Top QB Battles

[Master Capper]

Air Force
As if replacing Chance Harridge wasn?t a daunting enough challenge, now the Falcons must cope with the loss of likely starter Adam Fitch for four to six months with a ruptured Achilles tendon. With Fitch on the mend, Andy Gray and Luke Ewing have been elevated to No. 2 and No. 3 on the depth chart, respectively. Neither has much experience nor possesses the running ability of the prototypical Air Force quarterback.
Prediction: Gray

Arizona
While the race is not yet over, the coaching staff made it clear that the job is Kris Heavner?s to lose. The second-year player, who appeared in nine games his freshman season, moved the chains better in April than either Nic Costa or Ryan O?Hara. If Costa fails to win the backup job, there?s a good chance he?ll be moved to another position, where his athleticism can best be utilized.
Prediction: Heavner

Army
Bobby Ross first pared his list of contenders from eight to three, and now must decide between upperclassmen Zac Dahman, Reggie Nevels and Matt Silva. Dahman holds the academy record for most passing yards in a season, but is assured of nothing with a new staff at West Point. Ross will wait until the first week of summer camp before selecting his starter.
Prediction: Dahman
Ball State
Throughout the month of April, and particularly in the spring game, Joey Lynch built considerable separation between himself and the competition. The sophomore closed out camp by going 18-of-30 for 270 yards and three scores in the Cardinal-White game. The battle for the backup job will be waged between Todd Racine and Casey Gillin.
Prediction: Lynch

Boise State
The closely watched duel between Mike Sanford and Jared Zabransky will remain a feature attraction in Boise for another four months. Sanford?a non-factor the past four years?surprised everyone with his improved play this spring. Zabransky, who needed to finish with a flurry just to keep pace, brings an electrifying skill set, but needs to improve his consistency. To the victor goes a delightful opportunity to be at the helm of one of the most potent offenses in the country.
Prediction: Sanford

Boston College
Everyone except Tom O?Brien has already handed the starting job to Paul Peterson. The coach insists Quinton Porter will have every chance to win the starting nod when the Eagles return to practice in August. And who could blame him after Peterson?s erratic spring game performance? In a unique move, O?Brien also stated the loser of the competition will be redshirted in order to ensure that Boston College has a veteran behind center when the program joins the ACC in 2005.
Prediction: Peterson

Bowling Green
Head coach Gregg Brandon ended much of the suspense surrounding Josh Harris? successor when he gave the keys of the offense to Omar Jacobs. Last year?s No. 2 is big and very fast, but needs to polish up his game if the Falcons are to challenge for a MAC crown. Van Johnson and Nick Thurman will contend for the backup job.
Prediction: Jacobs

BYU
Since Brandon Doman graduated, the Cougars have had quantity, but very little quality behind center. This spring, five quarterbacks got plenty of reps, but only three?Matt Berry, John Beck and Jason Beck were viable contenders. Berry has the most experience, but has been woefully inconsistent the past two years. Junior-college transfer Jason Beck has good tools, but needs more time to pick up the new system. That leaves John Beck, coach Gary Crowton?s best bet to preserve his job in 2004.
Prediction: John Beck

Central Florida
George O?Leary is reluctant to name a starter at this juncture, however, if the season started Saturday, there?s little doubt Steven Moffett would be taking snaps. The multi-dimensional sophomore got three valuable starts last November and represents the coach?s best option. Gary Connell and Brandon Sumner are running No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
Prediction: Moffett

Central Michigan
Jeff Perry?s decision to forego a fifth year of eligibility left the Chippewas with a wide-open race at quarterback. Upperclassmen Grant Arnoldink and Kent Smith were joined this spring by redshirt freshman Nick Gildersleeve, who played his way into the mix with a breakout spring game. Both he and Smith are mobile, which could be a factor when rookie coach Brian Kelly names his first starting quarterback this summer.
Prediction: Gildersleeve

East Carolina
Once the cornerstone of the Pirate program, the quarterback position has become the school?s biggest headache lately. James Pinkney looks capable of changing that trend. The sophomore separated from mistake-prone incumbent Desmond Robinson and untested Florida transfer Patrick Dosh and rose to the top of the depth chart. He fits new offensive coordinator Noah Brindise?s prototype for a quarterback?a big kid, who can sit in the pocket and locate receivers.
Prediction: Pinkney

Eastern Michigan
After exhibiting a nice grasp of the Eagles? new spread offense, Jeff Bohnet appears to have held off younger brother Ken Bohnet for the starting job. Also in the picture is oft-injured Jeff Crooks, who was the starter last season before breaking his leg in the season opener.
Prediction: Jeff Bohnet

Iowa
Barring a big drop-off in his performance, Drew Tate will be the Hawkeye starter when Kent State visits Kinnick Stadium Sept. 4. The sophomore used a solid month of play to hold off the hard-charging Jason Manson for now and maintain his position atop the depth chart. Tate is considered the better passer of the two and saw action last season as Nathan Chandler?s backup.
Prediction: Tate

Iowa State
The most talked about story in camp was the ascent of redshirt freshman Bret Meyer to the top of the depth chart alongside incumbent Austin Flynn. According to Dan McCarney, the two are in a dead heat that won?t be decided until the team reconvenes in August. Both are young, very athletic and learning all the time, so it?s no wonder the coach feels good about the Cyclones? future at quarterback.
Prediction: Meyer

Kansas
As a freshman last fall, Adam Barmann started three games in place of injured Bill Whittemore. As a sophomore, he?s on course to take the reins of the offense on a full-time basis. A bulked-up and more seasoned Barmann has the edge coming out of spring on Jason Swanson, who spent the past two seasons making plays for City College of San Francisco.
Prediction: Barmann

Kansas State
Dylan Meier used a terrific off-season to get a leg up in the battle to succeed Ell Roberson and earn glowing remarks from the usually reserved Bill Snyder. He doesn?t do any one thing great, but is athletic, throws a catchable ball and makes good decisions. Indiana transfer Allen Webb is slated to be the understudy this season.
Prediction: Meier

Louisiana Tech
Donald Allen took a big step forward in the tight four-man quarterback battle with his performance in the spring game. The junior connected on 14-of-20 passes for 223 yards and the game?s only two touchdowns. Matt Kubik and Zac Champion were also sharp, and will remain in the fold when the team gathers again in August. Brent Rawls, the Oklahoma transfer, who missed the second half of spring drills with a hand injury, will rejoin the competition this summer.
Prediction: Allen

LSU
What Marcus Randall lacks in eye-popping measurables, he?ll make up for with veteran leadership and a sound knowledge of the Tiger offense. That, and an above average spring game, makes him the man to beat despite Nick Saban?s vow of silence on the subject. Redshirt freshmen Jamarcus Russell and Matt Flynn have considerable upsides, but have some ground to make up if either is to unseat Randall.
Prediction: Randall

Maryland
Joel Statham struggled in the spring game, but never relinquished the lead he enjoyed when camp began. Ralph Friedgen announced Statham was his man by a wide margin and then tempered his support after the sophomore threw three interceptions in the first half of the Red-White game. Sam Hollenbach was steady in April and is still within striking distance of No. 1. If both collapse in August, hotshot recruit Jordan Steffy could make some noise.
Prediction: Statham

Miami University
The worst kept secret in Oxford is that fourth-year junior Josh Betts will succeed record-setting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Betts threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns in the spring finale and generally did nothing in the spring to alter the notion that he?ll be the RedHawks? next starting quarterback. Backup duties will be handled by freshman Mike Kokal.
Prediction: Betts

Miami
At least for now, Brock Berlin has put a swift end to the pending quarterback controversy at Miami. The beleaguered senior solidified his hold on the starting job and gained the confidence of the coaching staff by playing mistake-free football this spring. The only mystery at this point is whether popular Kyle Wright can surpass veteran Derrick Crudup in the race to be Berlin?s backup.
Prediction: Berlin

Michigan
For the first time in a couple of years, Lloyd Carr has a decision to make at quarterback, a decision that won?t be announced until August. Either Matt Gutierrez or Clayton Richard will take over for long-time starter Navarre. Gutierrez?last year?s backup?remains the favorite after showing steady improvement and veteran leadership this spring. Both quarterbacks played well in the spring game.
Prediction: Gutierrez

Michigan State
Drew Stanton is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered in the Alamo Bowl, but is still the favorite to replace Jeff Smoker. If he?s ready to go full steam in August, the job should be his for the taking. The play of Stephen Reaves, coupled with Damon Dowdell?s academic problems, has pushed the redshirt freshman to No. 2 on the depth chart for now.
Prediction: Stanton

 

[Master Capper]

Minnesota
Junior-college transfer Adam Ernst enjoyed a solid spring game, however Bryan Cupito remained the odds-on favorite to be the heir apparent to Asad Abdul-Khaliq. While Ernst finished the day 9-of-14 for 216 yards and a touchdown, it was Cupito?s poise, accuracy and knowledge of the offense throughout spring drills that drew favorable reviews from the coaching staff.
Prediction: Cupito

Mississippi
The weighty task of following in Eli Manning?s footsteps belongs to Michael Spurlock, a dynamic all-around quarterback, who conjures up memories of former Georgia Tech standout Joe Hamilton. The junior was terrific this spring. The only battle in Oxford this summer will be the one between Ethan Flatt and Robert Lane for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
Prediction: Spurlock

Mississippi State
Omarr Conner parlayed a strong spring into being named the No. 1 quarterback and the team?s most improved offensive player over the four-week session. Conner?s a gifted all-around athlete, who spent the early part of his college career catching, rather than throwing, passes. If he gets healthy in time for the start of the season, Kyle York can still be a factor in this race. The veteran of 17 Bulldog games had rotator cuff surgery in December and was limited last month to handoffs and non-passing drills.
Prediction: Conner

 

[Master Capper]

Navy
Aaron Polanco left few doubts this spring that he?s prepared to take over for record breaking Craig Candeto. The senior captain showed an ability to move the chains on the ground and through the air, and is a veteran of Paul Johnson?s spread attack. Lamar Owens, who drew praise from the coaching staff, is currently running No. 2 on the depth chart.
Prediction: Polanco



Nebraska
Unless incoming junior-college transfer Jordan Adams can unseat him in August, it looks as if Joe Dailey will be the first starting quarterback in the Bill Callahan era. Dailey absorbed as much of the playbook as possible in a short period of time and appeared comfortable running Callahan?s new spread attack when he had time to make the right reads. In the spring game, he completed 29-of-49 for 241 yards and four touchdowns.
Prediction: Dailey

Nevada
Chris Ault liked what he saw from his quarterbacks, but will wait another three months before plucking a starter from Andy Heiser, Jeff Rowe, Travis Moore and Sean St. Jacques. The winner will have a unique opportunity to play in a pass-happy offensive system that?s traditionally been very kind to the quarterback position. Heiser and Rowe have seniority and, not surprisingly, are the favorites to earn the starting nod.
Prediction: Heiser

New Mexico
Neither Kole McKamey nor Tali Ena floored Rocky Long with his performance in March and April, so the coach will wait until August before naming a starting quarterback. McKamey, last year?s backup, outplayed Ena in the Cherry-Silver game and probably has a marginal advantage at this stage. The sophomore is vying to become the first New Mexican to lead the Lobo offense since Barry Garrison did it in 1987.
Prediction: McKamey

North Carolina State
The race to replace Philip Rivers is down to two, last year?s No. 2 Jay Davis and former Parade All-American Marcus Stone. The pair split reps during the spring and were neck-and- neck, according to teammates. Davis has the edge in experience and the luxury of playing well in the spring game while Stone watched with an injury to the middle finger of his throwing hand. Chuck Amato will not name a starter until the summer.
Prediction: Davis

Ohio State
If the season began in May, Justin Zwick would be the starting quarterback, but Troy Smith would get snaps as his backup. So says Jim Tressel, who?s in no hurry to announce which of his gifted sophomores will be elevated to the top of the depth chart. The coach loves Zwick?s poise, presence and potential, so it?d qualify as an upset if he?s not the man when Cincinnati visits the Horseshoe the first Saturday in September.
Prediction: Zwick

Oklahoma State
With it uncertain whether two-year starter Josh Fields will return for his senior season or play professional baseball, a pair of freshmen made pitches for the possible vacancy. Redshirt freshman Donovan Woods and true freshman Bobby Reid got most of the reps in the spring, but Les Miles will refrain from naming a starter until Fields? destination is known. Both Woods and Reid have the running ability to add a different wrinkle to the Cowboy offense.
Prediction: Woods

