I'm posing this question to the forum to further my insight into a lot of programs around the country who are all desperately trying to replace their star QBs who have moved on or graduated. A lot of programs come to mind, so I'm hoping to here some good input from a lot of the quality members we have here in this forum. I'm doing this to get a better grasp of the upcoming season for my own wagers and so forth. Please feel free to mention any teams and their current situations and how you feel they will fare as a program based upon their current roster and possible starting QBs. Just remember to keep it fun and informative not hostile please. We all have allegiance somewhere, I'm just trying to open my eyes to some things I may be overlooking. Thanks guys and I look forward to reading your responses!w-thumbs!^
Very much in concurrence with you Wagner. Neither team has shown a viable replacement or even option thus far. Oregon state "supposedly" has a young guy they think very highly of, but no one really knows what to make of him thus far. Now that Gary Andersen is in place, who knows what type of qb they will be using lol
I think Kansas State will take a hard hit at QB. They not only lose 2 year starter Jake Waters, they lose his starting center Finley. There will be a huge gap trying to replace him. They also lose all of their key starters at WR and at tight end. They lose Lockett, who was Mr. Everything, from WR to kick/punt returner. They also lost a couple key defensive players. This is very close to being a rebuilding year for KSU. If it wasn't for the 4 returners on the OL this would for sure be a rebuilding year for the Cats. But their offense is still very dependent on the QB read option that usually takes a year of experience in KSU's unique offensive system to really get it down. I'm sure knowing Snyder he'll come up with something, but I can easily see KSU going 7-5 ish this year. All of Snyder's down years in the past have come when he hasn't had a returning QB.
And as I was saying before I timed out, Utah is going to be sneaky good, especially if Kyle Wittingham has a little better luck keeping his starter healthy. The emphasis on 2 guys fighting over one job should provide them with some security on the depth chart just in case. Not possible last season.
I like Ole Miss to be much improved on offense with whoever the quarterback is. A starter will not be named until fall practice begins. JUCO transfer Chad Kelley seems to be the front runner with sophomores Ryan Buchanan and Devante Kincade not far behind. All have different strengths.
Last year Ole Miss won nine games with a quarterback who resembled Jeckle and Hyde. If Kelly or one of the other contenders give the Rebs offense some consistency...look out!
Last year Ole Miss won nine games with a quarterback who resembled Jeckle and Hyde. If Kelly or one of the other contenders give the Rebs offense some consistency...look out!
Maryland lost CJ Brown...wouldn't call him a star, but he had his moments and he was a legit mobile threat. His replacement is likely either a sophomore more dual-threat with no experience or a senior very little mobility and just spot duty. On top of that, they lose 3 on the OL and two good WR's in Stefon Diggs and Deon Long. Diggs was drafted, Long signed as free agent.
I disagree with Oregon. They will be a lot easier to defend now that teams do not have to worry about Mariota and his talents. Oregon will score less this season than last. That is not to say that they will not score at all. They certainly will score their share of points. Just not as many as last season. Oregon's better days are behind them.
The SEC is the conference that has numerous teams that must find QB replacements. Alabama and Georgia head the list. If either one of those two teams can find a good QB you are talking NC possibilities there. Auburn is in the same situation to a lesser degree than Alabama is. Tennessee needs a good QB to turn their team around.
In the Big 12, Oklahoma is in desperate straight for a good QB as is Texas. Neither one of these former powerhouses will go very far without a solid QB.
The SEC is the conference that has numerous teams that must find QB replacements. Alabama and Georgia head the list. If either one of those two teams can find a good QB you are talking NC possibilities there. Auburn is in the same situation to a lesser degree than Alabama is. Tennessee needs a good QB to turn their team around.
In the Big 12, Oklahoma is in desperate straight for a good QB as is Texas. Neither one of these former powerhouses will go very far without a solid QB.
I agree the Big Ten has the best set of quarterbacks top to bottom of an conference.
I've read if the Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State quarterbacks have big years, they could possibly be first round draft choices. All three certainly have the size and arm strength...at least that's the opinion of a couple of NFL scouts.
These are all very good responses to the question originally asked. Thanks for the input guys. The big 10 certainly is loaded with qb talent. I whole heartedly believe exams could take the big 13 by surprise if they can simply find a reliable qb to move the chains, nothing fancy just reliable.
As for oregon i disagree when people say their best years are behind them. Mariota was a once in a generation type of guy, especially for the university of Oregon, but that doesn't mean that Vernon Adams, Jeff lockie, mahalack, etc can't put up their own gaudy numbers. Vernon Adams is very exciting and the intrigue is mystical at this point, he may be a total flop and turn the ball over like gohlson for Norte dame, or he could legitimately become the heisman dark horse a lot of people think he can be. Their offensive is so loaded it's unbelievable, even losing three starting lineman. They received a transfer from Norte dame who was a starter and is expected to compete if not take the starting center position. Their plethora of WRs, TEs and RBs is deeper than any previous roster I can remember. That alone should take a ton of pressure off whoever becomes the starting qb. Lockie can win ten games with those skill players, I fully believe that, but I don't think he will ever put up crazy stats or take over a game. That's the part that scares me a little. Vernon Adams has shown the ability to take over a game multiple times against better teams with less talent around him. If he starts, I hope he can realize all he has to do is distribute the ball to the playmakers and they will put up 50 almost every game. Lockie has a tendency to stall drives. I would imagine Oregon releases a hellacious dose of handoffs this season, especially early on, in order to alleviate the pressure on the Qb and offense in general. They have the workhorses to do it too. Only time will tell tho
As for oregon i disagree when people say their best years are behind them. Mariota was a once in a generation type of guy, especially for the university of Oregon, but that doesn't mean that Vernon Adams, Jeff lockie, mahalack, etc can't put up their own gaudy numbers. Vernon Adams is very exciting and the intrigue is mystical at this point, he may be a total flop and turn the ball over like gohlson for Norte dame, or he could legitimately become the heisman dark horse a lot of people think he can be. Their offensive is so loaded it's unbelievable, even losing three starting lineman. They received a transfer from Norte dame who was a starter and is expected to compete if not take the starting center position. Their plethora of WRs, TEs and RBs is deeper than any previous roster I can remember. That alone should take a ton of pressure off whoever becomes the starting qb. Lockie can win ten games with those skill players, I fully believe that, but I don't think he will ever put up crazy stats or take over a game. That's the part that scares me a little. Vernon Adams has shown the ability to take over a game multiple times against better teams with less talent around him. If he starts, I hope he can realize all he has to do is distribute the ball to the playmakers and they will put up 50 almost every game. Lockie has a tendency to stall drives. I would imagine Oregon releases a hellacious dose of handoffs this season, especially early on, in order to alleviate the pressure on the Qb and offense in general. They have the workhorses to do it too. Only time will tell tho
