PAC-12 QB Rankings

It's week 3 in college football but week 2 of the quarterback rankings. After a lackluster showing in week 1 the conference largely bounced back (looking at you, Oregon) in week 2.rnrnWhere do the conference quarterbacks end up after 8 quarters of football? Let's take a look.rnrn rnrn#12 Seth Collins, Oregon Staternrn[caption id="attachment_36391" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sep 12, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Desmond Morgan (3) sacks Oregon State Beavers quarterback Seth Collins (4) in the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 35-7. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrnThe Beavs needed a strong second half to beat lowly Weber St. but were clearly over matched against Michigan. In the second half of the UM game the OSU offense mustered a measly 9 yards. Up next is San Jose State in Corvalis.rnrn rnrn#11 Sefo Liufau, Coloradornrn[caption id="attachment_36392" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sep 12, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau (13) hands off to running back Patrick Carr (1) in the first quarter against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrnSefo was mildly efficient against UMass in an easy win, but virtually all of the damage done was by the running backs. 15 of 24 passing for a touchdown is ok, but against Massachusetts should be MUCH more. There is room for improvement, but against Colorado State this week that could be hard to come by.rnrn rnrn#10 Mike Bercovici, Arizona Staternrn[caption id="attachment_36393" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sep 12, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) against the Cal Poly Mustangs at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrnSure, ASU beat Cal Poly as they were expected to. But it took a strong 4th quarter to do so. 23-35 for 283 yards and 3 touchdowns is not that bad. But tack on an interception and 10 (!!!) sacks on the young season, and Sun Devil fans are dreaming of the days when Taylor Kelly was under center. A visit from New Mexico this week should help Bercovici build some confidence.rnrn rnrn#9 Travis Wilson, Utahrnrn[caption id="attachment_36394" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sep 11, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Travis Wilson (7) is tackled by Utah State Aggies cornerback Jalen Davis (13) during the first half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrnTravis Wilson has been about as good as advertised so far, but an early injury against Utah St. slides him down the list by default. He was 9-12 for 76 yards before a hard fall on the shoulder knocked him out of the game. He is expected to miss a couple weeks.rnrn rnrn#8 Jake Browning, Washingtonrnrn[caption id="attachment_36395" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sep 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) gets a pass off despite the pressure from Sacramento State Hornets defensive lineman George Obinna (95) during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrnWashington easily handled Sacramento St. with 49 points scored in the 2nd and 3rd quarters alone. The numbers eventually showed up for Jake, 17-24 for 326 yards and 2 touchdowns, but his first was about as lucky as they get. Threw the open hands of the defender and to the receiver is not how you draw it up. I expect a few more freshman growing pains, including some against a talented Utah St. defense this Saturday.rnrn rnrn#7 Kevin Hogan, Stanfordrnrn[caption id="attachment_36396" align="aligncenter" width="300"] September 12, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal quarterback Kevin Hogan (8, center) runs with the football during the third quarter against the Central Florida Knights at Stanford Stadium. The Cardinal defeated the Knights 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrnThe 5th year senior looked a lot more like what we expected against UCF, to the tune of 341 yards and 3 touchdowns on 17-29 passing. Was last week's dud against Northwestern a fluke? Will the real Kevin Hogan please stand up? We should find out a lot more about his maturity and leadership in a tough match up this week at #6 USC.rnrn rnrn#6 Anu Solomon, Arizonarnrn[caption id="attachment_36397" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sep 12, 2015; Reno, NV, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Anu Solomon (12) sets to throw in the first quarter of their NCAA football game with the Nevada Wolf Pack at MacKay Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrnThe Arizona offense is rounding into mid-season form and Solomon has a lot to do with that. 24-33 for 264 yards and two touchdowns is respectable, especially against a stout Nevada defense. With Scooby Wright missing a few more weeks the offense will need to carry this team. A mop up game against Northern Arizona comes next before a showdown with UCLA lingers a week out.rnrn rnrn#5 Luke Falk, Washington Staternrn[caption id="attachment_36398" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sep 12, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Luke Falk passes before being hit by Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph (51) during first half at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrnFalk was the conference player of the week and for good reason. 47-66 for 478 yards and 4 touchdowns. Oh yeah, no interceptions. That brings his season to 767 yards passing, 6 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. He would be even higher on the list had he not missed a few drives against Portland State. Look for a soft Wyoming defense to yield 500+ passing yards this week.rnrn rnrn#4 Vernon Adams Jr., Oregonrnrn[caption id="attachment_36399" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) attempts to throw the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrnIn a losing effort against Michigan State in a very hostile environment Adams managed 309 through the air but just a single touchdown and 2 interceptions. He did add a touchdown on the ground. Factor in a broken finger and this was a gutsy performance for a guy used to playing against Montana State. The level of difficulty keeps Vernon fairly high on the list this week. He may get to rest this week against Georgia State.rnrn rnrn#3 Josh Rosen, UCLArnrn[caption id="attachment_36400" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sep 12, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) receives the snap against the UNLV Rebels during the third quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrnUCLA easily handled UNLV on some hideous turf in Las Vegas. I say UCLA because Rosen himself did not do much to beat the Rebels. 22-42 for 223 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Those numbers would be acceptable against USC but not UNLV. He is (slowly) trending down. A big game against #19 BYU should tell us more about the moxie of the true freshman.rnrn rnrn#2 Jared Goff, Californiarnrn[caption id="attachment_36401" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sep 12, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) drops back to throw against San Diego State Aztecs in the 2nd quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrnGoff only needed 24 attempts to reach 304 yards passing with 3 touchdowns, although he did toss a pick. This offense is really clicking and every defensive coordinator in the conference is taking notice. That group of 11 can be scary good this season. A little redemption from 2004 is at stake against Texas this week. That should be a good one (if Texas decides to show up).rnrn rnrn#1 Cody Kessler, USCrnrn[caption id="attachment_36402" align="aligncenter" width="300"] September 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) throws against the Idaho Vandals during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrnKessler and the Trojans dominated Idaho on Saturday. Sure Idaho is not the best gauge of how good your team is; thanks a lot Mike Breske. Regardless, Kessler was on fire: 26-31 for 410 yards and 3 touchdowns. This team is starting to resemble the juggernaut we all remember under Pete Carroll. A tough game against Stanford is next.

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