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As a website dedicated to covering the best football conference that America has to offer, we can sometimes get tunnel vision. After many months of analyzing every aspect of each SEC team ad nauseam, it’s time to look outside of the conference.
Specifically, the quarterback position.
It’s no secret that quarterbacks can make up for many other deficiencies. The SEC has an interesting slate of non-conference opponents in 2017, and though it won’t have to deal with Deshaun Watson ever again, many of these quarterbacks present a potential problem.
We’ve compiled a ranking of the 10 best quarterbacks that SEC teams will face in non-conference play. It includes the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and several contenders.
Keep in mind that some teams have yet to decide on a starter, so although there might be some talented players competing for the job, we don’t know if they will see the field this fall and have kept them off this list.
No. 10: David Blough, Purdue
2016 stats: 295/517 (57.1%), 3,352 Yds, 25 TDs, 21 INTs
SEC opponent: at Missouri, Sept. 16
Purdue hasn’t won more than three games since 2012, but the Boilermakers finished with the No. 21-ranked passing offense last season. Much of that had to do with Blough. Although he struggled with interceptions and inaccuracy, Blough should benefit from the presence of new head coach Jeff Brohm. While at Western Kentucky, Brohm oversaw some of the nation’s most prolific passing offenses and he should have as good a chance as anyone to get the most out of Blough.
No. 9: Matt Linehan, Idaho
2016 stats: 257/415 (61.9%), 3,184 Yds, 19 TDs, 10 INTs
SEC opponent: at Missouri, Oct. 21
A three-year starter at Idaho, Linehan has improved each season. He’s cut down on his touchdown-to-interception ratio every year and improved his yards per attempt. Entering his senior season, Linehan’s consistency is apparent. He rarely takes Idaho out of games and has made enough big plays to be considered a threat.
This play by @VandalFootball QB @MattLinehan_10 was pretty amazing. He tucks the football, almost gets sacked, then tossed a 54-YD TD. pic.twitter.com/uK4jc1v9Rz
— Jay Tust (@KTVBSportsGuy) December 23, 2016
No. 8: Ryan Finley, N.C. State
2016 stats: 243/402 (60.4%), 3,055 Yds, 18 TDs, 8 INTs
SEC opponent: vs. South Carolina, Sept. 2
Finley’s first season with the Wolfpack might not have been overwhelming, but he did provide stable play for much of the year. With several players returning, Finley is in good shape to build upon his debut. Teams won’t have to worry about Finley getting outside of the pocket, but he has proven to be efficient from inside of it.
No. 7: Wilton Speight, Michigan
2016 stats: 204/331 (61.6%), 2,538 Yds, 18 TDs, 7 INTs
SEC opponent: vs. Florida, Sept. 2
Jim Harbaugh has stockpiled an impressive group of quarterbacks, but Speight is expected to remain the starter this fall. Although there are some in Ann Arbor who would like to see redshirt freshman Brandon Peters or incoming signee Dylan McCaffrey take the job, Speight has experience. A 10-game winner last season, Speight is considered by most to be a game manager, although he has the upside to make big plays at times.
No. 6: Kenny Hill, TCU
2016 stats: 269/440 (61.1%), 3,208 Yds, 17 TDs, 13 INTs; 609 Rush Yds, 10 TDs
SEC opponent: at Arkansas, Sept. 9
SEC fans should be pretty familiar with “Trill.” The former Texas A&M quarterback had an up-and-down debut season with TCU, but there is hope that he will be much improved in his second season. It’s no guarantee that Hill remains the starter, but he is considered the favorite at this point and has the raw talent to build upon. Hill lost both of his games against the SEC last season, but he totaled 688 yards and six touchdowns against Arkansas and Georgia.
No. 5: Brent Stockstill, Middle Tennessee
2016 stats: 262/414 (63.3%), 3,233 Yds, 31 TDs, 7 INTs
SEC opponent: vs. Vanderbilt, Sept. 2
A two-year starter, Stockstill topped 3,000 yards as a freshman and a sophomore, despite playing in only 10 games last season. It’s fair to argue that Stockstill compiled those stats against lesser competition, but he fared well against Vanderbilt and Missouri in 2016. In those two contests, he threw for a combined 679 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception.
Middle Tennessee lost to Vanderbilt last year, but the Commodores likely aren’t looking forward to seeing Stockstill again.
No. 4: Mike White, Western Kentucky
2016 stats: 280/416 (67.3%), 4,363 Yds, 37 TDs, 7 INTs
SEC opponent: at Vanderbilt, Nov. 4
In his first season with the Hilltoppers, White was sensational. The former USF quarterback topped 4,000 yards and helped Western Kentucky lead the nation with 45.5 points per game.
White isn’t a known entity by many college football fans, but he’s scary in this system.
No. 3: Deondre Francois, Florida State
2016 stats: 235/400 (58.8%), 3,350 Yds, 20 TDs, 7 INTs
SEC opponents: vs. Alabama, Sept. 2; at Florida, Nov. 25
Consider Francois the ACC’s version of Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts. As a redshirt freshman, Francois led Florida State to 10 wins and looks poised to become one of the next elite quarterbacks in college football.
In fact, the two young players were extremely similar in terms of production last season. Francois is expected to take the next step in 2017, and he will look to begin that ascent in Week 1 against Hurts and the Crimson Tide.
No. 2: Josh Rosen, UCLA
2016 stats: 137/231 (59.3%), 1,915 Yds, 10 TDs, 5 INTs
SEC opponent: vs. Texas A&M, Sept. 3
Many scouts and experts believe Rosen is one of the top prospects for next year’s NFL Draft, and the former No. 1 quarterback prospect possesses enough talent to back up that belief.
The rising junior played in just six games last year before a shoulder injury forced him to miss the remainder of the season.
As a true freshman, Rosen threw for over 3,500 yards and 23 touchdowns. He has more than enough ability to help the Bruins bounce back after a disappointing 2016, and their matchup with Texas A&M should be an entertaining, high-scoring affair.
No. 1: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
2016 stats: 230/409 (56.2%), 3,543 Yds, 30 TDs, 9 INTs; 1,571 Rush Yds, 21 TDs
SEC opponent: at Kentucky, Nov. 25
Few people need to be reminded of how good the reigning Heisman Trophy winner is, but we’ll provide a reminder, nonetheless.
Jackson is a rare dual-threat player who was arguably the single most dangerous individual in college football last season. He improved his production greatly in his second year with the Cardinals, and it’s possible he could be even better in 2017. Kentucky stunned Jackson and the Cardinals last year, but it will be difficult to repeat that feat.
