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Big 12 Football: 5 worst starting quarterback situations for 2017

By Andrew Miller

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)
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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ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Texas Tech Red Raiders interacts with Patrick Mahomes II #5 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders after a touchdown during the game against the Baylor Bears on November 25, 2016 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 54-35. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Texas Tech Red Raiders interacts with Patrick Mahomes II #5 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders after a touchdown during the game against the Baylor Bears on November 25, 2016 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 54-35. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

It has to scare Texas Tech fans that Patrick Mahomes could only lead them to a five win season in 2016 and now they have a new quarterback taking over. Nic Shimonek looks the part but Mahomes was one of the most talented QB’s in the country. That leaves big shoes to fill and you can never say for sure if an inexperienced player can actually take over.

Shimonek performed well when he played in 2016. In limited action, he threw for more than 400 yards with six touchdowns and only one interception. There’s a very good chance that Shimonek puts up the best numbers of any quarterback on this list and could even be among the conference passing leaders. Yet, the amount of pressure on Texas Tech’s quarterbacks to keep up with an inept defense is huge.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury is on the hot seat which does not make Shimonek’s job any easier knowing that the guy who recruited him might not have a chance of making it through the season. Another five win season from the Red Raiders would likely cost Kingsbury his job. Kingsbury might also keep a short leash for Shimonek because of the pressure on him to win games this year.

Losing a first round NFL Draft pick and a quarterback that threw for more than 5,000 yards and 40 touchdowns is nothing easy for any team in college football to replace, let alone a team like Texas Tech that needs the QB to be the focal point of the team.

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