Does Payton Thorne give Auburn a QB edge vs all of their opponents in 2023?

The Tigers quarterback room looks a little different after the spring transfer portal window has come and gone.

The addition of Payton Thorne (Michigan State transfer) and the departure of TJ Finley has shaken up the assumed depth chart heading into the 2023 offseason.

Hugh Freeze now has two quarterbacks he can work with, and barring injury Thorne should be a massive boost for the Tigers' offense.

Now that the Tigers have Thorne, a record-setting QB at Michigan State, how do the compare to other quarterbacks across their schedule?

Sept. 2nd vs UMass

Projected starting quarterback: Taisun Phommachanh

Phommachanh transferred in from Georgia Tech (previously at Clemson) earlier this offseason and will immediately contend for the starting job. The Minutemen also have other options - Brady Olson (two touchdowns, eight interceptions in 2022) and Western Carolina transfer Carlos Davis (23/18 TD/INT ratio in 13 games over three seasons).

None of these players are better than Auburn's projected starter Payton Thorne.

Sept. 9th at California

Projected starting quarterback: Sam Jackson V

Jackson was a third-string quarterback for the TCU Horned Frogs last season. The former four-star QB ran for 64 yards and two touchdowns while completing all five of his passes for 63 yards in garbage time.

He's a dual-threat prospect that should provide a new dynamic to the anemic California offense. He has upside but isn't better than Thorne on paper right now.

Sept. 16th vs Samford

Projected starting quarterback: Michael Hiers

Hiers completed 76% of his passes for 36 touchdowns to just four interceptions last season for the Bulldogs. He played a lot larger than his size (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) and loved to attack downfield.

It's doubtful that Hiers will be able to get away with his explosive playstyle against the Tigers' defense, but there's no doubt he's a very solid FCS quarterback. Not sure if he's better than Thorne.

Sept. 23rd at Texas A&M

Projected starting quarterback: Connor Weigman

Weigman should be at the top of the pecking order come week one. A five-star freshman in 2022, Weigman threw eight touchdowns and no interceptions over the course of five games.

LSU transfer Max Johnson should be QB No. 2 despite having a career TD/INT ratio of 38/7. Freshman Marcel Reed, who could be a more interesting option for new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. Weigman has the potential to be better than Thorne, but he's going to need to show it through the end of the season.

Sept. 30th vs Georgia

Projected starting quarterback: Carson Beck

Beck is currently the favorite to win the job over Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton. Regardless of whoever wins the job the Bulldogs are expected to put their signal-caller in the best position to win, given their talent across the roster.

Statistically, it's likely that Beck & Co. will outperform Thorne, especially in this matchup.

Oct. 14th at LSU

Projected starting quarterback: Jayden Daniels

Daniels accounted for 29 touchdowns in his first season with the Tigers. He's one of the more stable quarterbacks in the league and should have a better season than Thorne. He may not have a decisive edge over him in Baton Rouge, however.

Oct. 21st vs Ole Miss

Projected starting quarterback: Spencer Sanders

It's a three man race between incumbent Jaxson Dart, Oklahoma State transfer Spencer Sanders and LSU transfer Walker Howard. All of them are good enough to win the job.

Sanders seems like the most likely choice given his experience and arm talent relative to Dart. Kiffin will have whoever is under center playing very well.

Oct. 28th vs Mississippi State

Projected starting quarterback: Will Rogers

Rogers has been a machine at Mississippi State, having thrown for 82 touchdowns to 24 interceptions over the course of 35 career games. He's one of the SEC's best.

How does he perform in a non-air raid system?

His numbers aren't going to tank (unless the new offensive scheme Kevin Barbay, who was known for having a balanced offense at App State, but they should take a slight step back, simply due to the fact that MSU won't be throwing the football as much.

That doesn't take away from Rogers' talent.

Nov. 4th at Vanderbilt

Projected starting quarterback: AJ Swann

The clear No. 1 option here is Swann for Vanderbilt. He threw 10 touchdowns to two interceptions in his freshman season with the Commodores.

Swann should continue to develop in his Sophomore season, but on paper he's not better than Payton Thorne.

Nov. 11th at Arkansas

Projected starting quarterback: KJ Jefferson

48 passing touchdowns, 19 rushing touchdowns, a 65.5% completion percentage and over 7,200 total yards over the course of his career.

KJ Jefferson just might be the SEC's best quarterback heading into 2023.

Whether or not Arkansas will be able to rebound from a confusing 2022 season is yet to be decided. But that doesn't negate the fact that they have one of the best signal-callers in the league.

Nov. 18th vs New Mexico State

Projected starting quarterback: Diego Pavia

Pavia threw 13 touchdowns to six interceptions in 2022, including three in a win over Hugh Freeze's Liberty Flames.

Nov. 25th vs Alabama

Projected starting quarterback: Tyler Buchner

It's either going to be Buchner, Jalen Milroe or Ty Simpson. Neither Milroe or Simpson looked good in Alabama's spring game, and the Tide went out and got Buchner in response (assumedly). Bama's QB room is the most raw it's been in several years. Not void of talent, but raw. Buchner could end up thriving under Nick Saban, but on the surface this is looking like a very interesting season for Alabama largely due in part to the quarterback situation.

On paper, Payton Thorne is a better quarterback than Buchner. The Bama room as a whole has more upside, however,

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