College Football Predictions 2011: The 15 Most Heated QB Competitions
The quarterback battles brewing across the land promise to be storylines filled with drama, some new faces, and plenty of interesting coaching decisions.
While some of the incumbent QBs on the following pages may seem to have a decided advantage over their challengers, recent history offers us examples of guys being supplanted by their back-ups.
Case in point, Tate Forcier, formerly of Michigan.
Forcier led the Wolverines to four straight wins to start the 2009 season, the Wolverines finished only 5-7.
Tate road the pine in 2010, and has now transferred out of the system.
It could happen to anyone.
Many of these battles will be ended in spring practice over the next few weeks, while some may continue until late fall and even spill over into the season.
Hang on, it's going to be another great season...
15. Kansas Jayhawks
1 of 15
Jordan Webb vs Quinn Mechum
Webb and Mechum put up similar abysmal numbers last season.
Unless Mechum has a revival reminiscent of the New Testament, Webb should be the starting QB.
Head coach Turner Gill resurrected a dormant Buffalo program, and should be able to do the same for KU.
While Mechum has more time in the program under his belt, Webb, only a sophomore, would be the way to go for the future of the program.
Predicted starter: Webb
14. Florida State Seminoles
2 of 15
EJ Manuel vs Will Secord/ Clint Trickett
With EJ Manuels, improved throwing motion and the benefit of spring practice after missing last season's, he should be the frontrunner for the job.
That being said, if Secord can improve his work ethic and show some improvement, he will challenge Manuel for the starting spot.
Also watch out for Clint Trickett, son of FSU's offensive line coach.
Trickett has been around the program and is very familiar with the system.
It should be an interesting spring in 'Nole land.
Predicted Starter: Manuel
13. TCU Horned Frogs
3 of 15
Casey Paschall vs Matt Brown
The Horned Frogs and coach Gary Patterson lost a plethora of talent at the end of last season.
Then once-promising talent QB Yogi Gallegos left the program, and the QB battle will now rage between Paschall and Brown.
Paschall has the inside edge, offering a smidgeon of game experience to go with his lanky frame and accurate arm.
Brown adds another dimension with his mobility, and could be a huge dual threat star if given the opportunity.
Predicted Starter: Paschall
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
12. Florida Gators
4 of 15
John Brantley vs Jeff Driskel
While Trey Burton may become a factor if Brantley falters, super recruit Driskel will be the one who pushes him the most.
Brantley is a far better passer and pro-style QB than Tim Tebow ever was or will be, but he struggled last season.
If those struggles were a product of the system alone, he will flourish in Charlie Weis' new offense, but if they are some sort of failure on his pat, expect Driskel to get a shot at starting.
Predicted Starter: Brantley
11. LSU Tigers
5 of 15
Jordan Jefferson vs Jarrett Lee/Zach Mettenberger
Neither Jefferson nor Lee really showed the ability to lead the Tigers last season, but if one of them steps up his game, the Tigers will be the best team in the SEC.
Jefferson is uber athletic, but erratic under center.
Lee was not much better, and lacks the athletic side.
Mettenberger is intriguing.
Should Jefferson falter early, Mettenberger may be the best choice for the Tigers.
Predicted Starter: Jefferson
10. Alabama Crimson Tide
6 of 15
A.J. McCarron vs Phillip Sims
This one is interesting.
Both of these guys are tremendous talents, and will be surrounded by phenomenal players in the offensive side of the ball.
Whoever Nick Saban goes with here will earn his spot and, if the Tide can find an adequate replacement at WR for Julio Jones, will be one of the top QBs in the SEC.
McCarron seems to be the odds-on favorite, but don't sleep on Sims.
Predicted Starter: McCarron
9. Indiana Hoosiers
7 of 15
Edward Wright-Baker vs Dusty Kiel
New coach Kevin Wilson is implementing many changes at Indiana, among them a new starter at the QB position.
With the departure of the experienced Ben Chappell, Wilson turns to Wright and Kiel to plug the gap.
Wright may have the edge due to his mobility, but this one is definitely a toss-up.
Predicted Starter: Wright-Baker
8. Washington Huskies
8 of 15
Keith Price vs Nick Montana
It has been roughly six years since there has been much of a quarterback controversy for the Huskies, and this one is going to prove interesting.
