Ranking the Big Ten quarterbacks through Week 1
Week 1 is in the books and we saw a great number of teams send out new faces to lead their programs. Some transfer quarterbacks found themselves replacing school legends while veteran quarterbacks looked to take the next step in their playing careers.
The level of competition was not the same for each team across the board, so it can be difficult to get a good read on a quarterback this early in the season. Regardless, it is an opportunity for the player to go out there and live up to the hype, show what a healthy offseason can do for their personal growth or struggle and have the coaching staff go back to the drawing board.
Here is the good, the bad and the ugly as we rank the top 10 quarterbacks through Week 1 in the Big Ten.
J.J. McCarthy - Michigan
This is McCarthy’s second season as the starting quarterback for the Wolverines, and he was on fire on Saturday against East Carolina. The junior quarterback connected with Roman Wilson for three touchdowns and zero interceptions. It is evident that a full healthy offseason allowed J.J. to grow and take full control of the offense.
Stats:
QBR: 95.4
Completions: 26
Attempts: 30
Yards: 280
Touchdowns: 3
Interceptions: 0
Drew Allar - Penn State
The Drew Allar era is underway in Happy Valley. On Saturday against West Virginia, the former five-star recruit threw for 325 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-15 victory over the Mountaineers. On the fourth offensive play, Allar connected with Lambert-Smith for a 72-yard touchdown to open up the scoring in front of 110,000 fans. The sophomore lived up to expectations in his debut as the starter.
Stats:
QBR: 86.0
Completions: 21
Attempts: 29
Yards: 325
Touchdowns: 3
Interceptions: 0
Taulia Tagovailoa - Maryland
Taulia Tagovailoa returned for his senior season and threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener. Tagovailoa also had a rushing touchdown as the Terrapins cruised to a 38-6 victory over Towson. On Saturday, Tagovailoa became the first player in a Maryland jersey to eclipse 8,000 career passing yards.
Stats:
QBR: 86.4
Completions: 22
Attempts: 33
Yards: 260
Touchdowns: 3
Interceptions: 0
Gavin Wimsatt - Rutgers
Gavin Wimsatt was named Rutgers’ starting quarterback well before kickoff and that decision paid dividends for the Scarlet Knights. On Sunday, Wimsatt threw for 163 yards and a touchdown to propel his team past the Wildcats. Wimsatt showed confidence in the pocket and made the right throws. Rutgers dominated all day Sunday and defeated Northwestern, 24-7.
Stats
QBR: 81.9
Completions: 17
Attempts: 29
Yards: 163
Touchdowns: 1
Interceptions: 0
Luke Altmyer - Illinois
Luke Altmyer transferred into Champaign from Ole Miss and, in his debut against Toledo, completed 69.2% of his throws and threw for 2 touchdowns while rushing for 69 yards. The Fighting Illini were in a close contest against the Toledo Rockets but came out on top, 30-28. Altmyer looked good in his debut and was able to move the offense down the field.
Stats
QBR: 79.2
Completions: 18
Attempts: 26
Yards: 211
Touchdowns: 2
Interceptions: 1
Hudson Card - Purdue
After a special run to the Big Ten title game last season, the Boilermakers are rolling with Texas transfer Hudson Card, who replaces Aiden O’Connell at starting quarterback. Card completed 56.7% of his passes in Week 1 and threw for two touchdowns. The Boilermakers came up short against Fresno State, losing 39-35. Card will have some big shoes to fill: His predecessor, O’Connell, threw for nearly 3,500 yards last season.
Stats
QBR: 66.4
Completions: 17
Attempts: 30
Yards: 254
Touchdowns: 2
Interceptions: 0
Kyle McCord - Ohio State
The Buckeyes have entered a new era in Columbus. They’re breaking in a new starting quarterback after CJ Stroud headed to the NFL. Ryan Day gave junior Kyle McCord the start against Indiana and the offense struggled, particularly compared to his predecessor. The Buckeyes pulled away for a 23-3 win over the Hoosiers, and McCord threw for 239 yards and zero touchdowns. However, it seems the Buckeyes still have a quarterback battle on their hands between McCord and challenger Devin Brown.
Stats
QBR: 78.1
Completions: 20
Attempts: 33
Yards: 239
Touchdowns: 0
Interceptions: 1
Noah Kim - Michigan State
Another team with a new face under center are the Spartans as Noah Kim beat out Katin Houser for the starting role in East Lansing. Kim, overall, looked good in his first start with MSU. He struggled in the first half but picked his game up in the second as he settled in and threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns to propel the Spartans past Central Michigan, 31-7.
Stats
QBR: 60.6
Completions: 18
Attempts: 31
Yards: 279
Touchdowns: 2
Interceptions: 0
Athan Kaliakmanis - Minnesota
The Gophers and the Cornhuskers were the first to open Big Ten play on Thursday night, and Minnesota came out on top, 13-10. Athan Kaliakmanis looked OK in his first start of the season. The Gophers are replacing a great deal on the offensive side of the ball, most notably running back Mo Ibrahim, and it showed. Kaliakmanis did not look comfortable in the pocket and threw an interception.
Stats
QBR: 53.1
Completions: 24
Attempts: 44
Yards: 196
Touchdowns: 2
Interceptions: 1
Cade McNamara - Iowa
After spending his first four years in Ann Arbor, Cade McNamara has found a new home in Iowa City. McNamara threw a 36-yard touchdown to Seth Anderson to start the scoring for the Hawkeyes. Surprisingly, that touchdown pass was the first time in program history under Kirk Ferentz that Iowa had opened the season scoring through the air. McNamara finished with two touchdowns and completed 56.7% of his passes as the Hawkeyes won, 24-14, over Utah State.
Stats
QBR: 36.9
Completions: 17
Attempts: 30
Yards: 191
Touchdowns: 2
Interceptions: 0
