College Football Predictions: Ranking the Big Ten's Best QBs

 In what will be the last season of Big Ten Football before "Big Red" invades a stadium near you, it is going to be a conference of football that is going to be very exciting for whatever team you cheer for.

With four teams ranked in the preseason top 15; the Big Ten is going to have the attention of the nation on each game every Saturday because of the conference,and for that matter national championship glory hangs in the balance.

Each team heads into the 2010 campaign fully loaded with talented and qualified leaders for their respected teams.

Some of these quarterbacks have gained national attention in the form of preseason hype, and award watches. Others have simply waited in the brushes ready to upset the big dogs, and make a name for themselves.

Regardless, each of these quarterbacks are playing for one thing, and that is to win the conference title for their schools.

Gentlemen, start your engines.

No. 11, Nathan Scheelhaase Illinois Fighting Illini

In what can only be described as a "win or go home" year for Ron Zook. The Illini's coach is turning to a young quarterback in Nathan Scheelhaase to bring back some of the magic found a few years ago with the Rose Bowl appearance.

Scheelhaase has not gotten a lot of meaningful playing time under center in his short collegiate career, but was a highly-touted player coming out of Missouri a few short years ago.

Senior WR/QB Eddie McGee is also available to play the position, but it is Scheelhaase's job to lose.

Scheelhaase has many of the dual-threat qualities that could be seen in his predecessor Juice Williams. Illini fans are hoping that Scheelhaase can have more consistent success than Juice did.

The young quarterback will have to learn quickly as the "Arch Rivalry Game" against a talented Mizzou Tigers team lurks ever closer.

Also, the game against Northwestern at Wrigley Field will be another neutral site test that will be a very important game for Illinois.

Relax Illini fans the future looks bright for Scheelhaase. The system fits his assets, but time will tell who his coach will be after this season, here's to hoping they perform well, and Zook doesn't get canned.

Top 90 NCAA Quarterback

Future Draft Prediction: Third Round

NFL Comparison: Tavaris Jackson

No. 10, Kevin Newsome Penn State Nittany Lions

The quarterback position will be the most important piece of the puzzle for the Nittany Lions season in 2010.

They are replacing one of the best signal-callers in school history in current CFL player Daryll Clark. It appears that the successor to the throne will be top recruit sophomore Kevin Newsome.

Newsome backed up Clark last season, and was able to play a little outside of the big games (LSU, Iowa, Ohio State).

His athletic ability is not questioned as his overall athleticism is hard to rival in the conference. His lack of big-game experience could be his downfall.  However,as many talented quarterbacks have been known to be rattled in hostile environments.

Newsome was ranked the 4th best duel QB coming out of high school, and was ranked as the ninth best player in the state of Virginia.

He has some high expectations like all PSU QB’s have, however in time he has the talent to become an All-Big Ten quarterback.

He has an underrated group of wideouts, so if he can throw the ball on the run with accuracy then he may exceed any first year expectations that have been put on him. Evan Royster will also be in his backfield which will make his progression even easier.

The quarterback that is on Newsome's heels is Matt McGloin.

Not a blue-chipper like Newsome, McGloin has placed himself in the position to be a viable option for Joe Paterno's offense this season. His pocket presence could come in handy when Penn State goes to play Alabama on the road; which is the second game of the season.

Top 90 NCAA Quarterback

Future NFL Draft Prediction: Third Round

NFL Comparison: Jason Campbell

No. 9, Dan Persa Northwestern Wildcats

Dan Persa is a player that truly has earned his position as the quarterback of the Wildcats.

Not given the role as a big-time recruit, Persa went from redshirting, to third-string, to back-up, and finally this season  the reins are given to him. He will try to accomplish something that Northwestern fans have wanted for so long.

Get a Bowl Victory.

Persa did very well against the toughest of opponents last season as he played consistent against Penn State in a loss, and was a key contributor to the shocking upset of the undefeated Hawkeyes in Iowa City.

I have Northwestern going 8-4 this season, so Persa has to be somewhat successful. Persa has a few reliable targets in TE Drake Dunsmore, and receiver Sidney Stewart. Those guys will have big years  this season.

If Persa wants to go bonkers this season, he will have to be able to tuck it and run because, the running game has no reliable personal going into the season opener against Vanderbilt.

He has also gotten the complete trust of his coach Pat Fitzgerald as he has been compared to former Wildcat QB Zak Kustok, who led the team to a Big Ten Title in 2000.

