Week 12 Power Ranking: Quarterbacks in the AP Top 25
If your college football team is in the Top 25 this late in the season, chances are it's had a successful year. And if it has been successful, your team has likely received solid play from the most important position on the field: quarterback.
A good quarterback leads the offense and makes his team go as a leader on and off the field. Without solid quarterback play, it’s nearly impossible to succeed in modern college football these days.
So we looked into the latest Associated Press Top 25 and decided to rank the teams' starting quarterbacks. Where does your quarterback land? Read on to find out.
25. LSU QB Anthony Jennings
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Following a quarterback battle with freshman Brandon Harris that stretched into the season, sophomore Anthony Jennings laid claim to the Tigers starting job. But he has been less than impressive so far. He has 1,266 passing yards and nine touchdowns against six interceptions. He was benched during a blowout loss at Auburn and is completing only 47.1 percent of his passes.
In Saturday’s 20-13 overtime loss to Alabama, Jennings completed only eight of 26 passes for 76 yards with a touchdown and an interception. LSU has improved as the season has worn on, but it has leaned on the run game and defense. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Les Miles opened up the quarterback competition again in spring practice.
24. Wisconsin QB Joel Stave
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Thanks to the incredible Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin has the nation’s No. 5 rushing attack, averaging 325.7 yards rushing per game. And it’s a good thing, because the Badgers have issues at quarterback.
Joel Stave was the starter for much of the last two seasons, but he has split time with Tanner McEvoy this year. He's emerged as the nominal starter, although McEvoy does still see regular action.
Stave missed time earlier this season while dealing with “the yips” and has thrown for 642 yards with five touchdowns against four interceptions, completing 53.8 percent of his passes. When is he most effective? Handing off to Gordon.
23. Utah QB Travis Wilson
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Following a pair of 5-7 seasons, Utah has been one of college football’s most improved teams this season. The Utes’ improvement hasn’t had much to do with quarterback play, however. Junior Travis Wilson has been the starter much of this season, but he didn’t start against Oregon on Saturday.
He entered the game early on after starter Kendal Thompson suffered what was announced as a season-ending leg injury and threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions in the Utes’ 51-27 defeat.
Wilson has thrown for 1,381 yards with 11 touchdowns against two interceptions this season, but his play has been uneven. With Thompson out, he’ll have to improve for Utah to end the season on a high note.
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22. Georgia QB Hutson Mason
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After waiting for three seasons behind Aaron Murray, Georgia quarterback Hutson Mason finally got his chance to start as a senior. The results have been somewhat mixed. Mason has thrown for 1,515 yards with 15 touchdowns against three interceptions, completing 69 percent of his passes. But he has surpassed 200 yards passing in a game only once, going for 319 in the Bulldogs’ loss to Florida.
Georgia ranks No. 96 nationally in passing and has leaned more on its rushing game with tailbacks Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb. If the Bulldogs win the SEC East, it’ll be more about Mason being an efficient caretaker and less about him taking games over with his arm.
21. Nebraska QB Tommy Armstrong Jr.
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In his first full season as a starter, Tommy Armstrong Jr. has been a highly capable starter for Nebraska. He has thrown for 1,827 yards with 13 touchdowns against eight interceptions, and he's also rushed for 571 yards and four touchdowns. He fits in perfectly with the Cornhuskers’ ground-based attack, although he does not yet have a 300-yard passing game this season.
Nebraska is 8-1 and looks like the favorite in the Big Ten West, but the Huskers end the season with road games at Wisconsin and Iowa sandwiched around a visit from an improved Minnesota team. Armstrong will need to play within himself and play smart for Nebraska to survive that tough stretch.
20. Duke QB Anthony Boone
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Don’t look now, but Duke is in position to win its second consecutive ACC Coastal Division title. The Blue Devils are 8-1, and 4-1 in ACC play, and they’ll close the season with a three-game homestand against Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Wake Forest—all winnable games. They’ll need continued strong play from senior quarterback Anthony Boone to achieve those wins.
Boone has improved considerably from last season. After throwing 13 touchdowns against 13 interceptions a year ago, he has been much more efficient in 2014, throwing for 1,789 yards and 14 touchdowns against just four interceptions. He can move the ball through the air or on the ground and has been a crucial leader for the Blue Devils offense.
19. Clemson QB Deshaun Watson
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It’s hard to imagine that there’s a team more excited to get a player back from injury than Clemson is with Deshaun Watson this week. After taking over for senior Cole Stoudt as the Tigers starter, the true freshman tantalized fans by throwing a combined eight touchdowns against one interception in wins over North Carolina and NC State. Clemson’s offense scored 91 points combined in those two games.
