(Terrence Wood- BYGP Contributor)
Would you agree that the natural reaction after an amazing college football season is to forecast what’s going to happen next season? No one can under-estimate the value of a field general playing the quarterback position, that can always find a way to keep his team in the game. QB’s such as USC’s Sam Darnold and Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, have left broadcasters in awe and donors eager to open their billfolds.
So as we close the door on the 2016-17 season, we figure it would only be fitting to give a little insight into the teams who may be just one “play-making” quarterback away, from a possible conference championship or a spot in next seasons college football playoffs.
Here we go!
1.) Wisconsin
(Don Sanger/ICon Sportswire)
- It’s amazing to think that any team can have a successful season while never fully settling on one starting quarterback. Well, the Wisconsin Badgers amazed everyone and did! The 11-3 Badgers relied heavenly on a stingy defense and smash-mouth running attack to bludgeon most of their opponents into submission. When you look at the lack of production from quarterbacks Alex Hornibrook and Bart Houston (14 TD’s / 10 ints), makes you wonder what Wisconsin’s season would have been with a prolific QB?
2.) Colorado
(Mike Brudenell/Detroit Free Press)
- It’s tough to pick on the Buffaloes considering the fact that they are just getting back into the college football spotlight after years of hiding in the basement. Their disappointing finish in the Pac12 Championship game and Alamo Bowl, highlighted a season long problem that was covered up by a very opportunistic defense and creative play-calling. QB, Sefo Liufau, had his moments for the Colorado Buffalos and definitely was the team’s vocal leader, but QB ratings of 0.7 vs Washington and 21.8 vs Oklahoma St. caused the Buffs to come up short in two of the biggest games of the past decade!
3.) Michigan
(Brad Mills/ USA Today)
- Anyone who claims to know anything about college football can clearly see that the Michigan football program is quickly climbing back to its prominent spot as one of the blue-bloods of college football under Jim Harbaugh. However, what got overlooked amongst this year’s results was the fact that their QB was holding them back. Wilton Speights was serviceable, but the fact that no one knew who Michigan’s QB would be until the first drive of the season, told us everything we need to know. However, with Jim Harbaugh as the Ann Arbor QB whisperer, it won’t be long until Michigan has a bonafide top-tier signal caller.
4.) West Virginia
(Justin K. Aller/ Getty Images)
- This may be the sleeper team of the year that nobody has really paid attention to. West Virginia was able to pull off a 10 win season this year and definitely has athletes on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately, against upper echelon college quarterbacks such as Mason Rudolph of Oklahoma St, Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma, and Brad Kaaya of Miami, the best quarterbacks prevailed!
