College Football Power Rankings 2011: Top 25 Quarterbacks Heading into Week 13

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and welcome back to the Quarterback Scramble!

Usually, by late November, we have a pretty good idea of who's going to the BCS, who the best quarterbacks in college football are and, in turn, who's likely to win the Heisman Trophy.

But with Andrew Luck and Landry Jones struggling and Robert Griffin III and Matt Barkley tearing up the turf, the race has essentially been blown wide open, leaving us here at the QB Scramble with the unenviable task of rearranging the rankings from week to week.

I know, tough task, but somebody's got to do it.

We'll give it the old college try once again, with this being the fourth-to-last edition of the season if you include the post-bowl rankings.

Be sure to check out last week's rankings for a bit of context if you've yet to immerse yourself in the wonderful, if strange, world of the QB Scramble.

Who's Out?

As usual, there was some runoff from the QB Scramble this past weekend. Strangely enough, two of this week's three departures led their teams to wins.

They just didn't perform all that remarkably in the process.

19. Collin Klein, Kansas State: 9-of-17 for 83 yards and two total touchdowns in a 17-13 win at Texas.

2011 Stats: 1,587 yards, 11 TDs, 5 INTs, 58.5 percent pass completions; 267 carries, 1,013 yards, 25 TDs rushing

20. Alex Gillett, Eastern Michigan: 8-of-16 for 84 yards and two interceptions, with 13 carries for 15 yards, in a 28-22 loss at Kent State.

2011 Stats: 1,357 yards, 13 TDs, 7 INTs, 56.6 percent pass completions; 152 carries, 669 yards, 3 TDs rushing

24. Casey Pachall, Texas Christian: 13-of-20 for 117 yards in a 34-10 victory over Colorado State.

2011 Stats: 2,530 yards, 24 TDs, 6 INTs, 67.8 percent pass completions

Honorable Mentions

Before we delve into the top 25, let's take a moment to acknowledge some of the more remarkable performances from those signal-callers who aren't quite in the mix for the QB Scramble but, with another strong performance or two before season's end, may yet sneak their way into the final rankings.

Tevin Washington, Georgia Tech: 6-of-13 for 185 yards, with 17 carries for 136 yards and a touchdown in a 38-31 win at Duke.

2011 Stats: 1,481 yards, 10 TDs, 6 INTs, 48 percent pass completions; 209 carries, 849 yards, 14 TDs rushing

Jared Barnett, Iowa State: 31-of-58 for 376 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, with 14 carries for 84 yards rushing in a 37-31 win over Oklahoma State in double-overtime.

2011 Stats: 900 yards, 4 TDs, 4 INTs, 50.6 percent pass completions; 72 carries, 388 yards, 1 TD rushing

Connor Shaw, South Carolina: 16-of-18 for 217 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, with 11 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown rushing, in a 41-20 trouncing of Citadel.

2011 Stats: 1,008 yards, 9 TDs, 6 INTs, 64.9 percent pass completions; 97 carries, 376 yards, 6 TDs rushing

Kevin Prince, UCLA: 15-of-19 for 225 yards and four touchdowns, with 10 carries for 84 yards, in a 45-6 shellacking of Colorado.

2011 Stats: 1,202 yards, 8 TDs, 6 INTs, 57.4 percent pass completions; 78 carries, 390 yards rushing

Zac Dysert, Miami (OH): 42-of-54 for 413 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a 24-21 loss to Western Michigan.

2011 Stats: 3,513 yards, 23 TDs, 11 INTs, 65.8 percent pass completions; 125 carries, 115 yards, 4 TDs

25. Darron Thomas, Oregon

It may seem a bit strange to put Darron Thomas back in the Top 25 after an Oregon loss, but trust me, folks, he belongs in this group. He played well against USC, completing 23-of-35 for 265 yards and a touchdown, and has deserved re-entry since regaining his hold on the Ducks starting quarterback gig after suffering an injury against Arizona State.

If you don't believe me, just check him out in the Civil War against Oregon State this weekend.

2011 Stats: 1,969 yards, 23 TDs, 5 INTs, 61.3 percent pass completions; 42 carries, 136 yards, 2 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: NR

24. Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech

Keeping up with the Thomases can be a tough task, though Virginia Tech's Logan doesn't seem to have a problem with it. Thomas tossed for 195 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another 32 yards and a score in leading the Hokies to a 24-21 win over North Carolina.

