The Big Quarterback Questions That Will Decide the Fate of the Playoffs
Several quarterbacks stepping into key roles this season could tilt the championship race entirely. Some face pressure to lead rebuilt offenses, while the rest are carrying past mistakes into critical years. A few have never begun a full season but now control top-tier programs.
For all the talk about depth and coaching, quarterback play still defines the margins between playoff success and elimination. After all, these are the situations where everything could swing, based on what happens under center.
Drew Allar Must Respond When Defenses Tighten
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Allar’s numbers are efficient, and he avoids turnovers. But when he faces elite defenses, his impact drops. His Orange Bowl interception cost Penn State a final shot, and another missed opportunity against Ohio State told a similar story. With fewer proven weapons around him this year, he’ll need to create under pressure.
Texas Needs Arch Manning to Grow Quickly
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As Arch Manning takes over for Quinn Ewers as Texas’s starting quarterback, he’s walking into an attack that looks far different than last season’s. The Longhorns lost key contributors to the NFL, including first-round tackle Kelvin Banks and top receiver Matthew Golden. Manning showed potential in limited action as he operated behind solid protection with easy reads.
Dante Moore is Looking for a Reset in Eugene
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Struggling through his 2023 season at UCLA, Dante Moore threw interceptions on more than 4% of his attempts and absorbed 25 sacks across nine games. A weak offensive line contributed to the damage, and his well-thrown rate ranked near the bottom of the Pac-12. Oregon now offers a reset, with Will Stein guiding the game plays after successful quarterback turnarounds.
Ty Simpson Still Feels Like a Mystery at Alabama
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It is hard to evaluate Ty Simpson, given how little he’s played despite spending three seasons on Alabama’s roster. He’s attempted just 45 passes and made his most notable appearance during a brief 2023 relief effort. With Nick Saban gone, every position—including quarterback—is wide open. Simpson currently leads the competition, but his track record offers little clarity.
Boise State Will Learn If Maddux Madsen Can Lead
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Despite putting up efficient numbers last season, Maddux Madsen benefited heavily from defenses keying on Ashton Jeanty. The attention gave him cleaner throwing lanes and manageable reads. With Jeanty and top receiver Cam Camper both gone, defensive strategies will shift. Madsen’s 8.1 adjusted yards per attempt stood out, but his high pickable pass rate points to risk.
Joey Aguilar Has the Tools Tennessee Wants
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Tennessee’s offense under Josh Heupel demands a quarterback who can deliver deep and process quickly. Aguilar fits that mold because at Appalachian State, he averaged 10.6 air yards per attempt and had a well-thrown rate just under 80%. But he also threw 14 interceptions, the most in the FBS.
Shedeur Sanders Has a Real Chance in Cleveland
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The Browns haven’t had quarterback stability in years, but Sanders has a chance to change that. He’s competing in a crowded room, but coaches seem willing to give him a full look. In his recent kickoff, he avoided mistakes and threw with control, even if the offense didn’t finish drives. With two first-round draft picks next year, the franchise could easily pivot.
Caleb Williams Has to Fix His Completion Rate
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Currently sitting 40th in completion percentage, Caleb Williams hasn’t delivered the passing efficiency expected from a top pick. His on-target launch rate has dropped nearly five percentage points, and that decline shows in the Bears’ tape. Although Chicago continues to win, team staff admit that the passing game isn’t driving results.
Bo Nix Still Battles Timing Issues Under Pressure
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Managing close wins and leading comeback drives has kept Bo Nix at the center of Denver’s playoff push. Still, coaches have pointed out timing issues that surface under pressure, particularly in the fourth quarter. The inconsistency has stalled drives in key moments. Sean Payton sees improvement, but the Broncos need cleaner execution late in games.
Jaxson Dart Can’t Afford Another Missed Game
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Jaxson Dart gives the Giants a quarterback who can extend plays with designed runs and scrambles, something they lacked in recent years. In five starts, he’s rushed for over 50 yards and forced defenses to account for his legs. He’s also taken multiple high-impact hits, including one that led to a concussion.