Ranking the SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12 quarterbacks

On to Part 2 of our rankings of the best quarterback situations (measuring player quality, coaching stability and other factors) in the Power Five conferences. In Sunday’s Bet Smart, we ranked the ACC and Big 12. Here are the other three.

SEC

1. Georgia (JT Daniels): Listed as a sophomore after 16 starts in two seasons, including 12 for USC in 2019. Had 10-2 TD-INT ratio with Georgia last year and should be even better as full-time starter in second season for Bulldogs.

2. Mississippi (Matt Corral): Corral was a highly rated recruit out of Long Beach Poly. Had huge season in 2020, coach Lane Kiffin’s first at Ole Miss, throwing for 29 TDs. Started four games in 2019, too.

3. Alabama (Bryce Young): Has big shoes to fill, taking over for Mac Jones. Offense could change under new coordinator Bill O’Brien as compared with Steve Sarkisian’s prolific attack. A five-star recruit, Young has already cashed in on NCAA’s new NIL policy.

4. Auburn (Bo Nix): Former five-star recruit followed in footsteps of dad Patrick (an early 1990s Tigers QB) by choosing Auburn. Was better as freshman in 2019 than last year. Will command new scheme with coach Bryan Harsin’s arrival from Boise State.

5. Tennessee (Joe Milton): Milton could emerge as the starter after transferring from Michigan. Job is wide open, with Virginia Tech transfer Hendon Hooker and 6-foot-5, four-star freshman Harrison Bailey in the mix as well. Good talent depth for new high-tempo offense of Josh Heupel.

Big Ten

1. Indiana (Michael Penix): Penix has torn his right ACL twice, including last season, since arriving at Indiana in 2018. Accounted for 16 TDs in six games last season before injury. Great dual-threat athlete.

2. Wisconsin (Graham Mertz): Mertz was fantastic in first two games of 2020 before losing primary receivers. Highly rated recruit could blossom with full complement of returning skill players.

3. Ohio State (C.J. Stroud): No QB on the roster has thrown a college pass. Great recruit list, however, and Stroud, a 6-3, 215-pound freshman, has lead on starter role. Whoever wins the job should post big numbers.

4. Purdue (Jack Plummer): Plummer and Aidan O’Connell split reps in 2020, combining for impressive 15-4 TD-INT ratio. Plummer is the bigger option at 6-5, 220.

5. Nebraska (Adrian Martinez): Best season for Martinez was in 2018 as true freshman. He has since battled injuries and fumble woes. Dual-threat athlete who seems the ideal fit for coach Scott Frost’s spread option.

Pac-12

1. USC (Kedon Slovis): Not a highly rated recruit out of high school, just three-star at 6-2, 186. Is now listed at 6-3, 215. Has 47 TD passes in two years (17 games) as starter.

2. Arizona State (Jayden Daniels): Accounted for nine TDs in four games in 2020. Had impressive 17-2 TD-INT ratio in 2019. Dangerous runner.

3. UCLA (Dorian Thompson-Robinson): Has started games in three straight seasons. Officially still a junior, had strong 2020 season, accounting for 15 TDs. Good option for coach Chip Kelly’s offense, one of 20 starters back for Bruins.

4. California (Chase Garbers): Multiyear starter has played 23 games in three seasons. Best year was 2019, when he had 14-3 TD-INT ratio.

5. Stanford (Tanner McKee): Highly rated recruit. Threw just seven passes in his true freshman season. Goes 6-6, 220.