Ranking the Pac-12 QBs through Week 7: Maybe winning does matter after all
In last week’s Pac-12 quarterback rankings, we questioned whether actually winning games had an effect on the Pro Football Focus numbers because it didn’t seem so. Dorian Thompson-Robinson had won a huge game for UCLA, but his numbers and overall ranking didn’t adjust all that much.
Although the rankings themselves, according to PFF haven’t changed all that much, the numbers for each quarterback may have been properly skewed into a more realistic spot.
One would think a couple of fairly big upsets, such as Stanford defeating Notre Dame and Utah over USC, would throw everything out of whack, but as Lee Corso will say, “Not so fast my friend!”
We also have a new member of the group. Oregon State’s Ben Gulbranson makes an appearance after his second full week at the helm of the Beaver offense. We’re not sure when Chance Nolan will return, so he’s out of the rankings for now.
Owen McCown - Colorado
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Pass: 50.3
Run: 62.2
Overall: 52.7
Last week: Buffs win! Buffs win! Colorado finally won its first game of the season with a 20-13 overtime thriller over California. McCown went 13-of-21 for 104 yards and an interception. But it was JT Strout (remember him?) that brought the Buffaloes back to win in the second half and overtime. Although Strout came in, CU coach Mike Sanford said the depth chart will not change.
What’s next? Colorado goes to Corvallis to play the Beavers, another team that might suddenly have a two-quarterback situation going on.
Ben Gulbranson - Oregon State
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Pass: 56.3
Run: 62.1
Overall: 60.2
Last week: In his second game as the Beavers quarterback, Gulbranson wasn’t spectacular but he didn’t need to be in OSU’s 24-10 win over Washington State. He went 12-of-24 for 141 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
What’s next? The Beavers will try to get their sixth win and become bowl eligible with Colorado coming into Reser Stadium.
Cameron Ward - Washington State
BRIAN HAYES / STATESMAN JOURNAL / USA TODAY NETWORK
Pass: 60.6
Run: 70.0
Overall: 63.6
Last week: At one point this season, Ward was in the top tier of these rankings, but his free fall continues. In the 24-10 loss to OSU, Ward went 25-of-54 for 345 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. But he was sacked five times.
What’s next? The Cougars will enjoy a much-needed bye week to iron out some things.
Jack Plummer - California
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Pass: 64.8
Run: 73.2
Overall: 68.1
Last week: California had the unfortunate distinction of becoming the first team to lose to Colorado in 2022. In the 20-13 overtime loss, Plummer was 29-of-52 for 262 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
What’s next? The Bears will try to right the ship as they host Washington, another team in flux.
Emory Jones - Arizona State
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Pass: 70.3
Run: 63.5
Overall: 71.3
Last week: Arizona State had an extra week to celebrate its win over Washington with a bye.
What’s next? The Sun Devils go to Stanford to face a suddenly rejuvenated Cardinal team after its upset win over Notre Dame.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson - UCLA
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Pass: 71.8
Run: 67.6
Overall: 73.8
Last week: The Bruins had a bye and had an extra week to prepare for the highly anticipated matchup on Saturday.
What’s next? Not a lot. Just a trip to Eugene with ESPN’s “College GameDay” onsite and a 6-0 record on the line. Chip Kelly returning to Autzen. Is there anything else we’re missing?
Tanner McKee - Stanford
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Pass: 79.9
Run: 50.0
Overall: 78.4
Last week: When Stanford was losing, McKee stayed in the top 3 of the rankings. Now the Cardinal actually win a game, at Notre Dame no less, and McKee drops. Makes no sense, but that’s analytics for you. In the 16-14 WIN, McKee was 26-of-38 for 288 yards.
What’s next? The Cardinal come back to The Farm and will host Arizona State.
Jayden de Laura - Arizona
Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Pass: 75.5
Run: 73.5
Overall: 78.8
Last week: Jayden de Laura was certainly let down by his defense in the 49-39 loss at Washington. He was great, going 25-of-34 for 400 yards and four touchdowns.
What’s next? Arizona gets a week off before what is sure to be an angry USC team coming to the desert Oct. 29.
Bo Nix - Oregon
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Pass: 69.5
Run: 84.4
Overall: 79.9
Last week: Oregon had a bye week in preparation for what should be a grueling second half of the season.
What’s next? A huge game inside Autzen Stadium with the Ducks welcoming UCLA and Chip Kelly back to Eugene for a matchup between two top-10 teams. Oh did we mention ESPN’s “College GameDay” will be there?
Michael Penix, Jr. - Washington
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Pass: 82.8
Run: 54.7
Overall: 82.9
Last week: Penix had a monster game against that poor Arizona secondary. In the 49-39 win, the former Indiana Hoosier was 36-of-44 for 516 yards and four touchdowns.
What’s next? The Huskies make a trip down to the Bay Area and will take on a struggling California squad.
Caleb Williams - USC
Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Pass: 78.3
Run: 77.6
Overall: 83.8
Last week: USC suffered its first defeat of the season, 43-42, at Utah. But no one can blame Williams for the setback. He went 25-of-42 for 381 yards and five touchdowns.
What’s next? The Trojans will have a bye week, giving them extra time to reflect and perhaps change some defensive schemes.
Cameron Rising - Utah
Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Pass: 84.2
Run: 78.4
Overall: 89.4
Last week: Utah managed to win an absolute thriller of a game, 43-42, over USC. Rising was 30-of-44 for 415 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran in the game-winning two-point conversion with less than a minute to play.
What’s next? Utah has a bye week and will have extra time to prepare for a Thursday night game in Pullman on Oct. 27 against the Cougars.
