B1G QB Rankings after Week 5: A surprising switch at the top

We have a new face at the top.

This might seem like the most unlikely week to see a major change at the top of the quarterback standings, especially considering what Dwayne Haskins did in the final eight minutes of Ohio State’s win over Penn State. But one quarterback has dethroned the reigning No. 1 gunslinger.

Is the suspense killing you? Good. Let’s jump into the latest B1G QB rankings.

14. Artur Sitkowski, Rutgers (E)

For what it’s worth, Sitkowski is getting plenty of great in-game experience. Rutgers hasn’t surrounded their former 4-star quarterback with a lot of talent or an offensive line. All things considered, he actually had a solid performance against Indiana and kept the Scarlet Knights in the game.

Last week vs. Indiana: 18-of-35, 154 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

13. AJ Bush/MJ Rivers, Illinois (-1)

Illinois was on a bye week, so the Illinois quarterbacks got leapfrogged. They’ll have a chance to make up ground next week against Rutgers.

Last week: Bye week

12. Clayton Thorson, Northwestern (-1)

You can’t really say this has been the decline of Clayton Thorson. It’s obvious the ACL injury is affecting the Northwestern quarterback dramatically. He’s thrown just three touchdown passes on the year. He was consistent against a good Michigan defense, but still hasn’t put up big numbers.

Last week vs. No. 14 Michigan: 16-of-27, 174 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

11. Kasim Hill, Maryland (-1)

A big test awaits Hill and the Terrapins as they’ll take on No. 15 Michigan next Saturday. It’s the quarterback’s second major test of the season.

Last week: Bye week

10. Adrian Martinez, Nebraska (+3)

We got another look at just how dangerous Martinez can be when he’s fully healthy. In addition to slinging the ball around the field against Purdue, the freshman added 91 yards with his feet. This kid is going to be a playmaker, he just doesn’t have much help around him right now.

Last week vs. Purdue: 25-of-42, 323 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

9. Zack Annexstad, Minnesota (-1)

The off week means the true freshman walk-on gets jumped by a few other QBs in action. Annexstad and the Gophers take on Iowa next Saturday.

Last week: Bye week

8. Peyton Ramsey, Indiana (+1)

Ramsey continues to be Mr. Consistency for the Indiana offense. Though the Hoosiers struggled to move the ball and close out drives in the second half, Ramsey still completed nearly 70 percent of his passes and added 51 yards on the ground. Not a great outing, but he got IU the win.

Last week vs. Rutgers: 27-of-40, 288 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

7. Nate Stanley, Iowa (-1)

Another B1G quarterback on a bye week. Stanley will have a chance to move up next week as the Hawkeyes take on Minnesota.

Last week: Bye week

6. Alex Hornibrook, Wisconsin (-1)

The Badgers got a bye a week after a huge comeback win over Iowa. Hornibrook has a chance to make some noise against a bad Nebraska defense on Saturday.

Last week: Bye week

5. Brian Lewerke, Michigan State (-1)

Slipping, slipping, slipping. Lewerke continues to tumble on the B1G ladder, and it may not be any fault of his own. Michigan State’s offensive line just isn’t very good right now. Lewerke did have two rushing touchdowns for the Spartans in the win, proving he’s still a threat with his feet.

Last week vs. Central Michigan: 16-of-25, 185 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT

4. David Blough, Purdue (+3)

Nobody has climbed higher over the last three weeks than the Purdue quarterback. Blough has thrown for 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns in the last three games and the Boilermakers are 2-1 in that stretch. He’s really starting to click in Jeff Brohm’s open offense.

Last week vs. Nebraska: 25-of-42, 328 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

3. Shea Patterson, Michigan (E)

Admittedly, Patterson’s numbers against Northwestern weren’t great. But the transfer quarterback was perfect on Michigan’s game-winning drive, going 3-for-3 for 44 yards and rushing for 11 more. He led the Wolverines down the field for the winning touchdown. Patterson proved to be a big-moment gamer on Saturday, even if the stats don’t reflect it.

Last week vs. Northwestern: 15-of-24, 196 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

2. Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State (-1)

Eight plays, 96 yards and a game-winning touchdown pass. I know, Haskins slips to No. 2 after an incredibly gutsy performance in a win over Penn State. But the Ohio State quarterback got plenty of help from his playmakers. He was able to dump the ball off and let them create. While he did an excellent job of getting the ball to them, Saturday night’s win was more about those guys than Haskins.

Last week vs. No. 9 Penn State: 22-of-39, 270 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT

1. Trace McSorley, Penn State (+1)

Yes, Penn State lost in dramatic fashion, but McSorley balled out in his final matchup against Ohio State. He threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 175 more, setting a program record for most yards in a game (461). He didn’t turn the ball over and shredded the Buckeyes’ defense most of the evening. McSorley proved just how important he is to the Nittany Lions. And if James Franklin wouldn’t have taken the ball out of his hands at the end of the game, he probably would’ve been the hero.

Last week vs. No. 4 Ohio State: 16-of-32, 286 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT