USA Today shakes up Top 10 QB rankings ahead of Week 7 of college football

The 2025 college football season is nearing its midpoint of the year as it enters Week 7 following six exciting weeks of elite quarterback play all across the sport. And while there have certaintly been plenty of surprises, especially within the elite quarterback ranks, there have also been a fair share of shocking disappointments.

That includes a trio of preseason Heisman Trophy favorites falling out of favor as their teams fell out of the Top 25 polls after multiple losses. From Clemson‘s Cade Klubnik, Penn State‘s Drew Allar or Texas‘ Arch Manning, some of the most notable QBs in the sport have taken a hit to their reputation this season. But in their freefall, a multitude of other quarterbacks have risen to take their place.

Check out USA Today’s updated list of the Top 10 quarterbacks in college football entering Week 7:

1. Dante Moore, Oregon

The Ducks’ redshirt sophomore quarterback holds down the No. 1 spot in USA Today’s list for the second week in a row, though that could be in jeopardy depending on what happens in Saturday’s Big Ten showdown vs. No. 7 Indiana. Moore’s 74.6 completion percentage ranks second in the Big Ten and fourth nationally, along with a 14-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

USA Today: “After playing his best game yet against Penn State, the former UCLA transfer must keep the Ducks’ offense on schedule against the high-scoring Hoosiers.”

2. Carson Beck, Miami (+2)

The Carson Beck revival is in full swing as the Miami senior quarterback continues to shine after his offseason transfer to Coral Gables. Beck currently ranks second in the ACC with a 73.4 completion percentage and a 168.5 quarterback rating, along with 1,213 passing yards and an 11-to-3 touchdown to interception ratio for the undefeated ‘Canes.

USA Today: “Beck is playing his best football since the second half of his sophomore season (at Georgia), … but one area where he could still improve is on third down, where he’s been good overall but is only 10 of 20 when needing seven or more yards.”

3. Ty Simpson, Alabama (+2)

The first-year Crimson Tide starter continues to turn heads and open eyes after rebounding nicely following a disappointing showing in a season-opening loss at Florida State. Since then, Simpson has completed 76.5 precent of his passes for 1,224 yards and 11 touchdowns to 1 interception while leading Alabama on a four-game win streak.

USA Today: “Simpson has changed the narrative after coming under fire for his play in the No. 8 Crimson Tide’s loss to FSU. … Rarely used in his first three years on campus, Simpson is improving with every start.”

4. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (-1)

Another offseason transfer, the Hoosiers’ signal-caller has been sensational while leading No. 7 Indiana to a 5-0 start behind a ACC-leading 16 passing touchdowns this season. In fact, Mendoza has accounted for at least two passing scores in each of his last four games, including back-to-back five TD games against Indiana State and Illinois in consecutive weeks last month.

USA Today: “Mendoza has been an effective runner for the Hoosiers and brought a new look to coach Curt Cignetti’s scheme. … His ability to extend plays adds another element to one of the nation’s most potent offenses.”

5. CJ Carr, Notre Dame (+1)

The Fighting Irish’s redshirt freshman QB is growing and improving with every start he makes, accounting for multiple touchdowns in four of his five games this season. That includes throwing for 766 yards and eight touchdowns to zero interceptions on 72.3-percent passing while leading Notre Dame on a three-game win streak after opening the season with back-to-back losses.

USA Today: “Carr had his third game in a row with multiple touchdowns and no interceptions … (and) he now ranks sixth nationally with 10.1 yards per throw and ninth in efficiency rating.”

6. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt (-4)

USA Today’s biggest faller this week is the Dores’ swaggy veteran QB, who dropped four spots from No. 2 last week after committing a pair of costly turnovers in last Saturday’s 30-14 road loss at Alabama. Despite the setback, Pavia’s 14 passing touchdowns still lead the SEC, while his 71.4 completion percentage and 1,409 passing yards rank second and third, respectively, in the league.

USA Today: “While one game won’t end up telling the story of Pavia’s senior season, he needs to button up his play given the Commodores’ thin margin for error against the best teams in the SEC.”

7. Julian Sayin, Ohio State (+1)

No one has been as accurate and efficient as the Buckeyes’ redshirt freshman QB1 this season with a NCAA-leading 80.2 completion percentage to go along with 1,313 passing yards and a 13-to-3 touchdown-to-interceptin ratio through five games. Sayin and No. 1 Ohio State face its first real test in Big Ten play with Saturday’s game at No. 17 Illinois.

USA Today: “Sayin is quietly putting up numbers that could have him in the thick of the Heisman race in November. … That’s not bad for a first-year starter, even one surrounded by an elite collection of skill talent.”

8. Jalon Daniels, Kansas (NR)

The first of three newcomers to USA Today’s quarterback list, the Jayhawks senior dual-threat QB is a touchdown-scoring machine with 16 passing scores to rank second nationally. Daniels has also thrown for 1,497 yards on 67.3-percent passing through six games this season and ranks second in the Big 12 with 1,736 yards of total offense.

USA Today: “Daniels is back to his old tricks after missing most of 2023 to injury and struggling in his return last season.”

9. Darian Mensah, Duke (NR)

The Blue Devils sophomore quarterback ranks second nationally with 1,838 passing yards, behind only Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson, along with a 15-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. But it’s in ACC play where Mensah has really shined, throwing for 802 yards on 73.2-percent passing and seven touchdowns with zero interceptions as Duke remains undefeated against league competition.

USA Today: “The Tulane transfer has been red-hot since the start of ACC play.”

10. Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati (NR)

The Bearcats are 2-0 in Big 12 play this season with wins over Kansas and No. 14 Iowa State in back-to-back games and much of the credit goes to Sorsby’s play. Cincinnati’s junior QB currently ranks third in the Big 12 with a 174.38 quarterback rating to go along with 1,257 yards and 12 touchdowns to just one interception on 65.9-percent passing this season.

USA Today: “Sorsby is the biggest reason for Cincinnati’s development into a Big 12 contender. … That gives him the edge for the final spot over Texas Tech’s Behren Morton and Illinois’ Luke Altmyer.”