Big 12: The Battle For Quarterback Supremacy
By Zach Pugh
Before I get into the four quarterbacks who will battle for supremacy in the Big 12 this season, I want to get this out of the way: I didn’t include every quarterback because, while I recognize the potential all have, I believe there are four quarterbacks…and then there is everyone else this season.
Geno Smith: The senior West Virginia quarterback has Heisman hopes this season and is looking to flourish even more in his second year in Dana Holgorsen’s offense. There has been a lot of emphasis on Smith’s second year in the Holgorsen system, becuase if you look back at Holgorsen’s history when he was offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, starting quarterbacks saw their production increase by an average of 900 yards and five touchdowns in Year 2.
Smith is the first West Virginia quarterback to throw for over 4,000 yards in a season. He also has Tavon Austin, along with Stedman Bailey and four offensive lineman returning to lend a hand for an offense that will need to keep pace with the best in the Big 12. Smith has stated recently that he knows the Mountaineers can’t throw every play and he has trust in his backs. The running game will have to put up better numbers in order to succeed this season (No. 92 in the nation in 2011).
Landry Jones: Jones has the chance to lead the Sooners to a Big 12 title, but much like his battle with Geno Smith for the Big 12 quarterback spotlight, Oklahoma will have to battle newcomer West Virgina for the conference spotlight. Jones hasn’t been able to move up to the big boy table of Sooner quarterbacks over the last decade for one simple reason: he has yet to play for a national championship.
Sam Bradford, Jason White and Josh Heupel all had the chance to play in the BCS Championship game. Jones can solidify himself as one of the best to ever take a snap in Norman if, and only if, he can get the Sooners a national championship. Jones looked to improve his footwork, along with other weaknesses, during the offseason by practicing with the man who prepared Cam Newton for the NFL, quarterback guru George Whitfield Jr. He absolutely can’t have a stretch like the six-game span in 2011 during which he threw three or more interceptions in each game.
Collin Klein: Some call Klein The Tim Tebow of the Midwest. Sure, the similarities in their game are visible, but Tebow had the convenience of a star-studded supporting cast in Florida, and Klein doesn’t have the same weapons at K-State Tebow did in Gainesville. Without Klein, last season would’ve had been much different than the 10-3 result.
He was able to hurt defenses with his legs and seemed to come through at the perfect times with his arm. In 2011, he put together one of the best seasons in school history throwing for nearly 2,000 yards and running for 1,141 yards with 27 touchdowns, but the weakness in his passing game needed to be corrected. Klein threw for 480 yards in the spring game and it does seem he has taken the next step as a passer. As dangerous as he was last season, just think of how valuable Klein can be to the Wildcats this year if teams have to fear him in the passing game.
Casey Pachall: Casey Pachall was a key factor for the TCU Horned Frogs’ success in 2011. Pachall is ready to show TCU can rise to the top in the Big 12. The Horned Frogs had a well balanced diet on offense last season, rushing for 208.6 yards per game while passing for 231.6. Pachall was able to come through in the biggest games and will need the mentality he exhibited during the games against Baylor, Boise State and SMU. Pachall’s value is a bit underrated because of the 231.6 yards per game, but just look at the win on the road against BSU. TCU needed him to step up and he came through with 473 yards and five touchdown passes on the Smurf Turf. He had similar showings against Baylor and SMU. He didn’t have to carry the offense on his back every game, but showed he could step up to the task. Pachall will have leading receiver Josh Boyce to lean on and the support of a stong running game.