Predicting college football’s 5 most interesting QB battles in 2022
Most college football teams are taking part in spring practice or are getting ready for it and here’s a look at the top five QB battles heading into 2022.
As college football fans have learned over the years, there are few things more important than having an elite quarterback.
But for some programs, just having a reliable, productive quarterback is important. You could see the impact of lackluster quarterback play across the college football landscape last season.
Indiana, Florida, Clemson, LSU, and even Texas A&M are all examples of college football programs that were at least held back by poor quarterback play.
Of course, they weren’t alone and while some college football teams have solved their issues with highly-touted recruits or sure-fire additions in the transfer portal, there are plenty of jobs up for grabs, even in places where there aren’t any new faces.
One of those teams is Michigan. The Wolverines have two talented quarterbacks and that’s where we’ll start with our look at the five most interesting college football QB battles heading into 2022.
Michigan projected starter: Cade McNamara
Cade McNamara gets the dreaded label of “game-manager” but he helped Michigan football win its first Big Ten championship since 2004 and earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors in the process.
Now, McCarthy is supremely talented. It was clear watching the Orange Bowl that he can do things that McNamara simply can’t.
However, McCarthy has been dealing with soreness in his throwing shoulder since that game and it sounds like he’s being shut down for the spring to avoid surgery.
Those reps would have been extremely valuable for McCarthy who needs to take a big leap and cut down on the mistakes if he wants to surpass McNamara.
McCarthy will play more — a lot more. But Michigan will use both quarterbacks, at least to start next season, and the opening-day starter in my book next season wil be McNamara.
Whether he’s still starting over McCarthy when the Ohio State game comes around is another question.