Wanted: Experienced QB's

During the basketball season, I had some fun looking at what factors made up a championship basketball team. And though I caught grief for not picking Memphis to win it all, it turns out that their lack of consistency on the free throw line ultimately did them in.

So let's try to do the same thing with college football. Granted, it won't be the same because we don't have a playoff system, but we'll work with what we have.

(Isn't it funny to see Bob Stoops and Pete Carroll whine about the playoff system? When will someone in the press ask the pointed questions? Instead of yucking it up with the coach, why not ask them, "Have you talked with your president about this? Have you argued with your conference commissioner about this?" And I love how our president-elect would love to change this as well. Man, it's frustrating when no one will address the real issue.)

Can you answer this question off the top of your head? Name the starting QB's for the last seven BCS champions.

You probably don't even remember last year's, but here they are:

2007 - LSU - Matt Flynn
2006 - Florida - Chris Leak
2005 - Texas - Vince Young
2004 - USC - Matt Lienart
2003 - LSU - Matt Mauck
2002 - Ohio State - Craig Krenzal
2001 - Miami - Ken Dorsey

Notice any similarities here? All were either Juniors or Seniors with at least some experience entering the Championship Game. In fact, the only true exception is Matt Flynn and you may or may not remember that they are the only two loss team on this list.

So, experienced QB play is important. Tell me something we don't already know Play is Under Review!!

Here's my counter to that. If everyone knows that, then why were Oklahoma, LSU and Auburn all ranked in the top ten when their starting QB was not a junior or a senior with experience?

I've seen the importance of this first hand. After watching John Parker Wilson lead the Crimson Tide for 3 years, it's amazing to see the difference in his play this year. The stats may not show it, but the number of turnovers have been reduced and the number of sacks definitely have been reduced. He knows when to throw the ball away and he won't make plays that aren't there.

I still remember him just giving Auburn 14 points by turning the ball over twice in front of his end zone in 2006. You can't win close games when you do that. With experience those mistakes just seem to happen less and less.

And sadly, for all of those Tide fans that think next year may be even better... If my theory is correct, then.....well..... let's just not go there right now......maybe we have a Matt Flynn waiting in the wings.... Yea, that's it....I feel better now....

So, if experienced QB play is important, let's see who we can rule out down the stretch. And remember, there will be other factors. We'll get to them in the coming days. Be patient.

Still in the Mix

Alabama - JP Wilson - Senior - Experience

Texas Tech - Graham Harrell - Senior - Experience

Texas - Colt McCoy - Junior - Experience

Florida - Tim Tebow - Junior - Experience


Not Looking So Good

Penn State - Daryll Clark - Junior - 1st year starter

Oklahoma - Sam Bradford - Sophomore - 2nd year starter (Remember there hasn't been a freshman or sophomore in the last 7 years)

USC - Mark Sanchez - Junior - 1st year starter


So, it's not looking so good for Penn State, Oklahoma or USC. But if it were that easy, every team would groom a QB for a couple of years and then when a championship. So there has to be other factors, right??