College Football Power Ranking: The Top 25 Quarterbacks Heading Into Week Seven

A wild week of college football is in the books and the excitement on the field was some of the best we've seen this year so far. 

Alabama fell to South Carolina, LSU pulled off some late trickery to survive against Florida, Michigan State made a statement against their bitter in-state rivals, and of course quarterbacks aired it out all over the country. 

There was Andrew Luck and Mark Barkley battling out west, Kirk Cousins and Denard Robinson dueling in the east, and action everywhere in-between.

Here are the rankings for the top 25 quarterbacks heading into Week 7. 

25. Geno Smith, West Virginia

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers in action against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,139 / TD: 12 / INT: 2 / CMP%: 66.4 / Rating: 156.35

Smith has been a fringe top 25 quarterback throughout the season and while he only threw 16 attempts against UNLV, the performance was a solid rebound from his outing vs. LSU the week before.

Smith was 12-16 for 220 yards and three touchdowns in the Mountaineers' 49-10 victory. He's got some smooth sailing ahead of him so there's no excuse to falter now.  

24. Dayne Crist, Notre Dame

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 25: Dayne Crist #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks for a receiver against the Stanford Cardinal at Notre Dame Stadium on September 25, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Stanford defated Notre Dame 37-14. (Photo by Jonathan Da

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,600 / TD: 11 / INT: 4 / CMP%: 58.8 / Rating: 128.63

Notre Dame stumbled out of the gates this season with three losses in a row at the hands of Michigan, Michigan State and Stanford, but Crist has taken too much blame for that. 

Crist has been somewhat average at times and solid on others, but he hasn't been bad yet and wins over Boston College and Pitt aren't too shabby. 

23. Stephen Garcia, South Carolina

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 9: Quarterback Stephen Garcia #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks tosses the football out of the end zone to avoid a sack after a botched snap against the Alabama Crimson Tide October 9, 2010 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, So

2010 Stats

Yards: 944 / TD: 8 / INT: 3 / CMP%: 72.3 / Rating: 170.99

Garcia makes his first appearance in the top 25 after outstanding performances in back-to-back games against Auburn and Alabama. 

South Carolina wasn't able to beat the Tigers, but the Gamecocks stunned the world against the Crimson Tide. Garcia was 17-20 for 201 yards, with three touchdowns and an interception. 

22. Dan Persa, Northwestern

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 31: Dan Persa #7 of the Northwestern Wildcats throws a pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ryan Field on October 31, 2009 in Evanston, Illinois. Penn State defeated Northwestern 34-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,663 / TD: 10 / INT: 2 / CMP%: 78.0 / Rating: 173.27 / Rushing Yards: 295 / AVG: 3.4 / TD: 3

Persa is another first-time member of the top 25 and while he is definitely deserving after the way he's started the season, it has as much to do with other quarterbacks slipping up over the last couple of weeks. 

The competition hasn't been too challenging, but though six weeks Persa has the fourth-highest passer rating and is seventh in passing yards. 

21. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,610 / TD: 18 / INT: 5 / CMP%: 68.9 / Rating: 165.08

Weeden leads the nation in touchdown passes at 18 and is on pace to finish the year with over 40 scores. 

At this point in the year he and Oklahoma State need to start getting some recognition as the Cowboys improved to 5-0 and Weeden is averaging over 300 yards passing and three touchdowns a game. 

20. Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech

Elsa/Getty Images

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies scrambles in the second quarter against the Boston College Eagles on September 25, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,030 / TD: 9 / INT: 3 / CMP%: 60.7 / Rating: 151.00 / Rushing Yards: 449 / AVG: 6.2 / TD: 2

Taylor hasn't been very accurate the last couple of weeks, but where he's struggled with his passing game he's made up for with his legs. 

The Hokies star quarterback is finally playing like it again and while a win over the likes of Central Michigan doesn't seem like much, every win matters when you've already dropped one to James Madison. 

19. Christian Ponder, Florida State

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 9: Christian Ponder #7 of the Florida State Seminoles runs out of the pocket to pass the ball against the Miami Hurricanes on October 9, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,017 / TD: 10 / INT: 4 / CMP%: 60.0 / Rating: 133.62 / Rushing Yards: 123 / AVG: 2.5 / TD: 2

Ponder didn't put up huge numbers against Miami, but the Seminoles made a huge statement nontheless and walked out of Sun Life Stadium with a 45-17 victory. 

As FSU continues to lean on their running game, Ponder won't have the numbers he's capable of having and that's hurting his stats quite a bit. 

