October 16, 2022 5:32 pm ET
Another week is down in the Big Ten and it’s time for us to check in on which conference quarterbacks are doing the best at their position, including Ohio State football’s C.J. Stroud.
The metric we like to use more than any other is ESPN’s Total QBR rating because we find it to be a better indicator of performance because it takes into account many other things others don’t including the level of competition.
According to ESPN, Adjusted Total Quarterback Rating “values the quarterback on all play types on a 0-100 scale adjusted for the strength of opposing defenses faced.”
OK. we’re game.
So where are Stroud and other Big Ten signal-callers following Week 7 of the college football season? Here’s a ranking of the top 14 based on quarterbacks that play an average of 20 action plays per game.
14
Spencer Petras, Iowa
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras (7) stands with teammates tight end Bryce Schulte (48) and defensive back Riley Moss (33) after an NCAA college football game in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl against Kentucky, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR | 23.1
Total Before Last Week | 22.1
Ranking Last Week | 14 (⇔ no change)
13
Evan Simon, Rutgers
Sep 24, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Evan Simon (3) throws against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at SHI Stadium. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR | 38.1
Total Before Last Week | 37.3
Ranking Last Week | 11 (⇔ no change)
12
Ryan Hilinski, Northwestern
Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR | 47.4
Total Before Last Week | 46.1
Ranking Last Week | 11 (⇓ one spot)
11
Connor Bazelak, Indiana
Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR | 48.3
Total Before Last Week | 42.5
Ranking Last Week | 12 (⇑ one spot)
10
Casey Thompson, Nebraska
Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR | 53.3
Total Before Last Week | 55.6
Ranking Last Week | 11 (⇑ one spot)
9
Graham Mertz, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) against Eastern Michigan during their football game on Saturday, September 11, 2021, in Madison, Wis. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR | 59.1
Total Before Last Week | 65.5
Ranking Last Week | 7 (⇓ two spots)
8
Payton Thorne, Michigan State
Oct. 8, 2022; East Lansing; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) scrambles and tries to evade Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (10) at Spartan Stadium. Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR | 61.7
Total Before Last Week | 54.4
Ranking Last Week | 9 (⇑ one spot)
7
Tanner Morgan, Minnesota
Sep 10, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) passes in the third quarter against Western Illinois Leathernecks at Huntington Bank Stadium. Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR | 62.8
Total Before Last Week | 65.6
Ranking Last Week | 6 (⇓ one spot)
6
Sean Clifford, Penn State
Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford takes off on the ground during the 2022 Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 23, 2022, in State College. Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR | 65.4
Total Before Last Week | 65.2
Ranking Last Week | 8 (⇑ two spots)
5
Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland
Nov 7, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) runs with the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 74.8
Total Before Last Week: 75.4
Ranking Last Week: 4 (⇓ one spot)
4
Tommy DeVito, Illinois
Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR | 74.8
Total Before Last Week | 65.8
Ranking Last Week | 5 (⇑ one spot)
3
Aidan O’Connell, Purdue
Nov 6, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O’Connell (16) drops back to pass the ball in the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Ross-Ade Stadium. Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR | 77.3
Total Before Last Week | 80.2
Ranking Last Week | 3 (⇔ no change)
2
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the offense against the Connecticut Huskies during the first half at Michigan Stadium, Saturday, September 17, 2022.
Mich Conn.
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR | 81.2
Total Before Last Week | 82.0
Ranking Last Week | 2 (⇔ no change)
1
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR | 94.4
Total Before Last Week | 94.8
Ranking Last Week | 1 (⇔ no change)
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