College Football 2012:Top 25 Programs & Their QB Relationship Status on Facebook

It could be solidly argued that there is no single position on a football team possessing the potential impact than that of the role of QB.

Often known as the “field general” the QB can mean the difference between a great season (i.e. LSU in 2011) and a national championship season (i.e. Alabama in 2011).

Although you can hardly completely pin the blame of losing on one guy, or credit an entire winning campaign to another the QB position is often the lynch pin on which the success of the team turns.

So, what if each of the top college football programs had a Facebook page that listed their relationship status with their QB?

Yes, what if this all important liaison between QB and team was rated using the Facebook relationship grading scheme for the entire world to see?

The following slideshow utilizes this provocative line of thought and provides the reader with a QB relationship status for each of the Top 25 teams coming into 2012.

Its social networking delicately combined with the unknowns of the offseason and then stirred, for your pleasure, into a far-fetched cocktail that somehow makes a lot of sense.

As a note the Top 25 utilized for this list comes via a “Way Too Early Top 25” published on Bleacher Report in February by the same author who penned this delightful presentation.

25. Oklahoma State

QB Relationship Status: In a new relationship.

Incoming junior Clint Chelf looks to be the guy who will take over as the Cowboy’s steady QB rendezvous after Brandon Weeden’s triumphant send off to the NFL.

Chelf has big shoes to fill as does the entire 2012 Oklahoma State squad, but if it can continue hurling the ball through the air all the way to victory, then he could be the next fellow with an engagement ring on his finger.

24. Virginia Tech

QB RelationshipStatus: In a relationship.

Sometimes a good “running buddy” has the ability to help spur a serious relationship to the next level.

That’s exactly what Virginia Tech’s RB David Wilson did for sophomore QB Logan Thomas as he experienced his first season as a starter in 2011.

Without Wilson, who has declared for the 2012 draft, Thomas will be faced to keep the love alive on his own this coming season, but this is a guy with all the skills (and the defense) to keep an affair as steamy as any on this provocative list.

23. Clemson

QB Relationship Status: Engaged.

Clemson’s impending nuptials with Tajh Boyd could be as tumultuous as his first season under center, but if athletic ability and maturity rule supreme these star crossed lovers could be at the altar before the 2013 season kicks off.

Getting engaged early on is always problematic and so is trying to repeat an ACC title and BCS berth season as only a junior signal caller.

22. Florida

QB Relationship Status: Single but eager to commit.

The Gators have finally finished with John Brantley and now are looking at whether to start up a fling with either Jacoby Brissett or Jeff Driskel who both possess the qualities necessary for a long-term passing affair.

The role of matchmaker in Gainesville has changed from Charlie Weis to Brent Pease, who just finished orchestrating Boise State’s long-term relationship with Kellen Moore, making the Florida love triangle even more intriguing.

21. Kansas State

QB Relationship Status: Married.

In 2011, Collin Klein literally ran his way into the hearts of Kansas State enthusiasts.

Indeed, what began as a mild “in a relationship” status zoomed quickly ahead to “engaged” and then climaxed at “married.”

Yep, it’s pretty easy to fall for a guy when he throws for 13 TDs, rushes for 27 more all the way to a 10-win season and a second place finish in the Big 12.

In 2012, look for the Love Boat to continue to sail right through the heart of Manhattan, Kan., with Bill Snyder and Collin Klein posing together on the ship’s stern a la Titanic style.

20. Wisconsin

QB Relationship Status: Single

After productive and loving relationships with Scott Tolzien and then Russell Wilson, Wisconsin finds itself single for the first time in years.

Bucky the Badger has been seen having drinks on State Street with Jon Budmayr, Joe Brennan and Curt Phillips who is back on the dating scene after recovering from a knee injury.

Wisconsin’s spring and fall practices ought to be a bit like an episode or two of The Bachelorette with markedly higher stakes.

19. TCU

QB Relationship Status: In a relationship.

TCU’s relationship with incoming junior Casey Pachall has all the signs of turning into a long-term commitment not unlike the wedded bliss the Frogs enjoyed with Andy Dalton.

Yes, Pachall and his now mature Toads look to have all the right moves to keep things fresh, new and full of victory.

But can this steamy affair survive a trip to the pass happy Big 12?

18. Auburn

QB Relationship Status: In a relationship.

Auburn’s QB relationship with incoming sophomore Kiehl Frazier is only in its early stages, but this is one budding bond that truly has the potential to blossom into a more mature connection.

