CBS Sports shakes up Top 25 QB rankings after Week 11 of College Football

A team is only as good as its quarterback. On Wednesday, CBS Sports revealed its updated top 25 college football quarterback rankings.

The list included plenty of turnover, including a new name at No. 1. CBS Sports didn’t hesitate to go off the beaten path for its picks, including three QBs from non-Power Four programs in the top 10 alone.

Of course, several powerhouse programs also appeared on CBS Sports’ updated list. With so much to cover, let’s dive into CBS Sports’ latest college football quarterback rankings.

1. Joe Fagnano, UConn (+9)

After barely squeaking into the top 10 last week, Joe Fagnano leapt to No. 1 in CBS Sports’ quarterback rankings this week. In fairness, Fagnano made history in UConn’s 37-34 win over Duke.

In the victory, Fagnano completed 27-of-his-39 pass attempts for 311 yards and three touchdowns. He is the first player to throw for more than 250 yards and three TDs in five consecutive games, without throwing an interception, since Joe Burrow in 2019.

2. Julian Sayin, Ohio State (-1)

Julian Sayin no longer sits atop the quarterback rankings, but it’s no fault of his own. The sophomore QB had another strong showing on Saturday, tallying 303 passing yards and a touchdown. Though it’s worth noting that Sayin threw an uncharacteristic interception in the blowout win against Purdue.

Nonetheless, Sayin has been ridiculously accurate this season. He boasts an 80.9% completion percentage, easily the highest in college football. He’s only thrown four picks this season, in contrast to 24 touchdowns.

3. Haynes King, Georgia Tech (-1)

Haynes King quietly continues to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Although Georgia Tech suffered its first loss of the season in Week 10, he was still excellent in the outing.

King tallied 408 passing yards and two touchdowns against NC State, while only throwing one interception. Additionally, he racked up 103 yards and two scores on the ground in the game.

4. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (-1)

Fernando Mendoza is spearheading an incredible Indiana campaign. He’s amassed 2,342 passing yards and 26 touchdowns this season, while only throwing five interceptions.

Mendoza had a subpar showing in the Hoosiers’ win over Penn State on Saturday, but he came through when his team needed him most. With 36 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Mendoza delivered a 7-yard dart to give the Hoosiers the lead and, ultimately, the victory.

5. Ty Simpson, Alabama

Ty Simpson is fueling Alabama’s amazing run this season, and Saturday was no exception. In the Crimson Tide’s 20-9 triumph over LSU, Simpson completed 21-of-his-35 pass attempts for 277 yards and a touchdown.

NFL scouts are raving about Simpson’s ability to read defenses this season. His lack of mistakes highlights this ability. Simpson has only thrown one interception this season, compared to 21 touchdowns.

6. Jake Retzlaff, Tulane (NR)

Jake Retzlaff wasn’t even included in CBS Sports’ Top 25 quarterback rankings last week, and he’s now comfortably sitting in the top 10. What changed? Retzlaff exploded for 332 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in Tulane’s 38-32 win over Memphis.

Retzlaff also ran in a score in the victory. The transfer QB’s performance could prove to be one of the most pivotal in the country this season. Tulane and Memphis are each in the hunt for the Group-of-Five slot in the College Football Playoff.

7. Byrum Brown, USF (+9)

Speaking of standout Group-of-Five performances, Byrum Brown was phenomenal for USF this past weekend. In the Bulls’ 55-23 blowout victory over UTSA, Brown completed 14-of-his-15 pass attempts for two touchdowns. He didn’t throw an interception.

Of course, Brown is also a massive threat in the run game. He notched a game-high 109 yards and a score on just nine carries against the Roadrunners.

8. Mason Heintschel, Pittsburgh (-1)

Pittsburgh is 5-0 this season with Heintschel starting behind center. The Panthers enjoyed a bye in Week 11, but strolled to a convincing 35-20 win over Stanford on Nov. 1.

Heintschel threw for 304 yards and three TDs in the win, but also tossed two interceptions. Heintschel will only be further tested with Pitt facing three ranked opponents in its final three games of the regular season.

9. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (+2)

There are few, if any, quarterbacks in the country more entertaining than Diego Pavia. The sixth-year QB puts on a show every game, win or loss. On Saturday, Pavia and the Commodores ended up on the right side of a 45-38 thriller against Auburn.

In the win, Pavia stuffed the stat sheet with 377 passing yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions. He also rushed for 112 yards and a score on 18 carries.

10. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M (-2)

Quarterback Marcel Reed is largely responsible for Texas A&M’s 9-0 record this season. The redshirt sophomore simply finds a way to win. Most recently, he notched 221 passing yards, 29 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 38-17 win over Missouri.

Reed has only been sacked an SEC-low eight times this season. The athletic QB has a superb understanding of how to navigate the pocket to avoid attacking defenders.

11. CJ Bailey, NC State (-5)
12. Alonza Barnett, James Madison (+1)
13. Gunner Stockton, Georgia (+4)
14. Luke Altymer, Illinois
15. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
16. CJ Carr, Notre Dame (+7)
17. Jayden Maiava, USC (+8)
18. Arch Manning, Texas
19. Bear Bachmeier, BYU (-10)
20. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
21. Dante Moore, Oregon (-9)
22. Darian Mensah, Duke (-18)
23. Noah Fifita, Arizona (+10)
24. Drew Mestemaker, North Texas
25. Behren Morton, Texas Tech (+2)