VA Tech will need Thomas to deliver his best performance yet when the team takes on Virginia in Hooville for the Commonwealth Cup and a spot in the ACC Championship Game.

2011 Stats: 2,338 yards, 16 TDs, 7 INTs, 60.4 percent pass completions; 118 carries, 387 carries, 9 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: NR

23. Tajh Boyd, Clemson

Tajh Boyd finds himself on QB Scramble probation this week after a paltry performance against North Carolina State. Boyd boasted only 238 yards and two picks on 21-of-34 passing in Clemson's embarrassing 37-13 loss in Raleigh.

He'll need to acquit himself much better against South Carolina in Saturday's battle for...the Hardee's Trophy?

2011 Stats: 3,255 yards, 27 TDs, 9 INTs, 61.5 percent pass completions; 110 carries, 181 yards, 4 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: 12

22. Denard Robinson, Michigan

Denard Robinson is back after a brief hiatus after another typical Shoelace performance. Robinson ran for 83 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 180 yards, two scores and a pick while leading Michigan to a 45-17 stomping of Nebraska.

A big game in The Game against Ohio State on Saturday could cement Robinson's legacy in Wolverines lore while vaulting the Maize and Blue into the BCS at-large conversation.

2011 Stats: 1,791 yards, 15 TDs, 14 INTs, 53.1 percent pass completions; 174 carries, 947 yards, 14 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: NR

21. Aaron Murray, Georgia

Like Georgia as a whole, Aaron Murray was effective, if not entirely unimpressive, against Kentucky. Murray managed 162 yards, a touchdown and an interception on 16-of-29 passing in the Bulldogs' 19-10 win over the Wildcats, which was enough to secure a spot in the SEC Championship Game.

A trip to Atlanta for some clean, old-fashioned hate should give Murray the opportunity to strut his stuff while boosting UGA up the BCS rankings a bit before Championship Saturday.

2011 Stats: 2,446 yards, 28 TDs, 9 INTs, 60.6 percent pass completions; 67 carries, 99 yards, 2 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: 17

20. Dominique Davis, East Carolina

Another solid performance earns Dominique Davis a slight bump in the QB Scramble this week. The quarterback for East Carolina corralled 203 yards, four touchdowns and an interception along with 62 yards rushing in the Pirates' 38-31 win over Central Florida.

He'll look to lead ECU to bowl eligibility against Marshall on Saturday.

2011 Stats: 2,940 yards, 22 TDs, 16 INTs, 67.7 percent pass completions; 81 carries, 126 yards, 5 TDs

Last Week's Ranking: 21

19. Alex Carder, Western Michigan

The MAC Attack made a collective climb up the rankings this week, with Alex Carder checking in as the lowest, but certainly not the least, of the conference's contingent. Carder accumulated 429 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, with 19 yards rushing for good measure, in leading Western Michigan to a big 24-21 win at Miami (OH).

He and the Broncos shouldn't have much trouble closing out their season on a high note against 1-10 Akron on Friday.

2011 Stats: 3,251 yards, 28 TDs, 9 INTs, 66.9 percent pass completions; 105 carries, 253 yards, 4 TDs

Last Week's Ranking: 25

18. GJ Kinne, Tulsa

Case Keenum may be hogging the spotlight out of Conference USA, but don't forget about GJ Kinne. Tulsa's gunslinger stacked up 300 yards and three touchdowns with just one pick, not to mention 33 yards and a touchdown on the ground, in a 57-28 trouncing of UTEP.

Kinne won't be kidding around on Friday when the Golden Hurricane welcome Keenum and Houston to Chapman Stadium in a battle for the C-USA West division title.

2011 Stats: 2,700 yards, 24 TDs, 10 INTs, 65.7 percent pass completions; 99 carries, 361 yards, 3 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: 23

17. Brock Osweiler, Arizona State

Brock Osweiler did all he could to keep Arizona State from falling to lowly Arizona in the Territorial Cup, but it just wasn't meant to be. Osweiler wound up with 487 yards and a touchdown on 36-of-65 passing, but was undone by two costly interceptions.

Osweiler's Sun Devils will be fighting for a possible berth in the Pac-12 Championship Game against Cal the day after Thanksgiving.

2011 Stats: 3,377 yards, 21 TDs, 10 INTs, 63.4 percent pass completions; 72 carries, 118 yards, 3 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: 11

16. Nick Foles, Arizona

At long last, Nick Foles' fantastic play wasn't undermined by that of his inept teammates at Arizona. Foles threw for 370 yards and two touchdowns on 35-of-51 passing to lead the Wildcats to a mild upset of Arizona State in the Territorial Cup, 31-27.

