Jacory Harris Vs. Terrelle Pryor: Who is the Better Quarterback?
The Miami vs. Ohio State game is merely a few days away, and the months of anticipation have grown to a peak in the days leading up to the game. Miami and Ohio State fans have been going at each other for nearly a year over this game, and there have been very good discussions along with heated ones on both sides. One of the biggest discussions has been which team has the better quarterback between Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor and Miami’s Jacory Harris. This matchup could be the deciding factor in the game.
Let’s break down both quarterbacks and let the fans of each debate state the reasons why their guy is superior, or why they are even. This game is going to come down to which guy can control the other team's defense, so it is probably the single biggest factor in determining the outcome of the game.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Terrelle Pryor, 6’6” 240 lbs.
2009 Statistics:
Cmp/Att Cmp% Yards TD INT Rating
Terrelle Pryor is the fastest player on the Ohio State football team, and he is not a bad weapon to have running your offense. Pryor runs a 4.33 40-yard dash and is 6’6”, 240 lbs. He is a formidable opponent to deal with. Looking through all of Pryor’s game stats over the last two seasons, what stands out the most is his completion percentage in 2009. It ranged from a low of 38.5 percent to a high of 82.4 percent, with many games hovering in the 40 to 50 percent area. That is a large range that shows why people knock Pryor, but at the same time why they see potential for him to do big things.
Pryor is safe with the ball, does not turn it over much, and was very efficient managing the offense last season. Pryor’s biggest asset is his ability to run with the football, where he totaled over 700 yards on the ground last season. Some would bring in the Michael Vick argument: Is he a running back moonlighting as a quarterback? Doug Flutie said on ESPN Radio that Pryor is good, but he is not convinced that Pryor can make tough throws when the receiver is not wide open.
OSU fans point to the definitive game against Oregon as proof of Pryor’s newfound passing abilities. He did have a decent game against the No. 44 passing defense in the nation, but is that enough combined with his performance against Marshall to prove that he has taken the next step?
Jacory Harris, 6'4” 200 lbs.
2009 Statistics:
Cmp/Att Cmp% Yards TD INT Rating
Jacory Harris is listed at 200 lbs., but he is probably closer to 190 pounds when he steps on a scale. He is not physically imposing like his counterpart on Saturday, and this leads some to question his durability as a player. Looking at Harris’ statistics from 2009, his completion percentage ranged from 36 to 80 percent with an average sitting in the 50 to 60 percent range.
The eye popping stat with Harris is his 17 interceptions. He led the nation in that category, but Harris had four 300-yard passing games while Pryor had none. Harris does not run with the ball, nor does he have any inclination to run with it. On the flipside, running is a major part of Pryor’s game. To illustrate that fact even more, Harris posted negative rushing yards in every game except one last season, and in that game he had zero yards rushing.
Harris is a passer, and will string out a play to the last minute in an attempt to make that last-minute throw downfield. While that may be a redeeming quality in many situations, it has worked to his detriment at times as well. Harris’ refusal to scramble when it is there in front of him has caused defenses to adjust and stay back on receivers knowing Harris will try to force it in there at times. This is an area where Harris will need to improve if he is to limit the number of interceptions to an amount lower than he had last year.
Based on the statistics you could say Harris is a better quarterback, but if you take everything into account then you can make the argument that Pryor has won more games and his running ability makes him more dynamic. Miami fans believe Pryor has made no progress, and the Oregon game was an aberration against a weak defense. Ohio State fans believe that Jacory Harris will throw the ball to the other team, and that Miami’s offensive line lacks the ability to protect him.
We have two good quarterbacks here, and reasons why both could be considered better than the other one. Rather than laying everything out on the table here, the fans can debate the finer points between the two. Everything should be revealed on Saturday after the head-to-head matchup and the argument can be settled then, but spirited debate is what makes sports great.
Check out More Sports Articles From The Sports Session
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
