We rank the top 10 college football quarterbacks and after a loss by Caleb Williams and USC, we have a new No. 1.
Caleb Williams has dominated our power ranking of college football quarterbacks this season, holding the No. 1 ranking from the preseason through the end of Week 6.
However, Notre Dame’s defense changed that. The Irish intercepted Williams three times in the first half on Saturday night and dominated the Trojans 48-20, putting a huge dent in USC’s playoff resume.
It was also a major blow to Caleb Williams Heisman hopes. Check out where he and others stand in our college football quarterback power rankings following Week 7 of the college football season.
10. Quinn Ewers, Texas
Carson Beck was very close to taking this spot. But I had Quinn Ewers in the top 10 of QB power rankings last week. The Horns were off and Ewers has still been stellar. He doesn’t have huge stats, but others on this list don’t either. I still think back to the Alabama game. Ewers did throw two interceptions against Oklahoma. He also threw six total incompletions, had over 330 yards passing, and got Texas a go-ahead field goal with a minute left.
9. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Sanders had another great statistical outing with 400 yards and five touchdown passes in an overtime loss to Stanford. He’s leading college football in passing yards and also had 21 touchdown passes, which is third among college football quarterbacks.
Yet, stats aren’t everything. It’s hard to put Sanders ahead of someone like Bo Nix or Jordan Travis. The Buffs had no business losing to Stanford and Sanders isn’t blameless despite a huge statistical day.
8. Bo Nix, Oregon
Yes, Oregon lost on Saturday and Bo Nix could have executed better on a couple of fourth-down plays but he accounted for 350 total yards and led Oregon to 33 points on the road in a top-10 matchup. That’s a solid enough performance for him to hold steady. Nix has 17 touchdowns compared to just one interception this season. His rushing numbers are down and he’s got just 101 yards and a touchdown this season, but Nix is still among the best college football quarterbacks this season in my book.
7. Jordan Travis, Florida State
Travis threw for 284 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns in the win over Syracuse for Florida State last week. Travis had 13 touchdown passes and just one turnover. He also had four rushing touchdowns and has delivered in the biggest moments this season for the Seminoles even if he doesn’t have eye-popping numbers. This week will be another big opportunity for Travis against 16th-ranked Duke.
6. Drake Maye, North Carolina
The North Carolina quarterback is moving up our power rankings and moves up four spots following a four-touchdown game against Miami in a 41-31 win. Maybe people will start taking North Carolina for real this season but this was Maye’s third straight game with at least three total touchdowns. The numbers aren’t off the charts like Sanders – Drake Maye has 17 total touchdowns — but he’s completing 68 percent of his throws, hasn’t turned the ball over in three weeks, and ranks eighth among college football quarterbacks in QBR.
5. Jaylen Daniels, LSU
Jaylen Daniels has been spectacular this season. He’s third in college football in passing yards (2,294) and third in touchdown passes with 22. He’s completing 74.1 percent of his passes and also has 86 rushing attempts for 515 yards and four touchdowns. Daniels reminds me of Lamar Jackson and his Heisman candidacy isn’t finished quite yet just because he’s been so darn good. Four times this season, Daniels has accounted for over 400 total yards. He’s got five 300-yard passing games and three games with at least 90 yards rushing. He’s also fourth in QBR.
4. Caleb Williams, USC
It’s going to be tough to overcome Saturday’s night performance against Notre Dame in the Heisman race. Williams does have spectacular numbers still but threw for one touchdown and three interceptions against Notre Dame last week. There will be plenty of chances for USC to get back into the playoff mix and for Williams to put himself back near the top of the Heisman race. But USC can’t afford any more losses. Williams can’t afford another game like the one he had in South Bend. We’ll see if he can finally get the Trojans past Utah In Week 8.
3. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
J.J. McCarthy is moving up in the Heisman Trophy race, at least according to the latest odds released by FanDuel, and it’s easy to see why. McCarthy missed his first two passes last week against Indiana. He then completed 14-of-15 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns. McCarthy is No. 1 in QBR and second in completion percentage (75.7 percent). Five of his seven games have featured a QBR of better than 90. In another insane stat, McCarthy is 15-of-16 this season on third-and-seven or longer with every completion going for a first down or touchdown. He’s also 2-for-2 on fourth downs this season. That’s clutch.
2. Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma
Oklahoma was off last week, but Dillon Gabriel still moved up thanks to the drop of Caleb Williams. Gabriel is third in QBR and also has completed 72 percent of his passes. He’s got 21 total touchdowns and his 401-yard performance against Texas, which included a game-winning touchdown pass in the last 30 seconds is still fresh in my mind.
1. Michael Penix, Washington
Michael Penix Jr. had a potential Heisman moment with his game-winning touchdown drive for the Washington Huskies last week against Oregon. Washington has taken over as the favorite in the Pac-12 and Penix is the reason why. He’s third in college football in passing yards (2,301), as well as fourth in touchdown passes (20).
Penix Jr. is also second in QBR to only McCarthy. J.J. will have a chance to shine in big games later on this season, while Penix will too with games looming against USC, Utah, and Oregon State. If the Huskies get to the Pac-12 title game, they will have earned it.
Penix Jr. will also have earned the Heisman Trophy he would probably win in that scenario. He’s the reason Washington is a College Football Playoff contender and if his strong play continues, he’ll at least earn a trip to the Big Apple.