The Tigers will be older and wiser in 2012 and stacked with the essential talent to make Frazier a household name.

17. Notre Dame

QB Relationship Status: It’s complicated.

Perhaps the most complex QB situation in the country (and that’s good for a national media hungry like the wolf for Irish-centric stories), Notre Dame has a “Dating Game” scenario of hopeful lovers to be.

Whether it’s Tommy Rees, Andrew Hendrix, Gunner Kiel or Everett Golson, the Irish’s match-making forays at QB will be key to whether or not they can ascend to the next level in 2012.

The problem with this many potential bridegrooms is that whomever gets the nod will be playing under the very real pressure of “if you screw up, we’re sleeping with someone else.”

16. Stanford

QB Relationship Status: On the rebound.

It’s hard to imagine the fall from ecstasy to agony that Stanford folks felt when the final whistle blew signaling the end of Andrew Luck’s storied career as the Cardinal signal caller.

Yes, even though they saw the end coming it had to be difficult to watch it finish…especially with a bizarre loss to Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Despite the feeling of loss, the singular Cardinal is out hitting the singles’ bars in search of their next love match under center, and though Brett Nottingham has been sent the most boxes of chocolates and was seen wearing a corsage to the dance guys like Josh Nunes, Robbie Picazo, Evan Cower and Kevin Hogan have also received high marks from a local dating service.

Watching another guy take snaps this fall will be bittersweet for Stanford enthusiasts but as the old adage declares it is “better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.”

Amen.

15. Michigan State

QB Relationship Status: In a new relationship.

After three years with Kirk Cousins as their “one and only” everyone’s favorite green clad warrior has finally begun a long planned affair with Andrew Maxwell of Midland, Mich.

Maxwell has seen limited action as Cousins’ back-up over the last two seasons, and he’ll need what should be another top-ranked Spartan D to give him time to get used to wearing some pretty big shoes.

As only an incoming junior, he’ll have a little extra time to get the Green and the White to drop down on one knee and swear forever.

14. Nebraska

QB Relationship Status: Still in a relationship.

 Many Husker aficionados will point to woes at the receiver position to explain why their relationship with Taylor Martinez still hasn’t flourished into the “real deal.”

You can’t deny Martinez’ skills but his completion rate and QB rating both took a hit in 2012 vs. 2011, meaning that either he’ll finally mature and triumph in his junior or senior seasons or, perhaps, the liaison will never reach the front of the church.

13. Texas

QB Relationship Status: Polygamous

Ever since Colt McCoy rode off into the Cleveland sunset, two-timing has been the Longhorns QB M.O.

First there was Garrett Gilbert who flourished, floundered and handed the rock off to the youthful duo of David Ash and Case McCoy who continue to duke it out for the starting role.

Recent reports indicate that 2012 will spell another year of the rotating QB system in Austin meaning that polygamy is still the best way of identifying the Longhorns’ relationship status on the world of Facebook.

12. South Carolina

QB Relationship Status: In a relationship.

There will be a lot less talk about who will or should be under center for the Cocks this Fall with Stephen Garcia gone clearing the way for incoming junior Connor Shaw to have the starting job free and clear.

Shaw, Spurrier and South Carolina look to be on the verge of a bigger commitment and the word on the street is that the Cocks official jeweler has taken down Shaw’s ring finger size just in case…

11. West Virginia

QB Relationship Status: Engaged.

The good thing about ending the previous season on a very high note (that’s a 70-33 trouncing of Clemson in the Orange Bowl if you are West Virginia) is that it paints the future a very pretty color.

Yes, how can you not feel good about your relationship with your QB when he just threw for 407 yards and six TDs in the Orange Bowl?

Geno Smith enters his senior season as a Mountaineer in as good as position as anyone to have his relationship status on Facebook upgraded to “married.”

It’s important to note, of course, that QB marriage licenses are markedly more difficult to obtain down in the pass happy Big 12.

10. Oregon

QB Relationship Status: Newly single but recently hooked up.

Oregon had the misfortune of getting the dreaded, “Dear John, I’m going to the NFL Draft…” letter in the mail from Darron Thomas who declared for draft relatively late.

The jovial duck was immediately seen sharing cocktails and a cozy booth with incoming sophomore Bryan Bennett from Encino, Calif., who saw limited action in 2011 as a back-up.

Bennett looks to be Oregon’s next main squeeze but stay tuned to Chip Kelly’s Facebook page and your News Feed for developments as they unfold. 

9. Ohio State

QB Relationship Status: In a relationship.