Penn State
The typically tight-lipped Penn State brass is giving no indication whether Zack Mills or Michael Robinson will be the Lions? starting quarterback this season. In fact, even the participants themselves appear to be in the dark about their immediate fate. When it comes to Mills and Robinson, the only certainty is that both will play at some point this season. When and?in the case of the versatile Robinson?at which position remains to be seen.
Prediction: Mills

Pittsburgh
More than a dozen practices later, Tyler Palko and Luke Getsy are pretty much where they were a month ago?in a neck-and-neck race to replace Rod Rutherford. Getsy probably closed the gap on Palko this spring, but Walt Harris is in no hurry to name a starter. Both quarterbacks ran for their safety much of April behind a patchwork offensive line.
Prediction: Palko

San Diego State
Matt Dlugolecki closed spring camp where he began it?atop the depth chart. He?s got the edge in experience over backup Kevin O?Connell, but that alone may not be enough when freshman Darren Mougey joins the competition in August. Mougey was one of head coach Tom Craft?s prized recruits in February and Dlugolecki was sporadic when he got his opportunity to play last year.
Prediction: Dlugolecki

San Jose State
Considering the current state of the quarterback situation, it?s no surprise the Spartan offense will be emphasizing the run in 2004. Senior Dale Rogers has a razor thin edge over Adam Tafralis and Beau Pierce, but not enough to get a formal nomination. None of the three are going to make folks forget about Scott Rislov, who?s now a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Prediction: Rogers

South Carolina
Incumbent Dondrial Pinkins remains the favorite to hold on to his job, even though an official word hasn?t come from the coaching staff. Blake Mitchell entered camp with a bevy of backers, but failed to impress and may be in danger of slipping to No. 3. The wild card is sophomore Syvelle Newton, who used his tremendous athleticism to pass for 277 yards, rush for 71 more and direct four scoring drives in the ?Cocks? spring finale. Somehow, the coaches need to find a way to get the converted receiver on the field this fall.
Prediction: Pinkins

South Florida
Early in spring, head coach Jim Leavitt anointed Pat Julmiste the starter, a position he?ll carry into the summer session. The sophomore played sparingly as the backup to Ronnie Banks last year. The big story in camp was the play of freshman Evan Kraky, who looked the sharpest of the three and put himself in a position to challenge Banks for the backup job.
Prediction: Julmiste

Syracuse
It?s been six long years since Donovan NcNabb was on campus and the Orangemen had any kind of a threat behind center. And from the looks of things this spring, that isn?t about to change in 2004. Xzavier Gaines and Perry Patterson alternated with the first team and true freshman Joe Fields got valuable experience after graduating early from high school. Fields is the future, but the future probably won?t commence until 2005.
Prediction: Patterson

Tennessee
Neither C.J. Leak nor Rick Clausen did much this spring to quell the notion that one of the Vols? highly-touted true freshman can step up and win the job this summer. Leak will enter two-a-days as the starter, but his hold on the position is a tenuous one. Once they arrive on campus, all eyes will be fixated on Eric Ainge and Brent Schaeffer, the talented rookies UT fans are pinning their hopes upon.
Prediction: Schaeffer

Texas Tech
Robert Johnson entered camp as the most heralded quarterback out of the junior-college ranks. Sonny Cumbie exited camp as the surprising leader to replace the departed B.J. Symons. While Johnson struggled from time to time in a new system, Cumbie capped a steady spring by going 17-of-20 for 198 yards and two touchdowns in the annual Red-Black game. Mike Leach prefers veteran quarterbacks who know the playbook cold, which also bodes well for the senior Cumbie.
Prediction: Cumbie

TCU
Frogs are in the unique position of having two quarterbacks with extensive game experience. Tye Gunn is 8-0 as a starter, but has missed big chunks of the last two seasons with injuries. Brandon Hassell stepped in last year and went 7-2 in Gunn?s absence. Both got reps with the first team this spring and Gary Patterson is no closer to naming a starter than he was in March. However it plays out, both should see playing time in the fall.
Prediction: Gunn

 

[Master Capper]

