Big Ten Football: Mid-Season Quarterback Power Rankings And Awards
Here we are at the mid-point of the college football season.
The Big Ten has five teams in the top 25, two quarterbacks in serious Heisman contention, and last week was a great week for Big Ten football.
A battle of the unbeatens in Ann Arbor, Iowa dominating PSU yet again, Paul Bunyan's Axe staying in Wisconsin, Big Ten football was hoppin' this weekend.
In a conference full of efficient quarterbacks, a few stand out, while a few have been just awful.
Purdue has had to make do after Robert Marve went down with a season ending injury, while PSU's freshman signal caller has, well, looked like a freshman in his last couple of starts.
Denard Robinson was finally slowed down by someone, accumulating only 301 total yards this week, to go with two touchdowns.
Only 301 total yards...
Can you say Heisman?
Going into a couple of weeks that could shake up the conference standings, here are your rankings, 11-1.
11. Rob Henry: Purdue Boilermakers
1 of 11
Rob Henry has a difficult proposition, trying to fill the shoes of injured starter Robert Marve, who is out for the season.
Marve was expected to be the answer to many of Purdue's problems at the quarterback position, and he may have been, but we will never know...
Henry has completed 46 percent of his passes for two interceptions and two touchdowns through the air, to go with one on the ground.
Award - The "Who Is This Guy" Award
10. Robert Bolden: Penn State Nittany Lions
2 of 11
Robert Bolden has had a tough season, to say the least.
Bolden has almost twice as many interceptions (7) as touchdowns (4).
In a less than perfect season for the Nittany Lions, Bolden has floundered, completing only 56 percent of his passes through the mid-point of the season.
Award - The "Not So Freshman Of The Year" Award
9. Nathan Scheelhasse: Illinois Fighting Illini
3 of 11
Nathan Scheelhaasse has scored four touchdowns through the air and two on the ground while gaining 640 yards.
The downside is he has thrown four picks already this season tying him for second place on that dubious list.
Award - The "How The Heck Do You Say That Name" Award
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
8. Scott Tolzien: Wisconsin Badgers
4 of 11
In the Badger's traditional run-first offense, Scott Tolzien has sometimes struggled to find his identity.
At this point in the season, Tolzien has thrown for a pedestrian 200.2 yards per game.
Seven touchdowns to go with two interceptions round out Tolzien's numbers, and his total of 1,201 yards places him at eighth in the conference at the halfway mark.
Award - The "Creepiest Looking Guy In the Conference"
7. Adam Weber: Minnesota Golden Gophers
5 of 11
Once again, the Gopher's trophy case stays devoid of Paul Bunyan's Axe, and Adam Weber never had a chance to hold it.
Weber has been solid this season, throwing for 12 touchdowns and four interceptions, while amassing 1,448 yards.
The problem is, Minnesota can't win a game, and Weber is completing less than 60 percent of his passes.
Award - "My Coach Is Awful"
6. Michigan State: Kirk Cousins
6 of 11
Cousins has his Spartans flying high at 6-0 and sitting atop the conference.
While his numbers may not blow you away, anyone who watches the Spartan offense can see that Cousins is the undisputed leader of this team.
With only trips to Iowa and PSU seeming to be road bumps on the way to a Sparty undefeated season, Cousins will have to keep his teammates focused for every game...starting this week in Illinois.
Award - "Best Release"
5. Ricky Stanzi: Iowa Hawkeyes
7 of 11
Ten touchdown passes, only two interceptions, and 245 yards per game passing...those stats belong to Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi.
Since the Hawkeyes slipped against Arizona, Stanzi has quietly led his team to wins against Ball State and Penn State by a combined score of 69-3...
Don't sleep on Stanzi and the Hawkeyes.
Award - "Does The Most With Least"
4. Ben Chappell: Indiana Hoosiers
8 of 11
Ben Chappell and Indiana led the conference in passing yards per game...and then they ran into the OSU "Silver Bullet" defense.
After averaging over 300 yards per game for the first four games, Chappell was held to only 106 yards and two interceptions before leaving the game against the Buckeyes.
With all the weapons Chappell has, expect his numbers to go back up again, as the Hoosier take on Arkansas State this Saturday.
Award - "Poser"
3. Dan Persa: Northwestern Wildcats
9 of 11
Northwestern has a big one coming up next on their schedule.
The WIldcats look to become bowl eligible against the Michigan State Spartans on October 23.
The key to victory in that game will be NU quarterback, Dan Persa.
Persa is averaging 326 yards of total offense per game, and his mobility allows him to make plays longer, giving him more time to find the open man.
Watch Persa on the 23rd against a less than adequate MSU secondary...
Award - "Coolest Name"
2. Denard Robinson: Michigan Woverines
10 of 11
Mr. Robinson has been absolutely incredible this season, until last week against Sparty.
While he gained 301 total yards, D-Rob threw three interceptions in the contest, and his last pick pretty much sealed the deal in the Spartans victory.
Should he continue to struggle in such a manner against Big Ten defenses, Robinson will find himself left out of the Heisman conversation rather quickly.
Award - "Most Annoying Nickname"
1. Terrelle Pryor: Ohio State Buckeyes
11 of 11
Yes, Terrelle Pryor takes his place at the top of the power rankings.
Pryor leads the conference in passing touchdowns(15) to go with only three interceptions and three touchdowns on the ground.
Pryor has matured to the point where he is the unquestioned leader of the Buckeyes' offense, and this weekend, he may have the opportunity to make his case for the Heisman against a tough Wisconsin team on the road.
Pryor gets the nod at the top of the rankings due to his 18 total touchdowns and his teams undefeated record.
Award - "Vindication"
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