The first year of the Buckeye’s affair with the young and talented Braxton Miller was tumultuous but showed lots of promise for future happiness.

Miller completed only 54 percent of his passing attempts in 2011, and if he wants to entertain thoughts of matrimony in the newly dawning Urban Meyer era, he’ll need to ramp it up to get the diamond ring on his finger.

8. Arkansas

QB Relationship Status: Married

Playing ball in the ultra competitive SEC West can somewhat dilute the fact that you’re a great football player.

Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson is that type of an outstanding player and will have a shot at the Heisman in his senior season if the Hogs can find a way to be a legitimate contender in a stacked SEC.

Wilson and the Hogs are blissfully united and hopeful that in 2012 the better will far outweigh the worse.

7. Florida State

QB Relationship Status:  Looking at rings.

Whether he goes to Jared or instead opts for the Kay Jewelers at the Tallahassee Mall, Jimbo Fisher will be ring shopping if EJ Manuel and the Seminoles can fulfill the promise they showed coming into 2011 in 2012.

Yes, if Manuel can stay healthy this is one status that could be upgraded to “engaged” quicker than Chief Osceola can sink his fiery spear into the turf.

If not, look for more mature relationships to be delved into with Clint Trickett or Jameis Winston.

6. Michigan

QB Relationship Status: Married

Coming into his senior season, Denard Robinson can go to bed each night and be pretty darn sure that he’s the only QB in the Wolverine’s hearts (at least for 2012).

A lot of high hopes will be riding on this relationship staying strong including a first Big Ten conference title since 2004.

Hopefully marriage counselors won’t need to be called in early on for the aftermath of the Week 1 blockbuster meeting between Robinson and Michigan and McCarron and Alabama.

Nothing to see here folks—just a couple of old married couples going at each other…

5. Georgia

QB Relationship Status: Engaged

Georgia and Aaron Murray will tie the knot in 2012 if he and they can finally capture the Bulldogs' first SEC crown since 2005.

Although Murray is wearing a huge engagement ring, don’t expect Mark Richt to book the VFW Hall for the reception until Georgia takes care of South Carolina in Columbia on Oct. 6.

4. Oklahoma

QB Relationship Status: In a relationship with a back-up plan.

On the surface, the Sooners and Landry Jones seem ultra committed coming into his senior season in Norman.

But, this is a team that was expected to be in the running for the national title last season and who instead settled for a 9-3 regular season record and a bid to the Insight Bowl.

And this is a team with a QB that looked shaky after WR Ryan Broyles went down for the season during the Texas A&M game on Nov. 5.

Yes, Jones is still “the man” in Norman, but he’s still a guy who threw five picks in the Sooners last three regular season games, two of which were losses to Baylor and Oklahoma State.

The relationship situation becomes even more intriguing when you remember that beefcake-esque Blake Bell (6’ 6”, 245 pounds) is waiting in the wings as an alternative date to the prom.

The status of this relationship should look rock solid through the first two weeks of the season with games at UTEP and then at home vs. FCS Florida A&M.

After that, if Oklahoma, who should be a Top 10 team preseason, starts to falter, look for Bob Stoops to at least check out his status options on the Sooners’ Facebook profile page.

3. Alabama

QB Relationship Status: Married

It’s hard to find a commitment more meaningful and rock solid than that which exists betwixt the reigning national champions and their young returning starting QB.

McCarron will be a junior in 2012, and if he continues to mature and flourish while Alabama dominates, look for him to have an opportunity to bring a Heisman into the relationship into next two years.

2. LSU

Relationship Status: In a relationship.

After trying to get it on with highly touted recruit Gunner Kiel only to lose out to the smooth pick-up lines of Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly, LSU looks to be destined for at least a short-term relationship with former Georgia recruit Zach Mettenberger.

If Mettenberger succeeds in leading the stacked Tigers to the Promised Land in 2012, look for the status of this relationship to be upgraded to the heights of “engaged” and “married” quicker than Les Miles can wolf down some landscape products.

1. USC

QB Relationship Status: Married.

For better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in victory and in defeat, the People of Troy are seriously hooked up with the flaxen haired gunslinger Matt Barkley.

Indeed, Barkley has the skills, the stats and the supporting cast necessary to lead USC’s chariot atop the slippery slope required to dethrone the SEC as champions of the world.

Although the future is bright and the wooden horse has just been freshly shellacked, everybody knows that a star studded marriage is more difficult to keep on track in L.A. than anywhere else in these U.S.’s of A.