Dr. Saturday's Hot or Not: Which college QBs will be good this season and which will struggle?
- 1/10
On the rise: Deondre Francois, Florida State — Sleeper Heisman candidate? If Florida State beats Alabama and Francois plays well, the Heisman hype will begin. FSU lost WR Travis Rudolph and RB Dalvin Cook, but WRs Nyquan Murray and Auden Tate are ready to step in as Francois’ top two weapons. The QB does need to get his completion percentage over 60 percent, however. (Photo credit: AP)
- 2/10
On the rise: Brandon Harris, North Carolina — We think Larry Fedora’s offense is what Harris needs to consistently perform up to his potential. UNC’s offense needs to replace a lot of weapons, but there’s talent at the receiver position. Harris won’t be the best quarterback in the ACC, but he’s not going to be viewed like he was at LSU. (Photo credit: AP)
- 3/10
On the rise: Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State — Here’s the guy who will put up the best numbers in the Big 12. Rudolph has James Washington and Jalen McCleskey to throw to and a rushing offense that made big strides from 2015 thanks to RB Justice Hill. Oklahoma State could be the Big 12 favorite and Rudolph could get to the Heisman ceremony if the Cowboys are in the playoff conversation. (Photo credit: AP)
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- 4/10
On the rise: Brandon Wimbush, Notre Dame — Wimbush enters the season as the undisputed starter at Notre Dame. The sophomore has plenty of weapons at his disposal and an offensive line that returns four starters. Notre Dame may not be a 10-win team in 2017, but Wimbush should help avoid another 4-8 season. (Photo credit: AP)
- 5/10
On the rise: Jesse Ertz, Kansas State — Ertz’s passing stats should make a big leap in 2017 with a healthy throwing shoulder. Kansas State’s offense will never be mistaken for Texas Tech’s, but Ertz is one of the few quarterbacks in the country who could throw for over 2,000 yards and run for over 1,000 yards in 2017.
- 6/10
Trending down: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma — A Heisman finalist in 2016, don’t be surprised if Mayfield’s statistics trend downwards in 2017. Oklahoma has to replace its top two running backs as well as fellow Heisman finalist WR Dede Westbrook. It didn’t help that leading returning receiver Nick Basquine is now out for the year too. (Photo credit: AP)
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- 7/10
Trending down: Lamar Jackson, Louisville — Like Mayfield, Jackson will be great again in 2017. But he lost a lot of his supporting cast too. Leading running back Brandon Ratcliff is gone as well as Jackson’s top three receivers from 2016. WR Jaylen Smith, who averaged 23 yards a catch in 2016, needs to step up. (Photo credit: AP)
- 8/10
Trending down: Mike White, Western Kentucky — Can White put up video game-like statistics for a second-straight season? White completed more than two-thirds of his passes in 2016 and threw for over 4,300 yards. But WKU returns just three other offensive starters and coach Brian Brohm and his offensive system are now at Purdue. (Photo credit: AP)
- 9/10
Trending down: Troy Williams, Utah — 2017 is a big test for the talent Utah coach Kyle Whittingham brings to Salt Lake City. Just four starters return on the Utes’ offense and three of the team’s four leading receivers from a year ago are gone. Oh, and so is RB Joe Williams who averaged nearly 7 yards a carry in 2016. Can Troy Williams improve on his 53 percent completion percentage while also being the focal point of the offense?
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- 10/10
Trending down: Tanner Lee, Nebraska — The Tulane transfer has looked good at camps over the summer. But he’s stepping into a less-than-ideal situation in the Husker offense. Nebraska’s top two rushers from a year ago are gone as is leading receiver Jordan Westerkamp. A full season of WR De’Mornay Pierson-El should help Lee immensely, but Nebraska doesn’t look like a contender in the Big Ten West. (Photo credit: AP)
On the rise: Deondre Francois, Florida State — Sleeper Heisman candidate? If Florida State beats Alabama and Francois plays well, the Heisman hype will begin. FSU lost WR Travis Rudolph and RB Dalvin Cook, but WRs Nyquan Murray and Auden Tate are ready to step in as Francois’ top two weapons. The QB does need to get his completion percentage over 60 percent, however. (Photo credit: AP)
On the rise: Deondre Francois, Florida State — Sleeper Heisman candidate? If Florida State beats Alabama and Francois plays well, the Heisman hype will begin. FSU lost WR Travis Rudolph and RB Dalvin Cook, but WRs Nyquan Murray and Auden Tate are ready to step in as Francois’ top two weapons. The QB does need to get his completion percentage over 60 percent, however. (Photo credit: AP)