18. Nick Foles, Arizona

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: Quarterback Nick Foles #8 of the Arizona Wildcats throws a pass during the college football game against the Oregon State Beavers at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Image

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,529 / TD: 9 / INT: 5 / CMP%: 74.9 / Rating: 155.81

Foles had his best performance of the season against Oregon State, but unfortunately for him it ended in a 29-27 loss that really puts a damper on Arizona's season.

The Wildcats' chances of going to the Rose Bowl become a little slimmer with the loss, but Foles couldn't have done much more to help his team win; he threw for 440 yards and three touchdowns. 

17. Taylor Martinez, Nebraska

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - SEPTEMBER 25: Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 hands the ball to running back Roy Helu Jr. #10 during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Defeated

2010 Stats

Yards: 660 / TD: 3 / INT: 3 / CMP%: 60.9 / Rating: 153.66 / Rushing Yards: 737 / AVG: 10.8 / TD: 12

Martinez has yet to pass for over 150 yards in a game thus far in his short career, but that doesn't make him any less dangerous from the quarterback spot. 

He's failed to rush for at least 125 yards and two touchdowns only once this season. Against Kansas State in Week 6 he went off for 241 yards on the ground and 4 scores, adding another 128 yards and a touchdown through the air. 

16. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

Leon Halip/Getty Images

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 09: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans rolls out to pass as Ryan Van Bergen #53 of the Michigan Wolverines attempts to make the sack during the game on October 9, 2010 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Mi

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,416 / TD: 10 / INT: 4 / CMP%: 68.3 / Rating: 167.55

Cousins was his usual self on Saturday, cool, calm, accurate, and on the winning side of the game. 

In a huge rivalry game against Michigan, Cousins passed for 284 yards and touchdown, being careful with the ball as always and avoiding any mistakes. 

15. Ricky Stanzi, Iowa

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes throws a pass during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Hawkeyes 34-2

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,226 / TD: 10 / INT: 2 / CMP%: 67.8 / Rating: 176.84 

Stanzi was solid in a big win over Penn State in Week 5, completing over 70 percent of his passes for 227 yards and two total touchdowns, though he did throw an interception as well. 

Iowa is about to go through a gauntlet, with Michigan, Wisconsin, and Michigan State as its next three opponents. There's no better time to judge Stanzi than that; he was on a bye in Week 6. 

14. Darron Thomas, Oregon

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Quarterback Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks warms up before the start of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,213 / TD: 14 / INT: 5 / CMP%: 58.5 / Rating: 152.45 / Rushing Yards: 221 / AVG: 6.0 / TD: 2

Thomas wasn't needed for much in Oregon's blowout win over Washington State, but he still managed to leave his signature on the game in limited minutes. 

Thomas was 8-12 for 153 yards and a touchdown on the day as he helped lead Oregon to a 6-0 record. 

13. Jake Locker, Washington

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 2: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies throws a pass against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 2, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,145 / TD: 8 / INT: 3 / CMP%: 55.4 / Rating: 124.75 / Rushing Yards: 218 / AVG: 4.4 / TD: 3

Just when it looked like Locker had turned the corner after he led the Huskies to a huge win over USC, he put up a performance to forget in Washington's loss to Arizona State.

Locker was 23-38 for 209 yards, with a pair of total touchdowns and an interception. If he doesn't pick it up, he'll be free-falling by next week. 

12. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Reno Wolf Pack looks to pass against the UNLV Rebels in the third quarter of their game at Sam Boyd Stadium October 2, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada Reno won 44-26. (Photo by Et

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,321 / TD: 8 / INT: 3 / CMP%: 70.7 / Rating: 158.25 / Rushing Yards: 639 / AVG: 7.4 / TD: 11

Unlike other dual-threat passers that seriously rely on their legs to beat their opponents, Kaepernick has proved his more than willing to throw his way to a victory. 

He was 20-27 for 273 yards against San Jose, though he did have an interception. Add in another 91 yards and two touchdowns and you have yourself a game. 

11. Matt Barkley, USC

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 09: Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans passes the ball during their game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,517 / TD: 15 / INT: 4 / CMP%: 64.9 / Rating: 162.02 

Barkley's stats were really impressive this week but unfortunately it resulted in another conference loss for USC, with the Trojans having lost to Washington and Stanford by a combined three points. 

This past week he was 28 of 45 for 390 yards and three touchdowns in USC's 37-35 loss to Stanford. Cal and Oregon are up next so there's no time for the Trojans to feel sorry for themselves. 

10. Greg McElroy, Alabama

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 9: Quarterback Greg McElroy of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs upfield against the South Carolina Gamecocks October 9, 2010 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,298 / TD: 9 / INT: 3 / CMP%: 72.3 / Rating: 169.14 

McElroy had his highest yardage total of the season against South Carolina, but that was mostly to do with the fact that the Crimson Tide were playing from behind.