Look for Foles to get his last licks in against Louisiana-Lafayette before graduating and moving on to a lucrative career in the NFL.

2011 Stats: 3,982 yards, 25 TDs, 13 INTs, 68.5 percent pass completions

Last Week's Ranking: 22

15. Cody Fajardo, Nevada

Few freshmen have played as well at quarterback as Cody Fajardo has for Nevada this season. Fajardo continued his fantastic play, albeit in a loss to Louisiana Tech, by throwing for 212 yards, a touchdown and a pick and running for another 110 yards.

Fajardo will certainly be thankful for the opportunity to run amok against Utah State on Saturday.

2011 Stats: 1,467 yards, 6 TDs, 5 INTs, 70.7 percent pass completions; 109 carries, 635 yards, 11 TDs

Last Week's Ranking: 18

14. Tyler Tettleton, Ohio

Once again, the MAC schedule has undermined the QB Scramble's preferred pace, so we'll refer you to what he did against Bowling Green. Tettleton was instrumental in helping Ohio edge the Falcons, as he threw for 194 yards and a touchdown and ran for another 128 yards and a score in a 29-28 win.

You'll just have to wait for the next edition to see what he did against Miami (OH) this week.

2011 Stats: 2,868 yards, 26 TDs, 7 INTs, 64 percent pass completions; 132 carries, 576 yards, 8 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: 15

13. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

Ryan Tannehill has been nothing if not a trooper through Texas A&M's struggles this season. He was rewarded for his efforts with an easy date against Kansas last week, in which he tossed for 280 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-26 passing in a 61-7 slaughtering of the Jayhawks.

You can be there will be some bitter feelings when the Aggies welcome the Texas Longhorns to Kyle Field in what may be the last edition of a rivalry that's run since 1894.

Hooray for conference realignment, right?

2011 Stats: 3,191 yards, 26 TDs, 11 INTs, 63.3 percent pass completions; 47 carries, 275 yards, 4 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: 16

12. Landry Jones, Oklahoma

This season hasn't quite gone as Landry Jones and Oklahoma had hoped, to say the least. He put up plenty of yardage against Baylor—447 yards, to be exact—but could muster nary a touchdown against his one pick in the Sooners' shocking 45-38 loss to the Bears.

A win over Oklahoma State in the Bedlam Game on Dec. 3 would not only give Jones and company some measure of redemption for the campaign, but also render them the Big 12 champions once again.

2011 Stats: 3,796 yards, 28 TDs, 10 INTs, 65.3 percent pass completions; 22 carries, 21 yards, 2 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: 8

11. Russell Wilson, Wisconsin

Russell Wilson was efficient, almost too efficient, in Wisconsin's win at Illinois last weekend. Wilson wound up with just 90 yards and two total touchdowns on 10-of-13 passing in Champaign.

He'll look to pop off a few more scores and some big plays for the Badgers when Penn State comes to town on Saturday in a game that will determine the winner of the Big Ten's Leaders Division.

2011 Stats: 2,506 yards, 26 TDs, 3 INTs, 73.6 percent pass completions; 59 carries, 289 yards, 5 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: 4

10. Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois

If you put a poor man's Robert Griffin III into the offense-happy MAC, you'd get Chandler Harnish.

Simple as that.

Harnish showed off his considerable skill set once again, this time with Ball State's defense serving as the victim. Northern Illinois' would-be Heisman Trophy contender collected 338 yards and two touchdowns through the air and another 181 yards and a touchdown on foot.

His Huskies will look to wrap up the MAC East by beating Eastern Michigan on Friday.

2011 Stats: 2,594 yards, 22 TDs, 4 INTs, 64 percent pass completions; 155 carries, 1,203 yards, 10 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: 14

9. James Franklin, Missouri

No quarterback can balance an offense quite like James Franklin can. The Mizzou signal-caller slung for 172 yards, ran for another 152 yards and picked up four total touchdowns—two through each medium—in a 31-27 win over Texas Tech.

The Tigers should have no trouble trouncing Kansas in the annual Border War at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday.

2011 Stats: 2,553 yards, 18 TDs, 7 INTs, 63.3 percent pass completions; 182 carries, 794 yards, 13 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: 13

8. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

Tyler Wilson—the best quarterback in the SEC? I think so, considering the dearth of quality competition, with only Georgia's Aaron Murray posing any of a challenge whatsoever.

