Predicting the Winners of College Football's QB Competitions

Predicting the Winners of College Football’s QB Competitions

Jan 3, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller (5) runs past Clemson Tigers safety Robert Smith (27) for a touchdown in the first half during the 2014 Orange Bowl college football game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 22, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) looks to throw in the first quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at Notre Dame Stadium. Louisville won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson been had an up and down career in South Bend. As a freshman in 2012, Golson led the Fighting Irish to an undefeated regular season and a spot in the BCS National Championship game.

He showed flashes of brilliance during the remarkable campaign while throwing for 2,405 yards and 12 touchdowns and ran for another six scores. However, Golson missed all of 2013 when an academic issue forced the 6-foot-1, 200-pound South Carolina native to miss his sophomore season.

Last year, Golson was able to re-enroll at Notre Dame, won his job back and put up much more impressive passing numbers (3,445 yards, 29 touchdowns), but also tossed 14 interceptions – all coming in a nine-game stretch in which he had at least one per game from September 27 through the end of the regular season.

With Golson’s accuracy a question for the Irish, who lost five of their final six regular season contests, Malik Zaire emerged as a threat to Golson’s playing time.

The rising junior came off the bench for 170 passing yards and a rushing touchdown against USC and earned the start against LSU in the Music City Bowl. In Nashville, Zaire completed 12 of 15 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 96 with a score.

Now, Zaire and Golson appear to be on even footing. And while most coaches would prefer to have an unquestioned starter under center, head coach Brian Kelly thinks he’s got one of the best quarterback situations in the country.

"“I think at the quarterback position, maybe other than Ohio State, I would take our two quarterbacks, and I would take our two over Ohio State,” Kelly said recently. “But in terms of depth, I don’t know that anybody has a better situation than we do with the two quarterbacks that we have.”"

Golson is a stronger passer and has a significant edge in experience. Although, Zaire is accurate and is the more athletic of the two and can therefore make more plays with his feet – though Golson is no statue.

Expect Golson’s experience to win out during fall camp, but this is one of the closest quarterback competitions in the country.

Projected Winner: Everett Golson

Next: Georgia

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