B1G QB rankings entering Week 2: Drew Allar’s prime time show doesn’t go unnoticed

Now that we have some fresh data, the Big Ten quarterback picture is becoming just a little bit clearer.

All 14 league teams played in Week 1, providing some preliminary answers about who the actual starters are — which was necessary considering only Maryland’s Taulia Tagovailoa repeated as a B1G program opening game starter.

Drew Allar’s starting debut for Penn State stood out, as he was the only league quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards — and did so in front of a packed house of more than 110,000 people and a prime time NBC audience. Tagovailoa and Michigan’s JJ McCarthy, the B1G’s 2 established returning QBs, also stood out in romps over lesser foes.

On the other side of the spectrum, Ohio State’s Kyle McCord posted pedestrian numbers in a win over Indiana while struggling mightily to get the ball to playmakers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, who combined for 5 catches netting 34 yards.

Here’s where we are entering Week 2, going from No. 14 down to No. 1:

14. Brendan Sorsby, Indiana

Week 1: vs. Ohio State (L, 23-3), 8-of-15, 58 yards

Sorsby got the start over Tennessee transfer Tayven Jackson. It wasn’t pretty, as the Hoosiers have a lot of holes on offense and entered as nearly 30-point underdogs. Jackson went 1-for-5 for 24 yards, so maybe Sorsby remains the starter for next weekend.

Up next: vs. Indiana State

13. Ben Bryant, Northwestern

Week 1: at Rutgers (L, 24-7), 20-of-36, 169 yards, 2 INTs

The transfer from Cincinnati won the starting job over Brendan Sullivan. Given the Wildcats’ limitations in the wake of a hazing scandal and coach firing, Bryant prevailed in a reverse lottery of sorts. This isn’t going to go well, as was evidenced Sunday in New Jersey as the Scarlet Knights came within 19 seconds of their first Big Ten shutout. The vagabond veteran, a 6th-year senior, took 5 sacks before Sullivan mopped up and led the late TD drive. Bryant isn’t going to match his 9 wins with the Bearcats.

Up next: vs. UTEP

12. Gavin Wimsatt, Rutgers

Week 1: vs. Northwestern (W, 24-7), 17-of-29, 163 yards, TD; 9 carries for 33 yards and a TD

In last week’s QB rankings, we said: If Wimsatt can help the running game, protect the ball, complete half his passes and otherwise trust the defense, new OC Kirk Ciarrocca will be happy. Boom. The redshirt sophomore jumps up 2 spots in our rankings.

Up next: vs. Temple

11. Jeff Sims, Nebraska

Week 1: at Minnesota (L, 13-10), 11-of-19, 114 yards, TD, 3 INTs; 91 rushing yards

In his debut as a B1G quarterback, the transfer from Georgia Tech looked like a really solid … running back. As a passer, he threw 3 picks, including a brutal red zone misfire to close the first half. None of the interceptions resulted from bad luck; they all involved bad decisions and/or bad throws. And the 1 TD came on a trick play that needed a friendly bounce of the ball before Sims could hit a wide-open Alex Bullock. Net result: It looked like Adrian Martinez all over again. Ugh.

Up next: at Colorado

10. Athan Kaliakmanis, Minnesota

Week 1: vs. Nebraska (W, 13-10), 24-of-44, 196 yards, TD, INT

He flashed some skills, throwing accurately on the run to convert some third downs, and even weaving through the defense to rush for a first down. But Minnesota couldn’t hit any home runs in the passing game (4.5 yards per attempt) and gave up 3 sacks, and thus Kaliakmanis couldn’t make up for an anemic ground attack (55 yards on 2.2 per carry) in Game 1 post-Mo Ibrahim. Daniel Jackson’s incredible toe-dragging TD catch — combined with Nebraska’s help — saved the Gophers. But they’re going to need more from their former 4-star QB recruit moving forward.

