Braden Atkinson Tops College Football Quarterback Rankings

A surprise name has emerged at the top of the college football quarterback rankings: Braden Atkinson from Oregon State.

Atkinson's remarkable season so far has seen him throw for an average of 373.7 yards per game, the highest total in a single season since Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy in 2023. His impressive statistics are not limited to just one or two games either.

In his first two games against high-profile opponents Houston and Texas Tech from the Big 12 conference, Atkinson accumulated nearly 800 yards passing in losses that were far from blowouts. Since then, he has led Oregon State on a four-game winning streak.

Atkinson's recent form is particularly impressive, with over 836 yards thrown to date, including 10 touchdowns without an interception in his last two games against San Diego State and Colorado State. These performances have catapulted the Beavers into contention in the revamped Pac-12 conference.

A notable aspect of Atkinson's success is that he has achieved this while facing stiff competition. The Oregon State team has been on a roll, but it is Atkinson who stands out as the driving force behind their recent victories.

Atkinson's rapid ascent up the quarterback rankings poses an interesting contrast to the decline of another highly touted quarterback: Arch Manning from Texas.

Manning had been in the spotlight due to his reputation as a five-star prospect, but after throwing two interceptions in the fourth quarter of his team's loss to Oklahoma, he has seen his ranking slip.

The top-ranked quarterback at present is not Atkinson however; that distinction belongs to another player who has impressed with his accuracy and consistency.

Oregon State's Braden Atkinson has been making waves in the college football scene, and his impressive performances have earned him recognition from the Pac-12 conference. He was named the Pac-12's Offensive Player of the Week for a third time after throwing for 400 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions in consecutive weeks.

One key factor contributing to Atkinson's success is his top target, Jesse Legree, who leads the nation with an impressive 12 touchdown grabs. Legree also holds a significant edge over Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith in receiving yards, with 932 compared to Smith's 916.

Chambliss had a relatively quiet week as Ole Miss returned from a bye and dominated Vanderbilt 52-17. However, he still managed to total four touchdowns, bringing his tally through five games to 16. Chambliss currently ranks No. 8 nationally and No. 2 in the SEC in total yards per game with an impressive 309.6.

This week promises to be a challenging one for Chambliss as Ole Miss faces off against Missouri and quarterback Austin Simmons, whom he unseated at Ole Miss last year. The showdown is expected to be an intense battle between two talented quarterbacks.

Carr has been flying under the radar with his efficient and reliable performances, but he's also proven himself to be explosive on the field. He ranks fourth nationally in completions of 25+ yards with an impressive 19, meaning that nearly one-fifth of his completions are going for big gains.

Notre Dame is set to travel to BYU for a top-10 showdown this week, and Carr will have a prime opportunity to make a statement in the Heisman Trophy race. His ability to deliver big plays will be crucial as he faces off against one of the nation's best defenses.

The game against Alabama was a nail-biter for Stockton, who passed another major test with flying colors. His passer efficiency ranks No. 3 nationally, and he's tied for second in the SEC with an impressive 14 passing touchdowns.

Indiana's TCU transfer quarterback is facing another formidable opponent as Ohio State comes to town after leading his team back from a 17-6 deficit at Nebraska in the fourth quarter.

The unenviable task of replacing Fernando Mendoza has been handled impressively by Hoover through six games, and he stands out among FBS quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts and no interceptions. His impressive effectiveness is reflected in his statistics, as none have thrown more touchdowns than him with 17 so far this season.

Alabama's quarterback Russell orchestrated a notable touchdown drive in the final two minutes of the first half against Georgia, but ultimately fell short in the team's 20-17 loss. The sophomore quarterback took care of the ball and didn't seem overwhelmed by the challenge of playing against one of the top teams in the country.

Oklahoma State's Mestemaker is third in passing yards per game with an average of 315 after a strong performance in the team's win over UCF, marking his fourth consecutive 300+ yard game. His Heisman odds have decreased slightly to +4000 on DraftKings, but he remains a valuable option given his role as quarterback for a top-20 program.