Top 90 NCAA Quarterback

NFL Draft Prediction: Undrafted

NFL Comparison: Zak Kustok

No. 8, Adam Weber Minnesota Golden Gophers

It has been a roller coaster ride for experienced veteran Adam Weber of Tim Brewster's Golden Gophers.

He has had: good, bad, and injury-filled seasons in his tenure in Minneapolis.

His best year was during his sophomore campaign when he was one of the most dynamic signal-callers in the entire conference. A shoulder injury before last season contributed to a lackluster campaign, despite Weber leading the Golden Gophers to a Bowl game.

One of the good things that Weber has going for him this season is his entire line is returning to protect him this season, and he will need it. Weber and Brewster also must have been hoping that Minnesota-native, and top recruit Seantrel Henderson would stay at home, but he decided it was "all about the U".

Overall, Weber has never had a lot help on offense, and literally no help on defense despite going to two bowl games.

Weber has a chance to get signed as a free agent after the draft if he continues to improve on his arm strength, and simply finding the open target.

Top 40 College Quarterback

NFL Draft Prediction: Undrafted

NFL Comparison: Matt Flynn

No. 7, Ben Chappell Indiana Hoosiers

One of the senior quarterbacks that will be looked upon to provide leadership to his team, Ben Chappell is poised to have a very good season statistically.

Chappell has already proved himself to be one of the best passers in all the entire conference. His performance has also lead to some preseason hype as he was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List.

He is definitely aided by talented skill players around him this year in receivers Damarlo Belcher, and Terrence Turner. Also, tailback Darius Willis will give the Hoosier "O" more punch.

Chappell is also going into his third season as the starting quarterback in the spread offense, so it would be no surprise if he is among the top three in yards and touchdowns this season.

TOP 50 NCAA Quarterback

NFL Draft Prediction: Undrafted

NFL Comparison: A.J. Feeley

No. 6, Tate Forcier Michigan Wolverines

Early last season before Michigan had there enormous struggles in Big Ten play they were undefeated, and Tate Foricer was receiving Heisman hype.

Rich Rodriguez had found a quarterback that could  run his spread offense in a proficient manner. Eventually Forcier and fellow quarterback Denard Robinson ran into struggles, but it was a good learning experience for both of them.

Settling down, and understanding  the progression and speed of the game should be something that Foricer adapts to much better this year.

The Michigan State game last season was a summary of not only Michigan’s season, but also of Tate Forcier year. Forcier forced a ball on 3rd and 8 from the Sparty 8 yard line. He just threw a ball up for grabs as if he knew his defense was not going to stop  MSU when they had the ball.

A young QB needs to understand that you are better off tucking it and running it, or just better off throwing it away to live to fight another down/day.

Mechanically he throws a good ball for a somewhat short quarterback. 

He does however, has that winner’s  mentality, and hopefully he can get into a bowl game to further his development.

This is a very intriguing year for Michigan as there fan base is not happy about the outcomes of the last two seasons.

Tate Forcier, and Denard Robinson's play will go along way in seeing if the maize and blue will return to glory.

Top 60 NCAA Quarterback

NFL Draft Prediction: Fourth Round

NFL Comparison: Alex Smith

No. 5, Robert Marve Purdue Boilermakers

The former Cane has gone through a lot the past few seasons. But, with his anticipated debut to "Boiler Nation" he is hoping to change his perception.

Marve has the talent to be a big time quarterback in the conference, and going to the "cradle of quarterbacks" at Purdue should make him a household name for Big Ten enthusiasts very early into the season.

He has arguably the best receiver in the Big Ten in Keith Smith as his reliable target. The defense will not allow Marve to relax because,  they are among the worst in the Big Ten. He has a solid offense, and a nice up-and- coming Head Coach in Dan Hope.

What does this all mean in terms of this season for Marve and the Boilermakers?

It should be expected that Marve will make an immediate impact, and you will see Purdue in a bowl. In January would be a stretch at this point, but maybe the Drew Brees magic can rub off on his alma mater.

Top 60 NCAA Quarterback

NFL Draft Prediction" Fourth Rounder

NFL Comparison: Jeff Garcia

No. 4, Kirk Cousins Michigan State Spartans

The QB that replaced Brian Hoyer as the starter last season, Kirk Cousins has solidified himself as a top-quality quarterback in the conference.

He had flashes of brilliance throughout last season as Cousins, and the Spartans had many close calls, but in many instances could not put teams away.