Up next: vs. Eastern Michigan

9. Luke Altmyer, Illinois

Week 1: vs. Toledo (W, 30-28), 18-of-26, 211 yards, 2 TDs, INT

In addition to his passing, the transfer from Ole Miss also led the Illini in rushing (69 yards on 9 carries) to help his new team survive against a tough MAC opponent. Altmyer engineered a 64-yard drive to set up the winning field goal, connecting with Casey Washington for 33 yards on a 4th-and-4 play. Bret Bielema touted his poise and leadership afterward.

Up next: at Kansas

8. Kyle McCord, Ohio State

Week 1: at Indiana (W, 23-3), 20-of-33, 239 yards, INT

By the final whistle, the stats looked okay, but this counts as a dud for McCord. The offense stayed in low gear throughout the first half against a 30.5-point underdog. The junior QB couldn’t get all-world WRs Marvin Harrison Jr. (2 catches for 18 yards) and Emeka Egbuka (3-16) involved. Camp challenger Devin Brown mopped up, going 1-for-3 for minus-2 yards.

Up next: vs. Youngstown State

7. Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin

Week 1: vs. Buffalo (W, 38-17), 24-of-31, 189 yards, TD, 2 INTs

The transfer from SMU threw 2 ugly picks, giving the Bulls a pair of red zone chances. After the first one, he took a backseat to RBs Chez Mellusi and Braelon Allen as Wisconsin built a 21-point lead. Nonetheless, outside of the interceptions, Mordecai did look comfortable running the Badgers’ new, no-huddle Air Raid offense. But he’ll have to play cleaner. The dynamic backfield duo won’t be able to each run for 140+ yards and 2 TDs every game.

Up next: at Washington State

6. Cade McNamara, Iowa

Week 1: vs. Utah State (W, 24-14),16-of-29, 176 yards, 2 TDs

McNamara’s first pass as a Hawkeye went for 36 yards and a TD, and he was 8-of-11 for 86 yards and 2 TDs after the first quarter. But things just don’t come that easy on offense in Iowa City. The Michigan transfer found some rhythm again in the fourth quarter to close out the Aggies. After an injury scare during August camp, McNamara eased fans’ worries with a solid, turnover-free outing. Still, a point total that didn’t cover the betting spread leaves room to grow.

Up next: at Iowa State

5. Noah Kim, Michigan State

Week 1: vs. Central Michigan (W, 31-7), 18-of-31, 279 yards, 2 TDs

After a slow start, Kim closed the game on a 14-of-19 tear. He went 4-for-6 for 82 yards on a 57-second TD drive late in the first half, erasing a 7-3 deficit. From there, he and the Spartans rolled to a decisive victory. A solid first career start, especially the final 32 minutes.

Up next: vs. Richmond

4. Hudson Card, Purdue

Week 1: vs. Fresno State (L, 39-35), 17-of-30, 254 yards, 2 TDs

The transfer from Texas rallied the Boilermakers once in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t do it again in the final minute. His outing was solid, but opposing QB Mikey Keene had the more Purdue-esque line with 366 yards and 4 TDs.

Up next: at Virginia Tech

3. Drew Allar, Penn State

Week 1: vs. West Virginia (W, 38-15), 21-of-29, 325 yards, 3 TDs

In his first start, Allar lived up to the 5-star hype from a year ago, impressing a huge Saturday night home crowd. His ability to move within the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield paid major dividends for the Nittany Lions. With the Big Ten’s only 300-yard passing game of Week 1, Allar climbs 2 spots in our rankings.

Up next: vs. Delaware

2. Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland

Week 1: vs. Towson (W, 38-6), 22-of-33, 260 yards, 3 TDs

After 1 quarter, the senior had already spread the ball to 7 receivers while going 11-of-15 for 152 yards and 2 TDs — plus a 23-yard rushing score. The FCS Tigers didn’t offer much resistance, but the 4th-year starter looked healthy and sharp. That’s a great sign for Maryland.

Up next: vs. Charlotte

1. JJ McCarthy, Michigan

Week 1: vs. East Carolina (W, 30-3), 26-of-30, 280 yards, 3 TDs

After delivering a message in support of suspended head coach Jim Harbaugh during warmups, McCarthy delivered one to Heisman voters and Michigan doubters in the first season-opening start of his career. The assault on the all-time completion percentage record is on.

Up next: vs. UNLV