Week six of college football wasn’t the most exciting for the top potential QBs for the 2015 class, some played better than others and some had some interesting tests. Let’s take a look at how they did.
– Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford 6-4 , 228lbs (redshirt junior)
18/36 158 0 TD 2 INT & 1 RUSH TD vs Notre Dame
Next Opp: Washington State (Friday)
This was going to be a good test for Hogan as the Notre Dame defense has has a resurgence under new Defensive Coordinator Brian VanGorder. They were on Hogan all game and forced two INTs against Hogan. I wanted to see Hogan perform better in this game, but then again I am a Notre Dame die hard, so I was torn between the two; however, looking at this game objectively, Hogan had a bad game and it’ll be a game that dings him during the draft process. This has become quite the rivalry and the Irish got the best of Hogan on this one. Hogan should have a nice bounce back game against fellow Pac-12 team in Washington State. It’ll be interesting to see if this becomes a shootout, much of that will depend on Stanford’s defense and ability to corral Cougar’s Connor Halliday who has been passing the ball all over the place. The game is tonight, so if you can catch the game tune in.
– Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State 6-4, 210lbs (redshirt junior)
11/29 234 1 TD 1 INT vs Nebraska
Next Opp: Purdue
Unlike the past few games where Michigan State was able to score fast and then able to pull Cook for protection, against the Huskers he had to bring his lunch pail and put in some work. Outside of the 1 INT, Cook showed up to the challenge of facing the stingy Nebraska defense and was able to move the ball and give the Spartans a victory. This was a defensive game and the Spartans got the best of the Huskers. This was a good performance by Cook and a very calculated performance. Cook faces the Boilermakers this week and he should have another nice game. Purdue has underrated defense and can make some plays, so it won’t be a full cruise control game for Cook, but if it becomes one, that would be impressive as well. Cook is right there with Mariota and Hundley when it comes to the top tier QBs that may enter the draft this year, he’s a complete QB.
– Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State 6-4, 235lbs (redshirt sophomore)
23/39 297 1 TD 1 INT & 1 RUSH TD vs Wake Forest
Next Opp: @ Syracuse
Winston put in a solid game, and it was expected considering the level of competition against Wake Forest. The only thing I’d say about this game is that I was expecting a bigger blow out than what it was; that being said, Winston had a good game. Florida State is still ranked #1 in the nation, but they will begin to hit some better competition and it’ll begin this Saturday against Syracuse. Syracuse has shown some flashes on defense, and same on offense. To me this could be a classic trap game. I don’t see the Seminoles losing this one, they will be on the road and the game may offer some wrinkles against Winston. Now, the following game against Notre Dame is going to be Winston’s biggest test of the year.
– Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon 6-5, 218lbs (redshirt junior)
20/32 276 2 TD 0 INT & 1 RUSH TD vs Arizona State
Next Opp: @ UCLA
As expected Mariota was going to be challenged against the Sun Devils and their defense got the best of Mariota. The Ducks were stifled in the 1st half and they had a difficult time converting on 3rd down. It was a close game, but this needed to be a game Mariota could continue to backup his ability to play against top tier defenses. He did it against Michigan State, but could not duplicate the performance against the Sun Devils. This was a home game for the Ducks, so there is something to be said about Arizona State’s performance and it’ll be a game the scouts take a closer look at when it comes to Mariota. The game this Saturday will have a Bowl Game atmosphere as they travel on the road against UCLA. Wow, I can’t wait to see this game. Should be a nice display by both QBs. This will be another good test for Mariota as he goes on the road against a formidable Bruins team led by Hundley.
– Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA 6-3, 223lbs (redshirt junior)
16/21 269 2TD 1 INT vs Utah
Next Opp: Oregon
Many teams in the Top 10 imploded last week and the Bruins were not immune to upsets that were happening around the nation. For his part, Brett Hundley had a good game statistically speaking, but to lose at home against an unranked team may raise some eyebrows or at the minumum raise questions about Hundley’s consistency. Hundley has had a pretty good year and improved from last year, so maybe this was just a hiccup. The Bruins will host their 2nd consecutive home game this week, but this time it’ll be against Oregon. Depending on how the Bruins defense holds up, Hundley may have to carry the team on his arm to pull out this win. Either way, this game will tell us a lot about Hundley and Mariota. This is a can’t miss game, be sure to tune in and catch these two duel it out.
– Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor 6-3, 230lbs (redshirt senior)
7/22 111 2 TD 0 INT vs Texas
Next Opp: TCU
I said it last week, and felt Baylor would begin to feel some pressure from some better competition and Texas gave the Bears a good game considering everyone has stuck a fork in the Longhorns a few weeks ago. The Bears were anemic on offense in the 1st half and only mustered 1 TD. Petty could not convert 3rd downs against the Longhorns and he struggled to light up their defense. It wasn’t an impressive win for Baylor and I think there’s a feeling that Baylor could be in trouble and could be a “fake” top 10 team. It won’t get any easier for Petty as they face #9 TCU. Baylor will have the homefield advantage, but this could be a game that send the Bears on a downward spiral in the top 25. If they had a hard time against Texas, TCU will give them fits and may win this game in convincing fashion. I’m very curious to see how Petty takes on some true adversity this year. There are questions in regard to the Bears QBs and whether or not this is just a system any QB can play, but then unable to take their game to the NFL. Baylor has a brutal schedule coming up and will be seeing Oklahoma in Norman, then the following week against Oklahoma State and Kansas State to close out the year. Those are just a few of their games coming up, so it’ll be interesting to see if Petty can hang, it very well could clinch his draft stock as a 1-3rd pick or late round pick. His performance will tell us what he is.
Previous weeks coverage:
http://thedallascowboys.net/blog/?p=11327
http://thedallascowboys.net/blog/?p=11173
http://thedallascowboys.net/blog/?p=11046
http://thedallascowboys.net/blog/?p=10911
http://thedallascowboys.net/blog/?p=10654
http://thedallascowboys.net/blog/?p=8962
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