His final 80 yard, two minute drive against Notre Dame on September 19th was remarkable; until the final pass was intercepted in a 33-30 loss.

He finished the season on a bad note completing only 13-27 passes for 220 yards with only 1 TD and 2 INT’s against Texas Tech in the Alamo Bowl. Though they ran for 148 yards in that game, he still struggled against a mediocre defense.

He has four targets who will get looked at by scouts in BJ Cunningham, Mark Dell, Keshawn Martin, and TE Charlie Gantt.

The key for Cousins and Sparty is that this is that he does not have a standout running back to complement him, and he must pick up the slack in the leadership department.

He is a quarterback that has a NFL release and is cool under pressure; which is such an important intangible that cannot be measured.

Top 40 NCAA Quarterback

NFL Draft Prediction: Fifth Round

NFL Comparison: Matt Moore

No. 3, Scott Tolzien Wisconsin Badgers

The second and third position of this list were very hard to determine because Tolzien, and frankly most quarterbacks are going to have great success with the line that Wisconsin is expected to have this year.

Tolzien is average in the Big Ten in terms of overall talent, but as history has shown talent is one of many flavors that makes quarterback soup taste good..At the end of last season he somehow  torched Miami in the Champs Sports Bowl for 260 yards.

Not only a great leader on the field, he is known  for his great slant route passes he throws to his tight end Lance Kendricks all day (See Miami game). He also has a Doak Walker and Heisman hopeful at running back in John Clay, and a explosive wide receiver in Nick Toon which makes him look better than he probably really is.

Two weekends in October will cement Tolzein's legacy in Madison, as has to stand up to the challenge of Adrian Clayborn, and the Hawkeyes as well as Cameron Heyward and the Buckeyes.

If Tolzein can lead the Badgers to the conference title he can join Brooks Bollinger, and never have to pay for a beer again in the state of Wisconsin.

23rd Ranked NCAA Quarterback

NFL Draft Prediction: Seventh Round

NFL Comparison: Jake Delhomme

No. 2, Ricky Stanzi Iowa Hawkeyes

Stanzi "the Manzi" could be the most beloved person in Iowa outside of Kirk Ferentz right now. As he said after his Orange Bowl about America, "If you don't love it...leave it".

That's somebody that a team can rally behind, and the Hawkeyes did. Ever since his winning-effort against No. 2 Penn State two seasons ago Stanzi has been the heart and soul of a brooding and tough Hawkeyes team.

It is expected this in his senior season; in which he looks to finish his career among the great Hawkeye signal-callers such as Drew Tate and Chuck Long in the record books, that he could bring the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten title, and dare I say National Title appearance.

He does not have a very strong arm, so his accuracy is vital when testing secondaries. Stanzi must improve on learning to just throw the ball away instead of forcing it to his targets.

Making better reads at the line, and learning more about opposing defenses is another must if he expects to be All- Big Ten this year.

Coming back this year he has a  abundance of talent at the skill positions with the "Hydra" at running back in Robinson, Wegher, and Hampton.

Marvin McNutt and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos are NFL-caliber receivers, which Stanzi will use to strech the field often.

Stanzi looks to finish his career 3-0 against the NIttany Lions, and possibly win the Big Ten Title when he plays the team from his home state in the Buckeyes.

My 15th Ranked NCAA Quarterback

NFL Draft Prediction: Fifth Round

NFL Comparison: Kyle Orton

No. 1, Terrelle Pryor Ohio State Buckeyes

19-3 as a starter through only full season as a starting quarterback is not too shabby. Terrelle took over duties after the pounding the Buckeyes took by the top ranked Trojans in September of 2008.

Terrelle Pryor is a freak of nature who has reportedly ran a 4.3 40 yard dash that was electronically timed on a track field. Regardless whether that was fake or not, he is Vince Young-esque talent with his ability to stiff arm defenders, and send them face first in the dirt.

There is something special about this Buckeye, because of how well he performed under the bright lights in the Rose Bowl when nobody expected him to do much. His accuracy is still questioned, and some wonder if he can ever become a starter at the next level.

This year he has a great offensive line and an improved unit of wideouts. He will be tested early against an NFL style defense on September 11th when he takes on the Miami Hurricanes.

Aside from an injury, Terrelle Pryor should be the best quarterback again in the Big Ten, and should be one of the front runners to strike the pose.

My 6th Ranked NCAA Quarterback

NFL Draft Prediction: First Round

NFL Comparison: Vince Young

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