Big 12 Football: 5 worst starting quarterback situations for 2017

By Andrew Miller | Jul 19, 2017

PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Zach Smith #4 of the Baylor Bears drops back to pass during the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl against the Boise State Broncos at Chase Field on December 27, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Jacob Park #10 of the Iowa State Cyclones scrambles for yards past defensive back Dakari Monroe #19, linebacker Christian Tago #4, and linebacker Frank Ginda #5 of the San Jose State Spartans in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 44-10 over the San Jose State Spartans. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)

AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Jacob Park #10 of the Iowa State Cyclones scrambles for yards past defensive back Dakari Monroe #19, linebacker Christian Tago #4, and linebacker Frank Ginda #5 of the San Jose State Spartans in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 44-10 over the San Jose State Spartans. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

The quarterback job in Ames is Jacob Park’s for the taking. He is the clear cut starter after throwing for 1,791 and 12 touchdowns. The junior quarterback showed that he can keep Iowa State competitive in quite a few games. However, actually winning those games is the big need at hand for the Cyclones.

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Near victories against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Kansas State Wildcats, and Baylor Bears slipped through Iowa State’s fingers last season, each by less than seven points. That’s something that Cyclone fans will not forget anytime soon. If Park can progress into his junior year with significant improvement those close losses might be able to turn into victories.

Much like most of the quarterbacks on this list, Park is this high because of the question marks surrounding him and Iowa State, not his overall talent. Park showed, at times, last year how good he could be. Furthermore, he also has weapons like wide receiver Allen Lazard and running backs Mike Warren and David Montgomery to work with.

There’s more than enough talent for the Cyclone offense to be successful in 2017. Yet, it seems like Iowa State can never put it all together to get themselves out of the basement in the Big 12. They’re always better than Kansas but really no one else. They finally have the opportunity to get themselves back to bowl eligibility in 2017.