregon

Darron Thomas wasted no time making amends for his less-than-stellar Week 1 performance against LSU. Like the No. 12 Ducks as a whole, Thomas rebounded beautifully against Nevada, completing 13-of-19 for 295 yards and six touchdowns while scooting for another 35 yards on three carries in a 69-20 tail-whipping of the Wolfpack.

Think Missouri State will stand much of a chance against Thomas this weekend?

Last week's ranking: not ranked

13. Denard Robinson, Michigan

For the second year in a row, Denard Robinson jumped firmly into the early season race for the Heisman Trophy at the expense of Notre Dame.

This time around, Robinson threw for 338 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions, and rushed for 108 yards with a trip to the end zone.

This was all while leading Michigan to a 28-point fourth quarter in a thrilling 35-31 comeback win over Notre Dame in the first-ever night game at the Big House.

Don't be surprised if Robinson doesn't put up quite such impressive stats this weekend, unless Brady Hoke decides to keep him in longer than necessary while the Wolverines devour Eastern Michigan.

Last week's ranking: not ranked 

12. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

Ryan Tannehill checks in as one of the lucky few who was in the rankings after Week 1, didn't play in Week 2 and still finds himself among the top 25 heading into Week 3.

He'll get his chance to justify his inclusion once more when No. 9 Texas A&M welcomes Idaho to Kyle Field on Saturday.

Last week's ranking: 12th

11. Geno Smith, West Virginia

Say what you want about Norfolk State, but Geno Smith deserves at least a slight bump in the standings for piling up 371 yards and four touchdowns on 20-of-34 passing in No. 18 West Virginia's 55-12 trouncing.

He and the Mountaineers will find the opposition just a tad more difficult when they travel to the "Snake Pit" to play Maryland in Week 3.

Last week's ranking: 13th

10. Tyler Bray, Tennessee

Tyler Bray is the real deal. Tennessee's California kid at quarterback connected on 34 of his 41 throws for a career-high 405 yards and four touchdowns, with a fifth touchdown by foot for good measure, in a 45-23 win against Cincinnati. 

The next edition of "Bray's Anatomy", airing this Saturday from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, will feature the Volunteers and their stellar signal-caller in a conference clash with No. 16 Florida.

Last week's ranking: 17th

9. Matt Barkley, USC

Like the rest of his Trojan teammates, Matt Barkley wasn't quite as good in Week 2 as we've come to expect, but he was just good enough to help USC pull out a 23-14 win over Utah in the inaugural Pac-12 conference clash.

The junior from Newport Beach went 20-for-32 for 264 yards, a touchdown and an interception for the Trojans, who will welcome Syracuse to the Coliseum on Saturday. 

Last week's ranking: seventh

8. Russell Wilson, Wisconsin

Russell Wilson drops a few spots this week, but certainly not for lack of effort.

Wilson was once again wonderful for No. 7 Wisconsin, completing 17-of-21 for 189 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-0 demolition job against Oregon State.

Wilson's decline this week is more a function of the uncommon excellence of others rather than anything wrong on his part. He and the Badgers will likely run up the score once again this week when they meet Northern Illinois at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Last week's ranking: fourth 

7. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

Another week, and another jaw-dropping stat line for Brandon Weeden, professional gunslinger.

Weeden launched a whopping 52 passes, connecting on 43 of them, for 397 yards, two touchdowns and a pick in No. 8 Oklahoma State's 37-14 frolic over Arizona.

He'll have his chance this week to pile up more yardage against Tulsa, just as Oklahoma's Landry Jones did in Week 1.

Last week's ranking: eighth

6. Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Speaking of Landry Jones, he and the No. 1 Sooners took Week 2 off, and for good reason. They'll travel to Tallahassee to take on No. 5 Florida State in a game that will make or break their BCS National Championship hopes and weigh heavily on Jones' Heisman Trophy candidacy.

Last week's ranking: sixth

5. Nick Foles, Arizona

As disappointing as Arizona's 37-14 loss to Oklahoma State was for folks in Tucson, they still have to be happy with what Nick Foles has given them thus far.

Foles showed why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the pass-happy Pac-12, hitting his receivers on 37-of-51 passing for 398 yards and a touchdown, though it wasn't nearly enough to put the "W" back in "Wildcats".

He'll have a chance to put himself in the upper echelon of collegiate signal-callers when Andrew Luck and No. 6 Stanford come to town on Saturday in an epic conference clash.

Last week's ranking: fifth

4. Andrew Luck, Stanford

As for Andrew Luck, he finally had an Andrew Luck-like performance (duh), albeit against lowly Duke, throwing for 290 yards, four touchdowns and one interception on 20-for-28 passing in a 44-14 fricassee of the Blue Devils.

And if you think Brandon Weeden was good against Arizona's defense in Week 2, just wait 'til you see what Luck does to the 'Cats in Week 3.

Last week's ranking: 11th

3. Kellen Moore, Boise State

Kellen Moore gets a free pass for taking the week off, along with the rest of No. 4 Boise State, giving him plenty of time to bask in the glory of the Broncos' big win against Georgia in Week 1.

Now begins Boise's annual romp through a schedule riddled with pushovers and patsies, with (holy) Toledo as the first in line to get spanked.

Last week's ranking: third

2. Robert Griffin III, Baylor

Ditto for Robert Griffin III, with No. 19 Baylor anxiously awaiting a visit from Stephen F. Austin this Saturday.

Last week's ranking: first

1. Case Keenum, Houston

And then there's Case Keenum.

What's there left to say about Case Keenum that hasn't already been said? The guy's a tremendous college quarterback, a true gamer who has come back stronger than ever from a devastating knee injury that brought to an end what was supposed to be a glorious senior season in 2010.

As predicted by yours truly last week, Keenum continued his assault on the NCAA record books by carving up North Texas with Cougar-like precision in Week 2. Keenum compiled 458 yards and five touchdowns on 26-of-41 passing in a 48-23 thrashing of the Mean Green for Houston, giving him his 12th career game with at least 400 yards passing.

If you want to see Keenum state his Case for this year's Heisman Trophy, then be sure to catch the Cougars when they pounce on Louisiana Tech on Saturday.

Last week's ranking: 10th