Today, let’s take a look at the quarterbacks in the Pac-12 and rank them based on the team. There are some quarterback battles and in that case we will either A) simply choose one or B) grade them all together.
The Pac-12 has some really talented quarterbacks at the top, some average ones in the middle, and then there are the situations where I could run quarterback and there would still be success. That’s saying something.
12. UCLA- Brett Hundley, Kevin Prince, Richard Brehaut
Truth be told, it doesn’t really matter which of the three win the job. None of them are that great, and that is why they are in this mess of a three way quarterback battle. It is rare to find a team that has three exceptional quarterbacks and they have to “pick” one. Usually, when there is a clear winner, he reveals himself pretty quick. This is not the case. By the end of the season, we may have even seen all three of these quarterbacks start at one time or another.
11. Arizona State- Mike Bercovici or Michael Eubank
Eubank is the more physically gifted of the two but Bercovici may be the most ready. I think in the end Eubank wins this battle and reminds people of a faster Osweiler. He is big, strong, and likes to move around. But he is not nearly elite, yet.
10. California- Zach Maynard
Maynard is so inconsistent, Cal fans can’t be mad at me for having him so low. He will hit a receiver on a dime once, then the next throw is in the ground or sailing over the head of his target. He has the ability to be talented and his receivers, especially Keenan Allen, are special. They will make him look better than he actually is.
9. Colorado- Jordan Webb or Connor Wood
Webb is a transfer from Kansas with experience under his belt and Wood is from Texas. In the end, it will probably be Webb because he only has two years left and already has experience. Webb isn’t going to “wow” anyone but he can hold his own in the Buffalo offense.
8. Oregon State- Sean Mannion
By now, we all know Mannion. He is an average quarterback on a team that seems to consistently under-achieve or over-achieve depending on who you are. This year Mannion should be slightly better but don’t look for him to be elite in the Pac-12.
7. Stanford- Brett Nottingham
Nottingham is my guess right now and looks to be the favorite to replace Andrew Luck. The offensive system will center around the running game but Nottingham has good ability to manage the game. There isn’t a lot to pull from, but reports are that he will be a pretty good QB for the Cardinal.
6. Oregon- Bryan Bennett or Marcus Mariota
This is a system. It won’t matter which one wins the job and in the future, Chip Kelly may figure out how to have his worst player do it so he can save his athletes for other positions. They are ranked high because it is a system that works. They score lots of points, but it is more about the play calling and knowing how to run the system more than actually being an elite quarterback.
5. Arizona- Matt Scott
Rich Rodriquez is excited to have Scott on his newly inherited team as Scott fits into the spread offense. He was red-shirted last year for his senior year and now he comes in ready to start in his fifth year. Scott ran the spread offense in High School where he quickly became one of the better “athlete” recruits. He should be able to put up big numbers for the Wildcats.
4. Washington State- Jeff Tuel
The Cougars have had a trio of quarterbacks make their mark over at WSU. There have been surprises come out of Pullman and out of that depth chart. Tuel is still the best on the team, and if he can stay healthy should put up huge amounts of numbers in the Mike Leach offense.
3. Utah- Jordan Wynn
Wynn should have a good year. Last year, he was in the conversation as one of the best quarterbacks in the Pac-12 but a shoulder injury pushed him to the sidelines. This year he is once again poised and ready to be one of the better quarterbacks in this conference. His shoulder seems to be completely healed and according to reports out of Utah, he has a lot of confidence to have a big year.
2. Washington- Keith Price
Price already has his name in the Heisman race because of his breakout year last season. If he continues to put up numbers and shine like he did in 2011-2012, then he will cement his name in that race.
1. USC- Matt Barkley
If you are reading this post and don’t know his name already, I am surprised you made it this far. He is elite. He could find himself as the Heisman winner, top pick in the NFL draft, and even holding the National Championship trophy. This is a big, big, season for Barkley.