MARLER: Week 8 SEC Quarterback Rankings

By Chris Marler

We’re back. Hooray. Hands down the worst thing you’ll see all week is back. And, that’s saying something considering political ads and Big Game Boomer tweets are an active thing.

Nonetheless, it is time once again for my weekly SEC quarterback rankings. There are few things I have less confidence in besides tik tok dances and spelling the word Connecticut. That red line on my phone and/or computer stays undefeated spelling that state.

Regardless, there is only one spot on this whole list I am confident in at this point. So, let’s start there.

1. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

Nuss had his worst performance of the season last weekend against Ole Miss. It was still enough to lead LSU to a come from behind victory against a Top 10 team. Even on his game tying drive, Nussmeier was only 4-for-11. However, per usual, he was clutch as hell when it mattered most, going 3-for-4 for 56 yards on third and fourth down including an absolute dime on 4th-and-6 to tie it up.

2. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt

I don’t care. Argue with a wall. The dude had another Diego Pavia classic on Saturday against Kentucky. He completed 83 percent of his passes, scored two touchdowns and led Vanderbilt to yet another win despite being a 14+ point underdog. Before you get mad about where he’s ranked, just think about what other quarterbacks like Carson Beck and Jaxson Dart have done against that same Kentucky defense.

Does Pavia have the same physical talent as others in the league? Absolutely not. But that kid has one turnover all season and has been a program-defining difference maker for Vanderbilt.

3. Quinn Ewers & Arch Manning, Texas

I should only be including one of these QBs, but my logic and judgment is being clouded by one specific stat that I can’t get over. Let’s start with Ewers. He looked shaky early throwing an interception in his first quarter back from nearly a month off. However, he settled in well and ended the game with two touchdowns, over 200 yards of total offense and completing 68.9 percent of his passes en route to a 34-3 win over arch-rival Oklahoma.

I’m keeping Arch Manning on this list for one reason and one reason only. Fun fact, Arch Manning leads the entire country in third down passer rating and completion percentage, completing a ridiculous 85 percent of passes this season on the money down.

4. Jalen Milroe, Alabama

He threw two interceptions that were absolutely inexcusable and played his worst game as a starter since September of last season. However, he leads the SEC in QBR and passer rating, and he still leads the country in third down passing touchdowns with seven. He’s also first among current starting SEC quarterbacks in completion percentage at 72.7 percent and yards per attempt at 11.2.

5. Carson Beck, Georgia

Beck threw for a career high 459 yards last week against Mississippi State. He did throw two interceptions, but he also completed 75 percent of his throws, and it became very clear that this team’s offensive identity is firmly intertwined with Beck’s right arm.

6. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

This may feel unfair to drop Dart three spots after an overtime loss in Death Valley, but he’s objectively playing his worst ball now that Ole Miss is playing their best opponents. Against non-conference opponents Dart has thrown for 389 yards per game, 12 touchdowns and a 79.8 completion percentage. Against SEC teams Dart’s numbers fall off a cliff, completing 58.3 percent of his passes for 277 yards per game and just two touchdowns in three games.

7. Conner Weigman, Texas A&M

I hate how he spells his name, but I love how good he was two weeks ago. Next up is a Mississippi State defense that allowed 459 yards to Carson Beck and over 600 yards of total offense to Georgia a week ago.

8. Taylen Green, Arkansas

Off last week and resting and injured knee, he will have plenty of opportunities this weekend to move up these rankings playing an LSU defense that ranks second to last in the conference in passing yards per game at 244.3.

9. Brady Cook, Missouri

Cook has still been very underwhelming this season compared to last, but last week’s trip to LL Bean country got him back on the right track. Cook racked up 235 total yards and completed nearly 74 percent of his passes with two touchdowns in a 45-3 win.

10. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

Sellers had the best game of his young career last week against Alabama. He completed over 74 percent of his passes for a career high 238 yards passing and two passing touchdowns. He was fantastic for roughly all but three plays. Those three plays just happened to be turnovers and the same mishaps that have plagued him and this team, for most of the season.

11. Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee

In three games against non-conference opponents Nico threw for six touchdowns and 10.4 yards per attempt. In three games against SEC teams, he has one passing touchdown, barely 60 percent completion percentage, and one of the worst passer ratings in the entire league. He also is second to last among current starters in QBR at 51.4.

The Bottom Five

12. DJ Lagway, Florida
13. Payton Thorne, Auburn
14. Michael Van Buren, Mississippi State
15. Michael Hawkins Jr, Oklahoma
16. Brock Vandagriff, Kentucky