Wilson confirmed as much with a 365-yards, three-touchdown day in Arkansas' 44-17 win over a disappointing Mississippi State squad.

Those numbers won't come so easily in the Battle for the Golden Boot against LSU on Friday, a game that has everything to do with how the SEC and the BCS will shake out in the end.

2011 Stats: 3,215 yards, 21 TDs, 5 INTs, 63.1 percent pass completions

Last Week's Ranking: 10

7. Geno Smith, West Virginia

Geno Smith spent an extra week resting his weary arm, at least enough to prepare for the Backyard Brawl against Pitt on Friday.

2011 Stats: 3,497 yards, 24 TDs, 5 INTs, 64.5 percent pass completions

Last Week's Ranking: 7

6. Andrew Luck, Stanford

Andrew Luck may be the best NFL prospect in college, but he's hardly played like the best collegiate quarterback of late.

Not that he's been "bad," per se, but rather that he hasn't been, well, Luck-like. That trend continued in Stanford's 31-28 win over Cal in the Big Game, in which Luck threw for 257 yards, two touchdowns and an interception but didn't exactly lead his team to the big blowout everyone had expected.

If the Cardinal are to have any shot at sneaking into the BCS title game, they'll need Luck to be at his best (and forget the rest!) when Notre Dame comes to town on Saturday.

2011 Stats: 2,937 yards, 31 TDs, 8 INTs, 70.3 percent pass completions; 39 carries, 133, yards, 2 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: 6

5. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

Everyone makes mistakes, even Brandon Weeden.

Even in what turned out to be the most important game of his life to that point. Weeden's positives—476 yards, three touchdowns—were clearly positives, but his one negative—three picks—was enough to bring him down a few notches.

Though, in all likelihood, a win over Iowa State would've been enough to keep Weeden in the top three.

Still, he'll have every opportunity to redeem himself in the Bedlam Game against Oklahoma on Dec. 3.

2011 Stats: 4,111 yards, 34 TDs, 12 INTs, 73.0 percent pass completions

Last Week's Ranking: 2

4. Matt Barkley, USC

So much for guys needing to play in bowl games to win Heisman Trophies. Matt Barkley can't play in the postseason, on account of USC's NCAA-induced ban, but he may yet earn a trip to New York City.

His campaign got a big boost in the Trojans' 38-35 shocker at Oregon, during which he threw for 323 yards, four touchdowns and just one pick.

A big game against UCLA would strengthen his legacy, solidify his pose-worthiness and, above all, force his hand (and arm) into the 2012 NFL draft.

2011 Stats: 3,105 yards, 33 TDs, 7 INTs, 67.6 percent pass completions; 27 carries, 20 yards, 2 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: 9

3. Kellen Moore, Boise State

The Mountain West and the BCS may be out of reach for Kellen Moore, but the Heisman certainly isn't. In crushing San Diego State, Moore accumulated 366 yards, four touchdowns and but one interception for Boise State.

Now, the winningest quarterback in the history of college football will look to extend his own dominance in the record books against a pretty good Wyoming team on Saturday.

2011 Stats: 2,915 yards, 35 TDs, 6 INTs, 73.8 percent pass completions

Last Week's Ranking: 5

2. Case Keenum, Houston

King Case couldn't last forever, not with so many worthy competitors gunning for his throne. Still, his run atop the rankings was as good as any this season, and it's not as though the sixth-year senior fell far. Keenum accounted for 318 yards and two total touchdowns in Houston's 37-7 haranguing of Southern Methodist.

He and the Cougars will get their toughest test yet when they travel to Tulsa to fight for the Conference USA West division crown.

2011 Stats: 4,269 yards, 38 TDs, 3 INTs, 73.4 percent pass completions; 41 carries, 54 yards, 3 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: 1

1. Robert Griffin III, Baylor

He's got 479 yards passing, 72 yards rushing, four touchdowns and no interceptions. One win for Robert Griffin III and Baylor against Oklahoma, their first in school history.

All of that adds up to No. 1. 'Nuff said.

Expect more of the same from the Rich Man's Quarterbacking Cam Newton against Texas Tech this weekend.

2011 Stats: 3,572 yards, 33 TDs, 5 INTs, 72.9 percent pass completions; 135 carries, 550 yards, 5 TDs rushing

Last Week's Ranking: 3