College Football Power Rankings: The Top 25 Quarterbacks Heading Into Week Two
This college football season we'll be doing weekly power rankings of the top skill-position players in the game.
Week one action is in the books, closing out with a bang in a great matchup between Boise State and Virginia Tech.
We saw two of the top quarterbacks in the country face-off against each other and it was the Broncos Kellen Moore and not the Hokies Tyrod Taylor who got the best of this one.
Moore looked great at the close of the game and solidified himself as one of the top passers in the country in what should be Boise State's toughest game of the regular season.
So where does he rank among the top 25 college football quarterbacks?
Here are the rankings after week one.
25. Garrett Gilbert, Texas
1 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 172 / TD: 0 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 60.9 / Rating: 123.69
Gilbert came into the year with a lot of very high expectations considering he was the Gatorade and Parade National Player of the Year in 2008 and has the chance to be the next great quarterback at UT.
Maybe that's getting ahead of ourselves considering how little of a sample space we're dealing with, but for now we'll give Gilbert the No. 25 spot on promise.
He wasn't needed for much in week one, as the Longhorns relied on their running game and defense to pummel Rice 34-17. Still, Gilbert failed to make any major mistakes so there's no reason to bump him of the list just yet.
24. Zach Collaros, Cincinnati
2 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 219 / TD: 1 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 58.5 / Rating: 111.45
Collaros shown flashes of his potential and could be in line for a monster season. Tony Pike, Marty Gilyard, and Brian Kelly might be gone, but the Bearcats offense is expected to be very similar.
Things didn't get off to a good start against Fresno State, but that failure was a group effort, it wasn't just on Collaros.
He wasn't very good after a hot start and the accuracy just wasn't there at all late. Up next is Indiana State and that should prove the easier scene.
23. John Brantley, Florida
3 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 113 / TD: 2 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 68.0 / Rating: 132.37
John Brantley has bigger shoes to fill this season that probably any player in college football.
Obviously he isn't going to step in and do exactly what Tebow did, but Brantley is somewhat underrated and people will be surprised just how good this kid is.
That didn't exactly happen in week one against Miami (OH) though. The Gators offense managed just 26 yards through the first three quarters in a game that proved to be embarrassing for Florida even in victory.
This is a Miami team that one a single game last year and Brantley looked young and frazzled, especially when it came to the exchange of the ball between himself and center.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. Jordan Jefferson, LSU
4 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 151 / TD: 2 / INT: 1 / CMP%: 71.4 / Rating: 153.73
It's not that he hasn't been good, because he has, but when you're as talented as Jefferson is and display the type of potential, bigger things are expected. He has all the tools and at times has shown flashes of just how good he can be.
The game against North Carolina was sloppy and more was expected with the Tar Heels missing seven defensive starters, including the entire secondary.
Jefferson led the Tigers to a 30-10 halftime lead, but things fell apart from there and they were lucky to escape with a win.
21. Dayne Crist, Notre Dame
5 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 205 / TD: 1 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 73.1 / Rating: 152.00
Dayne Crist will have the mammoth task of being the next Jimmy Clausen for the Irish, but also has the added pressure that comes with being at the reigns of Brian Kelly's new system.
Well, so far so good. Against Purdue, Crist looked very good, with nearly 75 percent accuracy passing to show off his skills.
He looked comfortable in the offense, but we're not out of the woods yet. This was only Purdue we're talking about. Wait until he plays a major program before getting too excited.
20. Josh Nesbitt, GT
6 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 8 / TD: 0 / INT: 1 / CMP%: 16.7 / Rating: -5.47
Rushing Yards: 130 / AVG: 8.1 / TD: 3
Nesbit enters his senior year in 2010 and will go down as one of the most offensively-productive players in Georgia Tech history. Last season he recorded over 1,000 yards rushing with over 1,700 yards passing.
So far for week one, Nesbit hasn't been much of a quarterback. He attempted just six passes and finished the game with a negative quarterback rating.
He did add solid totals on the ground though, so it's difficult to say he had a bad game, it just wasn't your traditional-style one .
19. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State
7 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 186 / TD: 1 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 61.9 / Rating: 152.02
Cousins led the Spartans toward the second-rated passing attack in the Big Ten conference last season and proved to be a leader on and off the field for his team.
He doesn't get a whole lot of credit for his abilities as a passer though and that should start changing in 2010.
Not much was needed from Cousins against Western Michigan as MSU cruised to a 38-14 victory, but the Spartans leader under center looked the part of the savvy vet.
18. Landry Jones, Oklahoma
8 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 217 / TD: 2 / INT: 2 / CMP%: 47.2 / Rating: 105.08
Landry Jones was forced into a starting role much sooner than expected for the Sooners because of the nagging shoulder injury problems of Sam Bradford. While Oklahoma had a disappointing season, the freshman actually held his own out there and got a ton of valuable game experience.
