2011 Preview Blitz: Big East Quarterbacks

The coaching makeover undergone in the Big East should produce some dramatically different offenses. Most notable are the new regimes at Pitt and West Virginia, where offensively minded head coaches assume duties from conservative predecessors. The more vertically inclined Todd Graham and Dana Holgorsen lift the ceilings on their quarterbacks, and those peak potentials are where the Big East’s playmakers are ranked.

1. Geno Smith, West Virginia

No quarterback has greater superstar potential than Geno Smith. He managed impressive numbers even last season under Bill Stewart’s ball controlling style: 24 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 64.8 percent completions. Dana Holgorsen’s offensive philosophy made a star out of untested Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden — in a veteran playmaker like Smith, Holgorsen should get astounding production.

2. Zach Collaros, Cincinnati

Zach Collaros’ overall production took a notable dip in 2010 from an ’09 when he seamlessly relieved Tony Pike. The blip is directly attributable to the coaching changes. Like Brian Kelly, Butch Jones has a proven track record with mobile quarterbacks. Dan LeFevour excelled under Jones at Central Michigan, which makes last season somewhat confounding. An extra offseason to work together should cultivate more of a connection between coach and quarterback. Collaros has proven he has the talent to be a special player.

3. Tino Sunseri, Pitt

Todd Graham-coached quarterbacks put up monstrous numbers. Granted, Conference USA schemes like his at Rice and Tulsa often resemble the CFL, and the Big East is a different beast. Still, the progression of Paul Smith and GJ Kinne under Graham have to be considered positives for Tino Sunseri who wasn’t bad in his sophomore campaign. If he can be great as a junior, the combination of Sunseri and Ray Graham could be reminiscent of Bill Stuhl/Dion Lewis two years ago.

4. BJ Daniels, USF

The glimmers have been there, it’s just a matter of sustaining those moments for BJ Daniels. He stepped in for four-year starter Matt Grothe as a freshman and performed decently. Daniels seemed to fit better as a rusher under Jim Leavitt, but Skip Holtz used him more as a traditional passer. His progression as more of a pocket passer, less reliant on freelancing out of it will determine how far USF goes.

5. Ryan Nassib, Syracuse

While others among the Big East quarterbacking corps are high risk, high reward style players, Ryan Nassib was flying right in the middle. Nassib had just one game with more than two touchdowns, a five-score outing against FCS Maine. Nassib also had only two 20-or-more completion performances and finished the season with 56.4 percent completions. Nassib has great size at 6-foot-3, 230 and is capable of more. The Orange offense could provide more passing opportunities with Delone Carter gone.

6. Will Stein, Louisville

Celebrated recruit Teddy Bridgewater may have the hype, but Will Stein has the seasoning. The UL junior faces tall odds and a short leash — I promise those aren’t (totally) meant as puns on his 5-foot-10 frame. Stein played well in his one meaningful appearance last season, vs. Rutgers. Stein’s familiarity with Mike Sanford’s offensive scheme gives him a leg up over Bridgewater, but if he fails to deliver the blue chip signee will get a chance to shine.

7. Chas Dodd, Rutgers

Greg Schiano’s benching of Tom Savage for Chas Dodd remains a perplexing decision. Savage struggled mightily before suffering injury, but the freshman Dodd was thrown into a difficult position playing behind the worst offensive line in college football. Barring a complete 180 from the Scarlet Knights’ front five, Dodd remains in a precarious position.

8. Michael Box/Johnny McEntee/Scott McCummings, Connecticut

Uncertainty at quarterback isn’t new at Connecticut. After Dan Orlovsky’s departure, Randy Edsall faced a carousel of questionable quarterbacking. This season’s situation is particularly dire though, and a problem compounded by the Huskies’ lack of a dominant tailback for the first time in several years. None of the trio have emerged as a clear cut starter. Thus far the biggest positive from this corps is McEntee’s YouTube videos.