10 Quarterbacks To Watch During Bowl Games

With Bowl season nearly upon us, who are some of the quarterbacks fans should keep an eye on?

With that tough task of finding 10 quarterbacks for fans to keep an eye on, I’m sure to get some wrath from fans of programs like Ohio State, Alabama and Washington for not picking their quarterback. I had to whittle this list down to 10 somehow, so I opted to go for some players that fans may know and a couple that may not be on their radar.

I had to include the Heisman Trophy winner (Lamar Jackson) and two other quarterbacks that were in the Heisman mix, but I also snuck a couple of surprise names like the player who was second in all of college football in passing yards.

Even though Jalen Hurts helped lead Alabama to an undefeated seasons, I couldn’t put him on this list against players who are more deserving due to posting better individual numbers. Because, after all, this isn’t a list of the best teams, but the quarterbacks who will be most exciting to watch..”

Sep 30, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; Toledo Rockets quarterback Logan Woodside (11) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Camellia Bowl (December 17) Toledo QB Logan Woodside

Guess who had the second highest passer rating in college football this season? Logan Whiteside. Toldedo’s junior quarterback racked up 3882 passing yards, completed 69.1 percent of his passes and was only picked off nine times.

Woodside threw for 438 in a game against Ohio earlier this season so he’s capable for lighting up the scoreboard. Throw into the mix the 505 he threw for against BYU and 371 against Arkansas State and he clearly has the ability to rack up the yards.

Woodside had a QB Rating better than 200 in four of his games this season (Arkansas State, Maine, BYU and Bowling Green). The interesting thing is he hasn’t had a QB Rating better than 200 since October 15th.

Campus Insiders wrote an article on Woodside called “Woodside is the best quarterback you’ve never heard of.” It’s an article worth reading, and Woodside is a player that is worth watching during the opening weekend of Bowl games.

Sep 13, 2014; Mount Pleasant, MI, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Cooper Rush (10) drops back to pass during the third quarter against the Syracuse Orange at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Beach Bowl (December 19): Central Michigan QB Cooper Rush

Granted, Cooper Rush saw a dip from his junior to senior season, but he’s still capable of having a big game under the bright lights, as he threw for 3,299 yards this season and 23 touchdowns this past season.

If Central Michigan wants to win against Tulsa, they’ll need a big game from Rush in his final collegiate game. The interesting thing to watch is likely to happen as Tulsa gave up an average of 248.3 yards passing this season to their opponents and an average of 12.7 yards per catch. That’s the kind of defense Rush is sure to exploit early and often in this bowl game.

It’s also worth noting that Central Michigan’s top running back, Devon Spalding, only had 131 rushing attempts this season. He was able to get the most out of those carries (5.6 yards per carry), but Central Michigan has proven to be a pass-heavy team this season.

Sep 1, 2016; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers quarterback Mike White (14) throws the ball during the first half against Rice Owls at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports

Baca Raton Bowl (December 20): Western Kentucky QB Mike White

No, this isn’t the actor who was horrible in School of Rock. This Mike White racked up a ton of yards (4,027) and threw a bunch of touchdowns (34). Despite racking up the yards, he rarely turned the ball over (six interceptions).

To make White an even more interesting pick, he has a chance to post some big stats as Memphis gave up an average of 442.7 yards per game this season.

Western Kentucky also has a running back in Anthony Wales who rushed for 1,410 yards this season while averaging 6.8 yards per touch. That impacts the passing game in a good way because it prevents Memphis from dropping back into pass coverage and ignoring the running game.

Dec 3, 2016; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs quarterback Ryan Higgins (14) reacts against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Armed Forces Bowl (December 23): Louisiana Tech QB Ryan Higgins

Ryan Higgins is the ultimate gunslinger to watch this month. He was third in college football in passing yards (4,208) and has the most passing yards of any quarterback playing in a bowl game.

Throw in the fact Louisiana Tech is playing Navy, and Higgins has the potential to light up the scoreboard. Navy had a solid season going 9-4, but their defense gave up an average of 29.7 points while allowing an average of 429.2 yards per offense per game and 242.2 passing yards.

Navy relies on an explosive offense to offset their average defense. Something to keep an eye on is that Navy didn’t win a single game all season in which their offense didn’t score more than 21 points. If Higgins can move the ball up and down the field, the bodes well for Louisiana Tech’s chances of winning this Bowl game.

Oct 17, 2015; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Mike Leach talks with Washington State Cougars quarterback Luke Falk (4) during a game against the Oregon State Beavers during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Cougs won 52-31. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Holiday Bowl (December 27): Washington State QB Luke Falk

Mike Leech’s latest quarterback in a bowl game? Count me in! Leech has a reputation for crafting video game-like offenses whose quarterbacks posts monster numbers. Luke Falk falls right into that mold. This season Falk threw for 4,202 yards and threw 37 touchdowns.