Tulane
A program that?s had current pros Shaun King, Patrick Ramsey and J.P. Losman under center since 1999 faces uncertainty in 2004. Neither last year?s backup, Nick Cannon, LSU transfer Lester Ricard nor redshirt freshman Richard Irvin looked particularly sharp in spring, meaning coach Chris Scelfo will wait until the summer to name a starter. Cannon?s the heir apparent, but based on his sketchy play in March, he?s ripe to be unseated.
Prediction: Cannon

UNLV
As 2003 starter Kurt Nantkes rested a dislocated pubic bone, Shane Steichen made the most of his spring as the No. 1 quarterback. The sophomore drew words of high praise from John Robinson for his maturity and accuracy and set up a key summer battle that?ll ensue once Nantkes returns to 100%.
Prediction: Nantkes

UTEP
Omar Duarte has the biggest arm. Orlando Cruz is the most mobile. And Jordan Palmer, whose brother Carson won the 2002 Heisman Trophy, has the pedigree. All three have started at least five games at UTEP, but none impressed first-year head coach Mike Price enough this spring to make the coach?s decision an easy one. The competition will spill over to the summer, with the winner getting a chance to lead an offense that should pile up plenty of yards.
Prediction: Cruz


Virginia
The talented, yet unproven, quartet of Marques Hagans, Chris Olsen, Anthony Martinez and Kevin McCabe auditioned this spring without a clear-cut starter being named. Hagans?the veteran of the group?will head into summer as the favorite, but this competition is far from over. Martinez has hinted he?ll consider joining the baseball team if he gets buried on the depth chart. The Cavs need someone to step up and seize this vacancy, but it didn?t happen in April.
Prediction: Hagans

Virginia Tech
Bryan Randall has made 25 straight starts for the Hokies, yet continues to be embroiled in a quarterback controversy. That?ll happen when your competition is Marcus Vick. Randall?s still No. 1, but the coaching staff?s dissatisfaction with his performance this spring ran counter to their praise of Vick?s overall development. Vick still faces a May 14 court date on four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, stemming from a Jan. 27 incident at his apartment.
Prediction: Randall

Washington
Casey Paus maintains the slight edge he had at the beginning of camp, but lost some ground to Carl Bonnell, the athletic redshirt freshman, who showed in April that he?s capable of mounting a challenge for the lead role. Isaiah Stanback can be an exciting playmaker, but needs to improve in the passing game in order to win the job.
Prediction: Bonnell

Washington State
It was a memorable spring for Josh Swogger, who held off Alex Brink for the starting role and became just the second sophomore in Wazzu history to be named a co-captain. Both quarterbacks played well in April, but Swogger prevailed largely on his superior arm strength and experience as Matt Kegel?s backup in 2003.
Prediction: Swogger

Western Michigan
What began as a five-man competition for the starting job has been pared to a more manageable two-horse race between juniors Blayne Baggett and Rutgers transfer Ryan Cubit. Baggett, now in his fourth season in Kalamazoo, displayed a nice grasp of the spread attack and outplayed Cubit in the Broncos? equivalent of a spring game. Although a starter hasn?t been named, he?ll take a small advantage into the four-month break.
Prediction: Baggett

Wisconsin
The only race with any drama will be the one between Tyler Donovan and Matt Schabert for the No. 2 job. Strong-armed John Stocco solidified his grip on the top spot with a solid spring that was capped by an even better spring game. Playing just the first half of the Cardinal-White game, the sophomore connected on 12-of-18 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns.

Wyoming
Corey Bramlet, brother of Casey, last year?s starter and the most prolific passer in school history, is firmly entrenched as the Cowboy starter. His backup this season is not nearly as certain. J.J. Raterink appears to have a slight edge, but he?ll challenged in August by redshirt freshmen Zach Weidenaar and Jacob Doss.

 

[Cie]

What Marcus Randall lacks in eye-popping measurables, he?ll make up for with veteran leadership and a sound knowledge of the Tiger offense. That, and an above average spring game, makes him the man to beat despite Nick Saban?s vow of silence on the subject. Redshirt freshmen Jamarcus Russell and Matt Flynn have considerable upsides, but have some ground to make up if either is to unseat Randall.

Solid info as usual. After watching the Spring Game, I would be shocked if Randall did not retain his current grasp of the #1 slot on the depth chart.