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Will a QB win Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors?
By Adam Biggers
Published:
Sean Clifford is airing it out for Penn State. Adrian Martinez is letting them fly for Nebraska. Taulia Tagovailoa has the golden arm for Maryland. Payton Thorne is taking control of the sky for Michigan State.
CJ Stroud was putting up numbers before getting a rest at Ohio State. So maybe his backup Kyle McCord will do the same?
Either way, 4 Big Ten QBs outside of Columbus have found themselves among the top 50 passers in college football (Stroud is in that group too, No. 34 in total passing yards nationally even after sitting against Akron).
As we wait to see how the Stroud/OSU situation plays out, lets handicap the candidacies of several other QBs for the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award.
The Big Ten is known for its running backs, but the recognized best player in the league could end up being a quarterback for the 4th straight year. Yeah, running backs at Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State are stuffing stat sheets and gaining umpteen yards per game — but it’s difficult to turn a blind eye to the guys throwing the ball.
Since 2010, 5 Big Ten QBs have won the league’s top offensive player award. They were all from Ohio State, too: Justin Fields went back-to-back in 2019 and 2020, Dwayne Haskins won it in 2018 and Braxton Miller went back-to-back in 2012 and 2013.
The last non-OSU QB to claim the honor: Denard Robinson of Michigan in 2010.
Maybe this is the year another non-Buckeye breaks through at quarterback.
Take a look at these QBs who are off to a fast start. They might just join the list of B1G offensive honorees.
Sean Clifford, Penn State
Stats: 1,162 yards (No. 15 in FBS), 8 TDs, 2 INTs
He’s faced his fair share of criticism, but Clifford has done a nice job of proving doubters wrong and lifting the Nittany Lions to Big Ten contention. He’s beaten Auburn and Wisconsin, and his 401 yards and 4 TDs were the reason Penn State trampled Villanova, 38-17, this past weekend.
He’s completed 86 of 120 attempts, a 71.7 percent success rate. He leads the B1G with 9.7 yards per attempt. If he keeps zipping passes to his talented group of receivers and Penn State keeps winning, he’ll be in various awards conversations.
Adrian Martinez, Nebraska
Stats: 1,261 yards (No. 9 FBS), 5 TDs, 2 INTs
Nebraska lost a tough one vs. Michigan State, despite a valiant effort from Martinez, who is completing about 65 percent of his passes and averages 9.5 yards per attempt. And don’t forget, the QB has some wheels to go along with that arm. Just ask the Spartans.
Unfortunately, the Huskers haven’t been able to win games, already dropping 3 — including tough losses to Oklahoma and Michigan State the past 2 weeks. Fordham and Buffalo are the only teams the Huskers have beaten.
Unless Nebraska pulls off a miracle and runs the table, there is no chance of Martinez winning any B1G awards. He has solid stats, though, which is why he’s mentioned here based on his current 5-game resume.
Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland
Stats: 1,340 yards (No. 7 FBS), 10 TDs, 1 INT
Maryland is 4-0, so projecting Tagovailoa as a potential Big Ten Player of the Year candidate might not be out of order. His 10:1 TD-to-pick ratio and more than 1,300 yards through 4 games give him a glimmer of hope as the Terps look to stay undefeated Saturday against No. 5 Iowa.
The B1G East is loaded, so Maryland — and Tagovailoa — will have major competition when it comes to ruling that side of the conference. But through 4 weeks, Tagovailoa looks legit, so don’t write him off just because he’s not QB’ing for an established powerhouse.
Payton Thorne, Michigan State
Stats: 909 yards (No. 42 FBS), 10 TDs, 1 INT
He’s already accomplishing statistical feats similar to those of past MSU stars early their careers, and if the Spartans keep winning, there is a good chance Thorne will stay in the POY race. He’s limited turnovers and has Michigan State in the mix — early, albeit — for conference supremacy.
The second-year starter has commanded respect in the locker room and appears to be the face of the Spartans’ program. He’s had some help via other offensive production and special teams magic, but Thorne absolutely has what it takes to seize full control and guide the ship. It helps, obviously, that he has RB Kenneth Walker III, who is also capable of pushing the offense to new heights — or at least heights that will make MSU a force to be reckoned within the Big Ten.
Final thought
Remember Jerry Springer’s final thoughts at the conclusion of his trashy TV talk show?
Well, here’s the final assessment of the aforementioned QBs: Clifford probably has the best chance of winning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year recognition, only because Penn State looks like it could be a Playoff team. Again, the East is loaded, and Thorne’s Spartans might have a say when it’s all said and done.
But right now, if a bet was forced, putting money on Clifford makes the most sense.
Adam Biggers brings his expertise on the Michigan beat to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.