He didn't look very sharp against Utah State in week one though, going 17-36 with a couple interceptions in what was a closer game than it should have been.
If not for a very strong day from the ground game, Jones might have quarterbacked his team to a loss to open the season.
17. Cameron Newton, Auburn
9 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 186 / TD: 3 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 64.3 / Rating: 246.60
Cam Newton went from Florida to JUCO and now has landed the starting quarterback gig at Auburn. He comes with baggage, but his alleged theft charges are long removed and all that's visible to the naked eye is a ton of talent and potential.
He met the bill in week one and even though it's Arkansas State we're talking about, Newton was terrific in very limited minutes.
It's a poor sample space, so you can't ask him to be much higher for now, but with Mississippi State up next, Newton could become a quick climber with another strong showing.
16. Ricky Stanzi, Iowa
10 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 229 / TD: 1 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 178.3 / Rating: 176.25
If not for a late-season ankle injury to Stanzi, it might have been Iowa instead of Ohio State that won the Big Ten in 2009.
Fans got another scare this week when the quarterback went down another leg injury, this time against Eastern Illinois.
Stanzi says he's fine and will be ready for next week. If he can put together another near-perfect outing, then we'll be talking.
15. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
11 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 281 / TD: 2 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 70.8 / Rating: 133.76
Gabbert is a solid pocket-passer with great accuracy on most of his throws. He's a also deceptively fast when forced to scramble. As the season progresses, he'll be on watch lists for a lot of national awards.
He looked very good against Illinois in Missouri's 23-13 win in week one. Gabbert passed for 281 yards with a couple of scores while throwing 34-48.
The Tigers are a darkhorse in 2010 and he's one of the main reasons why. Expect him to keep the ball rolling next week.
14. Russell Wilson, NC State
12 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 306 / TD: 4 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 67.7 / Rating: 193.23
Wilson, who also starts for the Wolfpack's baseball team, was surrounded by speculation this summer as fans and media wondered if he'd bypass the chance to play football in favor of professional baseball.
He stayed and one week in has been excellent. Like most of the quarterbacks on this list, his stats come against a cupcake matchup, but the performance was still a strong one.
Western Carolina or not, 300 yard and four touchdowns with no mistakes is a very solid performance.
13. Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M
13 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 322 / TD: 2 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 70.0 / Rating: 154.12
Johnson is already one of the best quarterbacks in Aggies history—if not the outright best. He holds several single-season records on top of throwing the most career touchdowns in school history, but he isn't done yet.
His senior year should be his best yet, but it's too early to judge how well he's playing based on the opposition. Stephen F. Austin isn't much of a challenge and Johnson's receivers were consistently open all over the field.
With over 300 yards passing and a couple touchdowns, as well as a third with his legs, Johnson did just about what you would have expected.
12. Robert Griffin III, Baylor
14 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 242 / TD: 2 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 52.8 / Rating: 127.58
Rushing Yards: 59 / AVG: 9.8 / TD: 1
Griffin emerged as a dangerous weapon as an 18-year-old dual-threat quarterback with exceptional athleticism. Unfortunately, a torn ACL sidelined him for much of last year and ruined Baylor's season.
Healthy again, Griffin looked solid against Sam Houston State in Baylor's 34-3 win. He wasn't too accurate and if that keeps up there could be problems, but you had to like what you saw.
Running the ball for 60 yards averaging 10 yards a carry was a good sign as well. Let's wait and see how he does against TCU in a couple weeks before declaring him all the way back though
11. Christian Ponder, Florida State
15 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 167 / TD: 4 / INT: 1 / CMP%: 85.7 / Rating: 265.92
Ponder had a disappointing season in 2009 compared to his breakout year in 2008, but if the Seminoles are going to continue to show up in the rankings he needs to play up to his potential.
Against Samford, Ponder looked like a surgeon. If not for an interception he would have had a perfect game. Ponder was 12-14, throwing a touchdown every third pass in a routine 59-6 blowout.
The Seminoles have a huge game against Oklahoma next week and if he's able to play even close that level again, Ponder will skyrocket up the rankings.
10. Greg McElroy, Alabama
16 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 218 / TD: 1 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 81.3 / Rating: 216.33
Greg McElroy won't wow you, but don't forget that he quarterbacked this team to a National Championship last season. He's a leader and an underrated resource for the Crimson Tide.
In leading Alabama to a 48-3 rout of San Jose State, McElroy was very effective in limited play, throwing for over 200 yards with over 80 percent pass completion.
With Penn State on the books for next week, we should all get a better judgement on just how good this team really is and McElroy will have a a lot to do with that.