However, Watson broke a finger early in a win over Louisville and has missed the last three full games as a result. With Stoudt at the helm, Clemson scored just 90 points total in those games. Stoudt has thrown four touchdowns against four interceptions in that stretch.
With Florida State in position for a College Football Playoff berth, Clemson is in position to take FSU’s place as the ACC’s Orange Bowl representative. To do so, the Tigers must beat Georgia Tech and South Carolina, and they’ll need Watson to be healthy and at his best for those games.
18. Georgia Tech QB Justin Thomas
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Last January, starting quarterback Vad Lee’s sudden transfer thrust Justin Thomas into the spotlight at Georgia Tech. It was a big responsibility: In the Yellow Jackets’ flexbone option offense, the quarterback is the most important player.
Thomas has played like a veteran. He has proved to be adept at running the offense, throwing for 1,294 yards with 14 touchdowns against four interceptions while also serving as the Jackets’ leading rusher with 781 yards and five touchdowns.
Tech averages 335.6 rushing yards per game, third-best nationally. That's a sign the system is running smoothly with Thomas in charge. The Yellow Jackets are 8-2 and face an important showdown this week when Clemson comes to town. They’ve already surpassed 2013’s win total as well.
17. Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson
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Colorado State is enjoying an excellent season, with a 9-1 record that has helped it crack the Top 25. The Rams are good at throwing the ball, and senior quarterback Garrett Grayson leads the way. Grayson has thrown for 3,024 yards with 26 touchdowns against just five interceptions.
He is the latest quarterback to learn from the tutelage of coach Jim McElwain, who was Alabama’s offensive coordinator before coming to Colorado State. Grayson is completing 65.6 percent of his passes and is on pace to improve on his impressive junior season numbers (3,696 yards, 23 touchdowns, 11 interceptions).
16. Kansas State QB Jake Waters
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Although Saturday’s 41-20 loss to TCU likely ended Kansas State’s hopes of a College Football Playoff bid, the Wildcats are still strongly in contention for a Big 12 championship with road games left against West Virginia and Baylor.
They’ll need strong play from senior quarterback Jake Waters, an important offensive leader. Waters emerged as the starting quarterback a year ago and has had a solid season as a dual-threat QB. He has 2,169 yards passing with 13 touchdowns against four interceptions and is also K-State’s second-leading rusher, with 406 yards and seven scores. He isn’t necessarily flashy, but Waters gets the job done when it’s needed.
15. Arizona State QB Taylor Kelly
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Saturday’s 55-31 whipping of then-No. 10 Notre Dame put Arizona State in strong contention for a College Football Playoff berth, and senior quarterback Taylor Kelly was a big part of that win. He has put up efficient, if not flashy, numbers—1,234 passing yards and 12 touchdowns against three interceptions this season.
His numbers are down from his sophomore and junior seasons (he surpassed 3,000 passing yards both seasons), but Kelly did miss three games this year with a foot injury. He has a strong arm and is capable of making all the throws in Todd Graham’s offense but has not thrown for more than 238 yards in a game this season.
14. Arizona QB Anu Solomon
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Following a redshirt season, Anu Solomon emerged as Arizona’s quarterback in preseason camp, and he hasn’t disappointed coach Rich Rodriguez. Solomon has thrived in the Wildcats’ fast-paced attack, throwing for 2,816 yards and 25 touchdowns against just five picks. He also has 304 yards rushing.
Solomon threw for 425 yards in the season opener against UNLV and went for 520 against Cal, winning the game on a final-play Hail Mary. He has a strong arm, is mobile and will only get better with experience. That’s great for the Wildcats, but not so much for the rest of the Pac-12 South.
13. Ole Miss QB Bo Wallace
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Although he is the most experienced quarterback in the SEC, Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace doesn’t always play like it. His inconsistency can be frustrating. Although Wallace has completed over 70 percent of his passes in his last two games, that followed a two-game stretch in which he completed 46.4 and 42.4 percent of his attempts.
With Ole Miss trailing 10-7 late and in field-goal range at LSU, Wallace forced a pass that was intercepted, dealing a huge blow to the Rebels’ College Football Playoff hopes. Although Ole Miss is unlikely to make a playoff bid or even win the SEC West, the Egg Bowl showdown against Mississippi State will be huge regardless. Wallace has surpassed 300 yards passing four times this season, and the Rebels will need his best game against the Bulldogs.
