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Each week, former South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia will grade the SEC quarterbacks’ performances.
We begin with Week 6’s Valedictorian, Tennessee’s dual-threat sensation Joshua Dobbs, who ran and passed the Vols past Georgia:
Joshua Dobbs (Tennessee): 25-42 for 312 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
My take: Well, that was a hell of game, huh? Dobbs put the Vols on his back and led them to a huge comeback win over Georgia with his arm and legs (118 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns). He now has 2 games in his young career in which he’s thrown for over 300 yards and rushed for over 100 yards. This was against a pretty good Georgia defense too. Dobbs threw seeds all over Neyland stadium. He got some help from his wide receivers, who made some really good plays, but that’s why it’s a team game. Dobbs still remains to be one of, if not the best, quarterback in the SEC.
My grade: A+
Chad Kelly (Ole Miss): 24-33 for 384 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
My take: Kelly played against a much easier foe this week and it showed. He did have one interception but was spinning the ball all over the field. It’s really good to see Laquon Treadwell back to full strength. This was a nice tune up game and recovery game after last week’s loss at Florida.
Grade: A
Jacob Coker (Alabama): 23-32 for 249 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
My take: Coker has seemed to be playing with much more confidence over the past couple of weeks. He was sharp Saturday against a very good Arkansas defense. He had a few high throws and threw into double coverage that resulted in picks but stayed poised and finished very accurately in the second half. Coker would have gotten an A without the turnovers.
Grade: B+
Greyson Lambert (Georgia): 15-32 for 279 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
My take: Lambert had a much better outing this game than he did last week. He threw probably the best ball I saw all weekend, but was dropped. He did miss some throws that I figured he could make pretty easily but he also made some very accurate throws on difficult passes. The Bulldogs will be counting on him much more now without Nick Chubb.
Grade: B+
Will Grier (Florida): 20-33 for 208 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs
My take: Well it wasn’t fireworks for Grier like it was last week against Ole Miss. Missouri has one of the better pass defenses in the SEC and proved that this weekend. Grier was still efficient and made the throws that he needed to. He didn’t do anything spectacular but managed the game well and didn’t turn the ball over. They will have their hands full when they play against LSU this coming weekend but Grier has improved each week. You can see his confidence growing each week and that resonates around the locker room.
Grade: B
Brandon Harris (LSU): 18-28 for 228 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
My take: Harris played very well this weekend against a struggling South Carolina defense. I thought he made good reads and made accurate throws the entire game. With LSU’s run game and Harris playing like he did today, the Tigers will be hell to contend with
Grade: B
Brandon Allen (Arkansas): 15-32 for 176 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
My take: Allen made some plays against a tough Tide defense. I think people really underestimate his speed and arm strength. His big play — the 54-yard touchdown pass to Dominique Reed — came in the final minute with the outcome decided.
Grade: B-
Perry Orth (South Carolina): 14-28 for 200 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
My take: Orth got the nod this week after Lorenzo Nunez was sidelined with a shoulder injury. I thought Perry played well in his second career start against a really good LSU defense in Baton Rouge. He made some good throws, but the offense still looks pretty flat and one dimensional with Pharoh Cooper being the only weapon.
Grade: C
Drew Lock (Missouri): 16-39 for 151 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs
My take: Lock had a rough day against a stingy Gators defense. He missed some throws and his youth showed. I think he’ll become a really good quarterback in this conference, but he has to continue to grow. The key stat? Missouri was 0-for-14 on third down.
Grade: D
Dak Prescott (Mississippi State): 3-6 for 74 yards, 1 TD
My take: Prescott didn’t have a very day at the office today. He threw 6 passes and ran the ball once in their dominant victory over Troy.
Grade: Inc.
The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