In a surprising loss, McElroy passed for 315 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to keep Alabama from being knocked out of the top spot. 

9. Russell Wilson, N.C. State

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 16: Russell Wilson #16 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bearcats during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 16, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,802 / TD: 17 / INT: 6 / CMP%: 59.5 / Rating: 140.27 / Rushing Yards: 163 / AVG: 2.8 / TD: 1

Wilson and the Wolfpack rebounded well from their loss against Virginia Tech last week, blowing out Boston College 44-17. 

Wilson was 38-51 for 328 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He's now thrown six picks in his last three games and it's becoming something to monitor. 

8. Robert Griffin III, Baylor

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,735 / TD: 13 / INT: 2 / CMP%: 64.4 / Rating: 154.45 / Rushing Yards: 239 / AVG: 4.3 / TD: 6

Griffin has been truly impressive the last couple of weeks and it's becoming harder and harder to deny that he's one of the nation's top passers. 

In a tough loss to Texas Tech, Griffin threw for 384 yards and two touchdowns with a couple more coming on the ground. He's also completed more than 70 perfect of his passes over his last three games. 

7. Cameron Newton, Auburn

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,138 / TD: 12 / INT: 5 / CMP%: 64.8 / Rating: 180.73 / Rushing Yards: 672 / AVG: 6.5 / TD: 9

If you had to look for a single reason why Auburn is undefeated right now it would be Cam Newton.

He's been on fire all season long and it was no different against Kentucky in Week 6. Newton passed for 210 yards and an interceptions, adding 198 yards and four touchdowns. 

6. Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners drops back to pass against the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,457 / TD: 11 / INT: 3 / CMP%: 63.9 / Rating: 137.35 

The Red River Rivalry ended with Oklahoma on top and a great game from Landry Jones in the 28-20 victory; he was off in Week 6. 

Against Texas, Jones was 25-39 for 236 yards and two touchdowns. His 1,457 passing yards through the first five weeks of the year was the fourth-highest total in the nation

5. Denard Robinson, Michigan

Leon Halip/Getty Images

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,223 / TD: 8 / INT: 4 / CMP%: 67.2 / Rating: 164.11 / Rushing Yards: 991 / AVG: 8.3 / TD: 9

In Michigan State's convincing win over Michigan, Robinson came back down to earth after his incredibly hot start to the year. 

The Spartans held him under 100 yards rushing for the first time this season and also picked Robinson off on three separate occasions; it was by far his worst performance of the year.    

4. Kellen Moore, Boise State

Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images

BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos looks for a receiver against the Oregon State Beaversat Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,336 / TD: 14 / INT: 1 / CMP%: 67.4 / Rating: 183.27

Moore has really been incredible this season, with 14 touchdowns and only one interception through five games it's no wonder that he has the best quarterback rating in the country. 

He's thrown for less than three touchdowns just once this season and thrown for less than 200 yards just once as well. 

3. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

FAYETTEVILLE - SEPTEMBER 25: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks passes the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Alabama won 24-20. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Get

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,748 / TD: 13 / INT: 6 / CMP%: 69.3 / Rating: 170.30

After his three interceptions against Alabama cost Arkansas the win, Mallett was taking a ton of heat from fans and media, but he responded with a strong performance against Texas A&M. 

Mallett threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns, but did throw an interception as well and with the way Pryor and Luck played, he lost some ground going into Week 7. 

2. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 9: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes completes a pass against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,349 / TD: 15 / INT: 3 / CMP%: 68.0 / Rating: 170.47 / Rushing Yards: 352 / AVG: 6.2 / TD: 3

Pryor was another quarterback who really lite up the scoreboard on Saturday. After missing time against Illinois last week, Pryor was rolling on all cylinders in Week 6. 

In Ohio State's 38-10 victory over Indiana, Pryor was 24-30 for 334 yards and three touchdowns. Up next is a much-anticipated showdown with Wisconsin. 

1. Andrew Luck, Stanford

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 09: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal is surrounded by teammates and fans after they beat the USC Trojans 37-35 at Stanford Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,538 / TD: 16 / INT: 4 / CMP%: 65.7 / Rating: 166.86 / Rushing Yards: 242 / AVG: 7.8 / TD: 2

Luck played like a surgeon against USC on Saturday as Stanford edged the Trojans 37-35. On the other side of the ball Matt Barkley might have had the better yardage, but Luck was the best of the two. 

He went 20-24 for 285 yards and three touchdowns, posting a quarterback rating of 224.33; it was the top quarterback performance of the week in our eyes.