CBS Sports shakes up Top 10 QB Power Rankings with new No. 1 ahead of Week 11
This college football season has been highlighted by notable quarterback performances. It’s making the Heisman Trophy race especially interesting, and CBS Sports’ Top 10 QB Power Rankings once again have a new Heisman hopeful atop the list.
Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. is once again at No. 1 after putting on a show against USC last week. He started to look like his old self after a couple rough games, and he enters Week 11 as the Heisman Trophy favorite once again.
Last week’s No. 1, though, fell out of the rankings. Jayden Daniels is no longer in CBS Sports’ Top 10 QB Power Rankings as he tries to work his way back from an injury suffered against Alabama last week. Still, there are some notable names on the list.
1. Michael Penix Jr., Washington
After beating Oregon, Michael Penix Jr. looked shaky over Washington’s next two games. It’s safe to say he got back on track last week when the Huskies took down USC in an old school shootout, and that performance got him back to the top of CBS Sports’ Top 10 QB Power Rankings.
Penix was efficient against USC, completing 22 of 30 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns to help the Huskies pull out the 52-42 victory. Next up for UW is a tough test, though, as Utah comes to Seattle for an intriguing Pac-12 matchup.
2. Bo Nix, Oregon
Bo Nix is in the midst of a monster year for Oregon and has led the country in completion percentage for most of the year. He’s coming off another monster performance as the Ducks’ offense flew past Cal 63-19 last week.
Nix completed 29 of 38 passes for 386 yards and four touchdowns to lead the effort, which got Oregon to 8-1 on the season. A huge game awaits on Saturday, though, as the Ducks welcome USC for a huge late-night showdown in Eugene.
3. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
As Michigan dominated its competition to start the year, J.J. McCarthy emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the country. He ranks third in the country in completion percentage and third in the Big Ten with 18 passing touchdowns to help the Wolverines to a perfect 9-0 start to the year.
McCarthy is coming off one of his biggest passing performances yet last week against Purdue when he went 24-for-37 for 335 yards to help lead Michigan to a 41-13 win. This week, the competition ratchets up as the Wolverines head to Happy Valley to take on No. 10 Penn State on Saturday.
4. Carson Beck, Georgia
A ranked matchup against Missouri kicked off the toughest part of Georgia’s schedule, and the Bulldogs put together a solid performance to pull out the 30-21 victory. Carson Beck was a big reason for that, leading an offense that totaled 385 yards in the effort.
Beck completed 21 of 32 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns as he continues to find a groove as Georgia’s starting quarterback. Another ranked opponent awaits on Saturday, though, as Ole Miss comes to Athens for an intriguing matchup.
5. Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Don’t look now, but Jalen Milroe and Alabama are finding their stride as an offense. The Crimson Tide had an impressive showing in last week’s win over LSU to stay undefeated in conference play and atop the SEC West standings.
Milroe got it done with both his arms and his legs, totaling 374 yards and four rushing touchdowns to lead the charge. He’s been on a steady rise since taking over as the full-time starting quarterback and will look to continue that improvement on Saturday against Kentucky.
6. Noah Fifita, Arizona
After taking over for Jayden de Laura as Arizona’s starting quarterback, Noah Fifita has impressed in a big way. He has helped the bowl-eligible Wildcats to three straight ranked victories, including a big one over UCLA last week.
Fifita threw for over 300 yards in two of his last three games, including a 300-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Bruins. The redshirt freshman is looking the part with another opportunity looming this week against Colorado.
7. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Last year, it felt like Jaxson Dart did most of his damage with his legs as he became Ole Miss’ starting quarterback. This season, he’s making big plays with his arm, and that was again the case last week against Texas A&M.
Dart threw for 387 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-33 passing to get Ole Miss to 8-1 and keep the Rebels in the top 10 of the College Football Playoff rankings. He’ll have another big game coming up, though, against the vaunted Georgia defense on Saturday at Sanford Stadium.
8. Jordan Travis, Florida State
Jordan Travis and Florida State secured a spot in the ACC Championship last week, and the Seminoles have their sights set on a College Football Playoff appearance. The Seminoles were down multiple key players due to injury in last week’s game against Pitt, but Travis still dazzled en route to the 24-7 victory.
Travis ranks second in the ACC with 274.3 passing yards per game to go with 19 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He remains in the Heisman Trophy conversation and has FSU in the top four of the CFP rankings heading into Week 11.
9. Drake Maye, North Carolina
A likely top-five pick in the NFL Draft, Drake Maye is in the midst of another special year with North Carolina. He leads the ACC in passing yards per game and, despite two losses in their last three games, seems like he can hear his name called early in April.
UNC took a break from conference play last week against Campbell in a game saw Maye total 244 yards and four touchdowns. The Tar Heels start their final stretch of ACC games this week with a big one against Duke on Saturday.
10. Jacob Zeno, UAB
One of the top quarterbacks in the American Athletic Conference, Jacob Zeno balled out for UAB last week against FAU. He threw for 484 yards and five touchdowns as the Blazers won a thriller, 45-42, over the Owls.
Zeno now ranks second in the American with 298.6 passing yards per game, providing a bright spot for Trent Dilfer and his 3-6 team. Next up is a date with Navy on Saturday.
Quarterback play is going to be vital over the next few weeks as teams make their final pushes for conference titles and CFP appearances. The stakes are going to rise, and it’s safe to say CBS Sports’ Top 10 QB Power Rankings aren’t done shuffling just yet.