12. Marshall QB Rakeem Cato
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Wonder who the best quarterback is that you probably haven’t seen? It’s Marshall senior Rakeem Cato. Cato has played a huge role in Marshall’s 9-0 start: The Thundering Herd are a strong favorite to win the Conference USA title with an undefeated regular season.
Cato has thrown for 2,316 yards and 22 touchdowns against six interceptions. He's also added 347 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. He could stand to be more accurate, as he is only completing 58.7 percent of his passes. But Cato has shown what it takes to pile up victories and should get a shot at the next level.
11. Notre Dame QB Everett Golson
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Although Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson has had some great moments this season, he has been a bit too inconsistent for coach Brian Kelly’s tastes. In Saturday’s 55-31 loss at Arizona State, Golson threw for 446 yards but had four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. He also fumbled to set up the Sun Devils' first touchdown.
Kelly wasn't pleased, per USA Today's Dan Wolken.
"It's one of those deals where you take one step forward and two steps back and he comes back in the second half and does some really good things. He's got to strive for consistency. If he plays clean in the first half, who knows where we'd be right now.
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He has taken a step forward as a passer this season, throwing for 2,757 yards with 24 touchdowns against 11 picks. Last week against Navy, he became the first Notre Dame player ever to throw for three touchdowns and rush for three touchdowns in the same game. But for Notre Dame to take the next step back to being a national title contender, Golson must be a smarter passer.
10. Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett
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J.T. Barrett was unexpectedly thrust into Ohio State’s starting quarterback role this fall when senior Braxton Miller was forced to redshirt with a shoulder injury. He had a difficult start (completing only nine of 29 passes with a touchdown and three interceptions in OSU’s home loss to Virginia Tech) but has improved with every week.
Barrett was excellent in the Buckeyes’ 49-37 win at Michigan State, throwing for 300 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions while rushing for 86 yards and two touchdowns. He is more than capable of hurting you with his legs, as his 582 rushing yards and eight rushing scores attest to. He has 26 touchdowns against seven interceptions with 2,156 passing yards on the season.
Right now, the biggest question is this: Will Miller get his job back when he returns next fall? If Barrett keeps improving like this, that’s a very interesting topic for Urban Meyer and Co. to think about.
9. Auburn QB Nick Marshall
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With Saturday’s stunning 41-38 home loss to Texas A&M, Auburn has fallen out of the College Football Playoff race, and a good portion of the blame can be pointed at senior quarterback Nick Marshall. The Tigers blew a pair of key fourth-quarter scoring opportunities, both on Marshall fumbles (one on a botched zone-read handoff to tailback Cameron Artis-Payne and the other a fumbled snap).
That said, Marshall has played a key role in the Tigers’ renewed success of the past two seasons. This season, he has thrown for 1,576 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. He's also rushed for 698 yards and 11 touchdowns as Auburn’s second-leading rusher. He can beat defenses with his arm or his legs, and he’ll be a handful for Georgia and Alabama to contain in the Tigers’ key showdowns this month.
8. Alabama QB Blake Sims
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When this season began, Florida State transfer Jake Coker was the favorite to win Alabama’s open quarterback position, not senior and career backup Blake Sims. But Sims started every game and officially claimed the job as his own with a 445-yard effort against Florida.
He has had ups and downs (that was his only 300-yard effort of the season) but has largely been steady enough, throwing 17 touchdowns against just three interceptions for 2,243 yards. Saturday night, he struggled for much of the game at LSU but led a late drive that wound up in a field goal. Those three points forced overtime, and Alabama eventually won the game 20-13, keeping its College Football Playoff hopes alive.
The Crimson Tide have two huge games left on their schedule against No. 1 Mississippi State and No. 9 Auburn. They will need Sims’ cool hand to finish off their playoff bid successfully.
7. Michigan State QB Connor Cook
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Saturday’s 49-37 loss to Ohio State knocked Michigan State out of the College Football Playoff and likely the Big Ten title chase, but it certainly wasn’t the fault of junior quarterback Connor Cook.
Cook has developed into the top quarterback in the Big Ten this season, throwing for 2,226 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. Saturday, he threw for 358 yards with two touchdowns against no picks.
He is a highly confident passer with excellent touch on both short and long passes, and Cook has been a great leader for the Spartans offense. He’ll be a strong Heisman Trophy candidate next fall.
6. UCLA QB Brett Hundley
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UCLA hasn’t quite lived up to expectations this season. Touted as a dark-horse College Football Playoff contender during the preseason, the Bruins never made that leap. But at 8-2, they’re still in the mix for the Pac-12 South title, with games left against crosstown rival Southern California and Stanford.