9. Case Keenum, Houston
17 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 274 / TD: 5 / INT: 2 / CMP%: 77.3 / Rating: 238.71
Keenum is the the leader of the nation's most prolific offense, one that has put up astounding numbers the last two seasons with one of the best passing attacks in all of college football.
Houston rolled over Texas State to the tune of 68-28 in week one and while Keenum put up a solid performance, with five touchdowns and nearly 275 yards passing, he did throw a couple interceptions as well.
Against UTEP he'll need to be better to keep this offense moving.
8. Andrew Luck, Stanford
18 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 316 / TD: 4 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 73.9 / Rating: 246.71
Luck led the Pac-10 in passer efficiency last season and led the Cardinals to a respectable 8-5 season. There's not much not to like about this young man's game at this point, or his natural ability and stature.
He was dominant in Stanford's 52-17 blowout of Sacramento State to open the season and is on his way to being one of the top quarterbacks in the country in 2010.
A conference game against UCLA next week should prove to be a much harder test than the Hornets though.
7. Matt Barkley, USC
19 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 257 / TD: 5 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 78.3 / Rating: 243.86
Barkley is another quarterback with a lot to prove in 2010. At the heart of a disappointing season for the Trojans, he was a young and talented quarterback who at times made a lot of mistakes and at others looked brilliant.
He started the 2010 season looking brilliant, throwing for five touchdowns in the Trojans 49-36 win over Hawaii in week one.
Barkley was 18-23 and gave rise to hope that USC's signature passing game is back on track. He might have had the best performance of any quarterback in the country.
6. Jacory Harris, Miami
20 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 210 / TD: 3 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 80.0 / Rating:263.60
Last year, Harris led the Hurricanes to their most productive season since 2005. While at times he plays sporadically, when Harris is rolling on all cylinders, he makes it look easy out there.
That was exactly the case in Miami's first game of the year against Florida A&M. Not much was needed from Harris in the 45-0 shutout, but while he was in there he looked great.
If Harris has another good showing against Ohio State next week, not only will the Hurricanes be catapulted into the National Championship picture, people will start talking Heisman for Harris.
5. Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech
21 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 186 / TD: 2 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 68.2 / Rating: 169.20
Rushing Yards: 73 / AVG: 4.6 / TD: 0
Taylor is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country and a very difficult matchup for any opposing defense. He's a smart player that rarely makes mistakes and will constantly capitalize on the mistakes of his opponents.
He wasn't good enough to lead the Hokies to victory over third-ranked Boise State on Monday though and while that loss had a lot more to do with the defense than him, Taylor could have done more at the finish.
For now, let's say his stock has taken a bit of a drop while plenty of other quarterbacks looked great; but then again there's really no comparing the level of competition.
4. Jake Locker, Washington
22 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 266 / TD: 1 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 54.1 / Rating: 123.36
Rushing Yards: 29 / AVG: 2.6 / TD: 1
Locker is considered to be one of the best all-around quarterbacks in the country this season and depending on how well he plays, has a very real possibility of being the top pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
But he wasn't particularly sharp in the season opener against BYU. That was a game they were expected to lose, but a stronger performance from Locker could have been enough to pull off the upset.
Locker is still right up there with the best of them, but his stock took a hit in the 23-17 loss, especially considering his completion percentage was only 54.1.
3. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
23 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 247 / TD:3 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 68.0 / Rating: 190.58
Pryor really came into his own late last season, and by the end of the year looked like the quarterback he was hyped up to be coming out of high school a couple years ago.
With Ohio State primed for a BCS run, Pryor needs to be good all year long or that dream will fade in a hurry.
He dominated against Marshall, but with Miami coming to town next week, he needs to bring his A game or the Buckeyes will be in trouble.
2. Kellen Moore, Boise State
24 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 215 / TD: 3 / INT: 0 / CMP%: 60.5 / Rating: 134.11
One of the most efficient and productive quarterbacks in the country, Moore's touchdown to interception ratio is off the charts and there aren't many quarterbacks who read the field better.
He proved every bit his worth against a tough Virginia Tech defense on Monday, leading Boise State to a comeback victory in the final minutes to prove any doubters wrong about this team.
The Broncos are for real and so is Moore. The rest of the schedule is much, much easier now so don't expect them to drop a game from here on out.
1. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
25 of 25
2010 Stats: Yards: 301 / TD: 3 / INT: 1 / CMP%: 87.5 / Rating: 225.27
Mallet is another player with all the tools the NFL is looking for and currently is in a tight race with Jake Locker to be the first pick in the 2011 draft. If he meets expectations, he'll be the top player in all of college football in 2010
Tennessee Tech was a nice start, with over 300 yards passing and a hat trick of touchdowns, but that's not the matchup any of us are paying attention to.
Wait a couple weeks for Arkansas to battle it out with Georgia and then Alabama. If Mallett plays well in those settings he'll prove he belongs at No. 1.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