While Price played sparingly in eight games last season, Montana (yes, Joe's son) is extremely accurate and a highly intelligent football player who could thrive in Steve Sarkisian's system.
While a two QB system might work elsewhere, Sarkisian has expressed his reluctance to employ such tactics and will probably be forced to make a decision sometime late in fall practice.
Predicted Starter: Montana
7. Auburn Tigers
9 of 15
Barrett Trotter vs Clint Moseley
While Trotter is no Cam Newton, he has the athletic ability and QB smarts to keep the Auburn offense rolling along at a pretty good clip.
That being said, Moseley will pose a serious challenge to Trotter, and the stiff competition could bring out a whole new level in Trotter's play, especially if he gets a pregame routine like this.
Predicted Starter: Trotter
6. Nebraska Cornhuskers
10 of 15
Taylor Martinez vs Cody Green
Cody Green was supposed to be the next big thing for Nebraska, and has just hung around the program watching others get their turns.
He has even offered to play at other positions if necessary.
While new offensive coordinator Tim Beck has stated the quarterback position is up for grabs, one really wonders if that is the case or just coach-speak.
Martinez is a dynamic threat to run the ball, but struggles sometimes in the pocket.
Green is a pure passer, who also has the ability to hit the corner hard on the option.
Pick your poison, Beck.
Predicted Starter: Martinez
5. Miami(OH) Redhawks
11 of 15
Zac Dysert vs Austin Boucher
After a one-win season in 2009, the Redhawks turned it around, winning ten games in 2010.
First year coach Don Treadwell hopes to continue that success, and he has the quarterbacks to do it.
Zac Dysert, who started last season for the first ten games, threw for over 2400 yards before being sidelined by a lacerated spleen (sounds painful).
Austin Boucher took over for the last four games, and led the Redhawks to wins in all of them, including the MAC Championship game and the Go-Daddy.com Bowl.
Treadwell has made it clear early in practice that the QB job will be won on the practice field, and it will be an interesting battle in Oxford, OH.
Predicted Starter: Dysert
4. Nevada Wolf Pack
12 of 15
Tyler Lantrip vs Cody Fajardo/Mason Magleby
Nevada coach and resident offensive wizard Chris Ault lost one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the country when Colin Kaepernick left.
Tyler Lantrip is the current leader for the starting position, but his style as a pocket passer may hinder the effectiveness of Ault's pistol offensive scheme.
Fajardo may be a better option in the pistol but, right now, it's still pretty up in the air.
Lantrip has the inside track according to Ault, but he is not adverse to waiting until the fall to name a starter.
Predicted starter: Lantrip
3. Penn State Nittany Lions
13 of 15
Robert Bolden vs Matt McGloin/Paul Jones/Kevin Newsome
Bolden started last season at the top of the Nittany Lions' depth chart as a true freshman, but was benched in favor of Matt McGloin after suffering a concussion mid-season.
McGloin navigated the easy part of the Lions' schedule with relative ease, but was absolutely embarrassed in the Outback Bowl against Florida.
Bolden announced his intent to transfer in the off-season, but was denied by JoePa.
Jones seems to be somewhat of a dark horse and Newsome was expected to be better last season, so this may be one of the more wide open races in the country.
Bolden has the most potential, and if he continues to improve and is allowed to overcome mistakes, he will be a great leader for PSU.
Predicted Started: Bolden
2. Miami Hurricanes
14 of 15
Jacory Harris vs Stephen Morris/Spencer Whipple
New head coach Al Golden turned heads when he released his first depth chart.
It was obvious he was making a statement regarding work ethic and the rewards for working hard.
Whipple was ahead of both Morris and Harris on the first depth chart.
Morris appears to be a slight favorite, as the new staff seems to be emphasizing limiting mistakes and making good decision, and neither of those traits are particularly familiar to JH12.
Predicted Starter: Morris
1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
15 of 15
Dayne Crist vs Tommy Rees
Brian kelly declared this quarterback race wide open.
After Crist went down last season with a ruptured patella tendon, Rees stepped up as a more than adequate replacement.
Rees led the Irish to wins in the last four games of the season, including big ones over USC and Miami.
If either one is super sharp in spring practice he will gain the starting spot, but maybe a two quarterback system is in the works...
Predicted Starter: Rees
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