But it’s not just Falk that makes this offense tick. Washington averaged 477.2 yards of offense this season thanks to their running backs combining for 1,522 rushing yards.

Washington State also had eight receivers averaging more than 10 yards per catch so Falk has lots of big-play options. Highlighting those options are Gabe Marks, Tavares Martin Jr. and River Cracraft who all had more than 700 yards receiving so far this season.

Oct 8, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) talks with head coach Mike Gundy before a play against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma State won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Alamo Bowl (December 29): Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph

Junior quarterback Mason Rudolph really hit his stride in his junior season. He threw for 540 yards in a game against Pittsburgh and then 457 yards in a game against Kansas State.

Rudolph’s problem this season is that he has been horribly inconsistent. He has five games throwing more than 300 yards but four games throwing less than 250 yards. Complete feast or famine quarterback this season.

One of the big positives for Rudolph is this is the second season where he has thrown for at least 3,700 yards. He’s clearly comfortable playing against some tough competition in the Big 12.

And really, how do I leave a guy named Rudolph off my list of holiday games to watch?

Nov 5, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) goes into the end zone after scoring a forth quarter touchdown run against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 48-20. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Sun Bowl (December 30): North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky

Remember when Mitch Trubisky was being thrown around as a possible Heisman candidate? Yeah, that kind of talk looks foolish now, but he’s still a legit candidate to be drafted early in the upcoming NFL Draft. He’s an elite college quarterback that racked up 3,468 yards passing while posting a QB Rating of 161.0 this season (a dip from last season when it was 226.4 in limited playing time).

Some of North Carolina’s biggest losses this season were when Trubisky failed to connect with his receivers. Early this season, North Carolina lost to Georgia when he was held to 156 passing yards and Virginia Tech when he was held to 58 yards. Yes, you read that right: 58 yards on 33 attempts. If North Carolina wants to win this Bowl Game, they need a massive game from Trubisky.

Listening to him this season during Trubisky’s press conferences it’s clear that he’s passionate about Tar Heel football; the kid wants to end his college career with a win.

Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Louisville quarterback and Heisman finalist Lamar Jackson speaks to the media during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis before the 2016 Heisman Trophy awards ceremony. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Citrus Bowl (December 31): Louisville QB Lamar Jackson

Do you really need an explanation why Lamar “Heisman” Jackson is worth watching in a bowl game? Fine. There’s the epic play where he hurdled a Syracuse defender that went viral on the internet.

There’s also the fact he was eighth in college football in rushing yards and had 21 rushing touchdowns. Let that sink in. The starting quarterback of an elite program rushed for 1,538 yards which was good for 128.2 per game. Jackson also averaged 6.6 yards every time he ran the ball.

Every time Jackson touches the ball it can lead to a big play through him throwing the ball or running the ball. Jackson threw 30 touchdowns and passed for 3,390 yards this season.

Buckle up, football fans, and enjoy the Lamar Jackson highlight show.

Nov 19, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates after a touchdown in the second quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Fiesta Bowl (December 31): Clemson QB Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson posted some gaudy numbers this season (3,914 yards passing and 37 touchdowns) and finished third in Heisman voting. Oh, and he guided Clemson into the National Playoff with 11 wins.

Watson isn’t quite as electric as Lamar Jackson, but he’s pretty darn close. He ran for 529 yards this season and averaged 9.9 yards every time he ran the ball. He averaged 40.7 yards per game which helped to open up the running game for Wayne Gallman and the passing game for his receivers.

This is Watson’s last collegiate game as he worked hard to earn his degree this winter. Look for him to have a massive game to prove to the NFL scouts he can play at the next level and for him to leave college on a high note with a much-wanted win.

Oct 29, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is seen on the field prior to action against the Kansas Jayhawks at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Sugar Bowl (January 2): Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield is the final Heisman candidate to make his way onto this list.

Mayfield threw for 3,669 yards this season while completing 71.2 percent of his passes. He tossed 38 touchdown passes while only turning the ball over eight times. The result is Mayfield has the highest passer rating this season (198) of any quarterback in a bowl game.

Yes, even higher than Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson.

Throw into the mix that Mayfield has an elite receiver to throw to in Dede Westbrook and that’s a dynamic combo that has created magic all season. Westbrook had 1,465 yards receiving this season and averaged 19.8 yards per catch. Westbrook has a legit chance to be a star in the NFL and Mayfield is smart enough to throw to this elite target often.

The thing to watch is if Joe Mixon is cleared to play in this game. This week a nasty video circulated online showing Mixon hitting a woman, so it’s questionable if he’ll be allowed to play in this game. If that’s the case, there will be a bigger emphasis on Mayfield and the passing game.