Ohio State's Sayin has had significant success this season, with 17 touchdown passes, and an interesting question is how the team would fare if their top target Jeremiah Smith were taken away. After Smith's impressive 916 receiving yards, the next-most productive receiver for the Buckeyes is Devin McCuin with 245 yards.

Utah's Dampier had a standout performance in the team's win over Kansas, totaling four touchdowns and over 300 combined yards as a runner and passer. This season marks his second with the Utes, and he has actually seen an improvement despite the coaching transition from Kyle Whittingham to Morgan Scalley.

The new offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven is deploying a creative system that seems to be suiting Dampier well, allowing him to thrive in his role. His performance will likely continue to be closely watched as Utah looks to make a push in their conference.

Wake Forest's Lopez continued to impress in their win over NC State, throwing for four touchdowns and surpassing 300 yards passing for the third time this season.

Lopez's performance has him ranked second in the ACC in passing yards with 1,680, and he is also 15th nationally in EPA per dropback. His ability to perform under pressure has been a key factor in Wake Forest's success.

USC quarterback Maiava had a strong game against Penn State, completing 21 of 33 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns. This performance has him ranked 10th nationally in EPA per dropback as the Trojans enter their bye week.

Maiava will have opportunities to make a Heisman push with upcoming games against top-15 foes Ohio State, Indiana, and UCLA. A strong performance against these quality opponents could elevate his chances of being considered for the award.

Ole Miss quarterback Simmons is set to face off against Trinidad Chambliss, who took over as the Rebels' primary quarterback last season. Despite a change in coaching staff, this matchup presents an opportunity for Simmons to prove himself and make a statement.

Simmons's abilities are often compared to those of Chambliss, with both quarterbacks having similar skills but differing in terms of mobility. However, Simmons ranks ahead of Chambliss in passing efficiency and TD/INT ratio.

Taylor's status is uncertain due to a foot injury he sustained in the Week 5 loss to Alabama, casting doubt over his participation in this week's game against LSU. Despite a shaky performance against the Crimson Tide, Taylor remains one of the top-ranked quarterbacks nationally in terms of passing yards per game and total offense.

Weigman's impressive performance continues as he racks up touchdowns on both sides of the ball.

In Week 5, Weigman led his team to a win over UCF, rushing for three crucial touchdowns. The following week, he threw for four more scores in a victory at Kansas State. With an outstanding 15 touchdowns and just one interception this season, Weigman is playing some of the best football of his career.

As the No. 20 Cougars prepare to face tough opponents in Oklahoma State and Utah, they'll rely on Weigman's dual-threat abilities to drive their offense forward.

Chiles has emerged as a force to be reckoned with, boasting the seventh-highest national ranking in passing efficiency and yards per attempt at an impressive 10.5. His recent performance against Ball State, where he threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns, has been particularly noteworthy.

Joining forces with Northwestern's new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly seems to have revitalized Chiles' career, which was once marked by promise but inconsistent results. This week, Chiles faces a tough test as his team travels to face Michigan State, his former team.

Fifita's Week 6 performance against West Virginia was nothing short of spectacular, with the quarterback throwing for a season-high 341 yards on just 16 completions. The chunk plays were flowing freely, resulting in an impressive 14.8 yards per attempt and three touchdowns.

Fifita now leads the Big 12 in key categories such as passer rating, passing touchdowns (16), and passing yards (1,756). His strong showing is a testament to his growth as a quarterback this season.

Oregon State's Braden Atkinson has made a significant leap in the college football quarterback power rankings, rising through the ranks to join the top 20.

Kentucky's Kenny Minchey has slipped two spots to number 21, while Louisville's Lincoln Kienholz has dropped one spot to number 22. Boise State's Maddux Madsen is making his debut in the rankings at number 23 after a remarkable jump from 42nd place last week.

Memphis' Marcus Stokes has slid three spots to number 24, and Iowa's Jeremy Hecklinski enters the rankings unranked but makes an immediate impact. Virginia Tech's Ethan Grunkemeyer falls two spots to number 26, while North Texas' Tayven Jackson surges six spots to number 28.

The bottom of the rankings sees significant changes, with South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers entering at number 30, and Kansas State's Avery Johnson dropping five spots to number 34.