TOP OF THE ’FIELD
Baker leads class of touted QBs despite making trouble
IT WAS billed as the year of the quarterback, a group of NFL prospects who would own the sport this fall. It hasn’t quite worked out that way, especially for the big three of Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen and Josh Allen. The less-hyped signal callers, specifically Baker Mayfield, have stolen the headlines.
Below is a ranking of our top six quarterbacks, based on performance, not projection, and what they have done for their teams:
1. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
He lacks the arm strength and, at 6-foot-1, size of the others on the list, but he’s done what they haven’t: Win. Mayfield, the heavy Heisman Trophy favorite, has guided Oklahoma to a third straight Big 12 crown, overwhelming top defenses from Ohio State and TCU, and has thrown for 34 touchdowns, five interceptions, 3,816 yards, and completed over 70 percent of his passes. Around this time last year, most didn’t believe Deshaun Watson’s success at the college level would translate. It clearly did.
Now, unlike Watson, there are red flags about Mayfield off the field, drawing comparisons to Johnny Manziel. He handled himself poorly against Kansas, at one point grabbing his crotch and yelling “F--- you!” at the Jayhawks’ sideline after their captains refused to shake his hand pre-game and he was hit late on a few occasions. He was arrested in February for a misdemeanor complaint of disorderly conduct, public intoxication, fleeing, and resisting arrest. Some have criticized him for planting the Oklahoma flag in the middle of the Ohio State field after a big win and wearing a t-shirt Texas Tech fans made to mock its former quarterback, which was fun, the kind of stuff a college star should be able to do if he so chooses. This will all be gone over with a fine-tooth comb by NFL teams.
But the bottom line is on the field there is nothing to pick apart with Mayfield. He is the reason Oklahoma is likely headed to the College Football Playoff for the second time in three years, the best player in college football this fall.
2. Josh Rosen, UCLA
It would’ve been fun to see Rosen with Darnold’s talent at USC. Handcuffed by a poor offensive line and woeful defense, Rosen’s win-loss record was hardly impressive (5-6), but he was the reason the Bruins even sniffed .500, throwing for 24 scores, and 3,515 yards.
3. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Like Rosen, Jackson just didn’t get nearly enough help to make the Cardinals a contender. He did carry them with his arm and legs to seven wins, producing 40 touchdowns, 23 through the air, raising his completion percentage and lowering his interceptions in the process.
4. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma St.
Sure, he comes from a quarterback-friendly spread offense, but the numbers — 33 touchdown passes, nine interceptions and 4,115 passing yards, most in the country — are impossible to ignore.
5. Sam Darnold, USC
The golden boy has been a bust when you consider the sky-high expectations, producing the most turnovers (19) in the country. His completion percentage (63. 3) is down from last year, and he’s thrown for over 300 yards just six times in 12 games. It’s no wonder USC, a preseason title contender, is only on the periphery of the playoff race. The Trojans may have defeated UCLA on Saturday, but Rosen significantly outplayed Darnold. He should stay in school for another year, and not just to avoid joining the Browns.
6. Josh Allen, Wyoming
Scouts love his size and arm strength, but like Darnold, he took a step back this year, completing only 56 percent of his passes, and throwing just 13 touchdowns for a team that got annihilated by its two best opponents, Iowa and Oregon.
Harb’ day’s night
Remember when the hiring of Jim Harbaugh would create the new “Ten Year War,” when every Michigan-Ohio State game would be the most important game of the season? Well, this year’s showdown has no such appeal. Not even close. Its only significance is for the Buckeyes to remain in the playoff picture. Ohio State has clinched the Big Ten East crown, and Michigan is locked into fourth place, already with losses to the three best teams on its schedule: Michigan State, Penn State and Wisconsin.
If Harbaugh loses his third straight game to Urban Meyer, it would be the third straight three-loss season under Harbaugh, and serious concern will have arrived in Ann Arbor — if it hasn’t begun already.