Junior quarterback Brett Hundley has played a major role in that success. He has thrown for 2,547 yards with 17 touchdowns against four interceptions and is also the Bruins’ second-leading rusher, with 564 yards and seven touchdowns. He can hurt a defense with both his arm and legs, making him a nightmare for linebackers to handle.
He has improved from a year ago too. As a sophomore, Hundley completed 67.2 percent of his passes. This season, it’s 72.1 percent. Hundley nearly left for the NFL following last season and has stated that this season will be his last in Westwood. Chris Foster of the Los Angeles Times says he is ready. The team that drafts him will get a polished, exciting player.
5. Baylor QB Bryce Petty
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Following Saturday’s 48-14 demolition of Oklahoma, Baylor is back in the mix for the Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff spot. The Bears offense averages 50.1 points per game, No. 1 nationally, and senior quarterback Bryce Petty is the engine that makes it go.
Petty has 2,421 passing yards and 21 touchdowns against three interceptions and has been at his best when his team needs him most. He threw for 510 yards and six scores in leading a 24-point fourth-quarter comeback against TCU and completed a career-high 32 passes for 387 yards at Oklahoma. Petty is mobile and has a strong arm, and he is the Bears’ offensive leader. He’ll be a key piece of any College Football Playoff run.
4. TCU QB Trevone Boykin
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Trevone Boykin has bounced between wide receiver and quarterback in his collegiate career, but he won TCU’s starting quarterback role after the Horned Frogs installed a spread offense this fall. What a move that has been.
Boykin has emerged as one of the nation’s best quarterbacks and helped turn TCU into a College Football Playoff contender. TCU averages 47.2 points per game, third-best nationally. Those big numbers are due in large part to Boykin's explosiveness. He has thrown for 2,691 yards, 23 touchdowns and four interceptions while also rushing for 546 yards and seven touchdowns.
He has four 300-yard passing games and a pair of 400-yard games, including a 433-yard, seven-touchdown effort in TCU’s 82-27 rout of Texas Tech. Boykin runs well, throws well and is emerging as a Heisman Trophy candidate. Rightfully so.
3. Florida State QB Jameis Winston
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This season, Florida State sophomore Jameis Winston has earned far more attention for his off-field exploits than his performance on it. This week, the biggest story surrounding him regarded his lawyer’s request to delay an FSU student conduct hearing connected to 2013 sexual assault allegations, which was originally scheduled for next week.
On the field, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner has taken a step backward. He has thrown for 2,540 yards with 17 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and has four games with multiple interceptions. By contrast, a year ago, Winston threw for 40 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions.
Still, he is best when the odds are stacked against him. He has twice led FSU back from huge road deficits (17 points at NC State, 21 at Louisville) for wins and led a late scoring drive to defeat then-No. 5 Notre Dame. FSU is firmly on track to make the College Football Playoff, and Winston will lead the way even if he isn't performing at the same level as last year.
2. Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott
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Mississippi State’s rise from SEC West also-ran to the nation’s top team is one of the best stories of the 2014 college football season, and a huge part of the Bulldogs’ evolution has been junior quarterback Dak Prescott.
Prescott has taken a huge step forward in his game this season, throwing for 2,231 yards and 18 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He is also MSU’s No. 2 rusher with 779 yards and 11 touchdowns.
He has four 100-yard rushing games and three games with multiple rushing touchdowns. He has drawn comparisons to Tim Tebow, only with a better arm, and is a prime Heisman Trophy candidate. NFL.com's Gil Brandt says he is a "much better pro prospect" than Tebow was.
He’ll have a huge showcase this week when MSU travels to No. 4 Alabama, and Prescott will lead the charge for a College Football Playoff berth.
1. Oregon QB Marcus Mariota
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Oregon is in prime position to make the College Football Playoff, and it is impossible to understate Marcus Mariota’s importance in the Ducks’ push. Mariota has developed into college football’s best quarterback this season. He has thrown for 2,780 yards, 29 touchdowns and just two—two—interceptions while completing 67.1 percent of his passes.
He also has 524 rushing yards (second-best on Oregon’s roster) and eight rushing scores. In addition, Mariota has improved his yards per attempt and completion percentage from a year ago.
He moves very well in the pocket, can throw on the run and is very elusive with an excellent downfield passing touch. He is the clear top candidate for the Heisman Trophy, and he possesses a quiet leadership style that is "more show than tell," as the Associated Press' Ralph Russo (h/t NCAA.com) says. But he has bigger trophies than the Heisman to chase. If Oregon wins the national title, it will have Mariota to thank.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
