CFB: Big Ten quarterback rankings
1. Justin Fields (Ohio State): Fields almost led Ohio State to the national championship in his first full season as a starter and most people expect him to be even better this year. He averaged 233.7 passing yards per game, to go along with an impressive 41 touchdowns and just three interceptions last year. Fields also completed 67.2% of his passes. The junior quarterback is easily the best signal caller in the Big Ten, and maybe the country.
2. Sean Clifford (Penn State): Clifford barely edged out Morgan for the second spot, but that's mainly because of what he has around him. He threw for 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions last year, helping Penn State defeat Memphis in the Cotton Bowl. Clifford also averaged 221.2 passing yards per game and completed 59.2% of his throws, which will have to improve this year if the Nittany Lions want to reach the Big Ten championship game.
3. Tanner Morgan (Minnesota): Morgan averaged 250.2 passing yards per game in 2020, as he helped Minnesota have their best season in a long time. The Golden Gophers are no longer flying under the radar, though, and some consider them favorites to win the Big Ten West. With expectations higher, Morgan will have to prove that last season wasn't a fluke and we think he can do that. The QB had 30 touchdowns and seven picks last year.
4. Jack Coan (Wisconsin): Coan will have to become more of a playmaker this season with Jonathan Taylor gone, and no superstar running back waiting in the wings like usual. At least to begin the year, Coan will be looked at to carry the load and we haven't exactly seen that yet. However, he was very consistent a year ago, averaging 194.8 passing yards per game, while totaling 18 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 69.6% completion rate.
5. Dylan McCaffrey (Michigan): McCaffrey makes it into the fifth spot but we still don't even know if he's going to be the starter in Ann Arbor. Jim Harbaugh has to make a decision between McCaffrey, Joe Milton, and Cade McNamara. We think Milton might actually get the nod, but McCaffrey is more experienced so we'll have him as a placeholder for now. McCaffrey completed 5/10 passes last year, backing up Shea Patterson. He finished with 113 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Next Up:
6. Michael Pennix Jr. (Indiana)
7. Jack Plummer (Purdue)
8. Adrian Martinez (Nebraska)
9. Peyton Ramsey (Northwestern)
10. Brandon Peters (Illinois)
11. Spencer Petras (Iowa)
12. Josh Jackson (Maryland)
13. Art Sitkowski (Rutgers)
14. Rocky Lombardi (Michigan State)
Photo Credit: NBC Sports.
