Let's be clear here; Jared Goff is still my favorite off all-time. I never particularly cared for Herbert, but he was pretty obviously the best QB in the Pac-12 when he was in college. Any comparison of McKee to Herbert is way too premature... McKee has only started a couple of games now, versus 4 years for Herbert. But McKee definitely has the arm to make NFL throws.
Since I know you're going to ask, here's my current QB rankings:
1. Tanner McKee, Stanford
2. Chance Nolan, Oregon State
3. Jaxson Dart, USC
4. Jayden Daniels, ASU
5. Cam Rising, Utah
6. Kedon Slovis, USC
7. Chase Garbers, Cal
8. Dylan Morris, Washington
9. Jayden de Laura, Wazzu
10. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA
11. Anthony Brown, Oregon
12. Brendon Lewis, Colorado
13-15. Jordan McCloud / Gunner Cruz / Will Plummer, Arizona
de Laura is makedly beter than Morris, based on first hand observations back to back. de Laura has his inconsistent moments, but still looks to make throws, and actually makes a good number of them. Either Morris a) can not make Pac-12 level throws, b) does not have the confidence to try to make them, even when they are open, or c) has marching orders to not try (this is a distinct possibility, based on going on 2 half seasons of watching Donovan mis-manage the Husky offense on an epic level). Given base competence QB play, the Huskies would have beat the Beavers, and the way the Cougs clawed the OSU secondary to pieces in the 2nd half would not have taken anyone not paying attention by surprise.
"the way the Cougs clawed the OSU secondary to pieces in the 2nd half"
The way they did that was by getting receivers wiiiiide open. De Laura cannot make tough throws, and Morris can (occasionally). I'd challenge you to find me a highlight-reel throw of de Laura from the 2nd half of that OSU game, because all I saw was the OSU secondary completely blowing it by the 3rd quarter. Morris has indeed attempted much more difficult throws. Unfortunately, my hard drive is corrupted and I lost my UW gifs, but I've seen Morris make good throws into tight coverage. My issue with Morris are that he's not making good reads. My issue with de Laura though, is that he's just not making good throws: https://imgur.com/a/7DmdNm4
The best thing de Laura does is use the threat of the run to help get receivers open, and de Laura is obviously a much better runner than Morris. But if I had to pick a QB that had to make a difficult throw, it would be Morris by a mile.
Oski's blessings upon that poor soul who spent all evening counting Tributes to Troy. 62 seems low, though. If USC didn't spend the first 45 minutes getting steamrolled it probably would have been closer to triple digits.
What strange is on the rare occasions where we beat SC, I kind of enjoy hearing it. In ‘03 we were singing it as we walked down Bancroft after the game.
Arizona hasn't won a game in 2 years, which includes an embarrassing loss to an FCS team this season. I don't know what else they have to do to get ranked last.
Let's be clear here; Jared Goff is still my favorite off all-time. I never particularly cared for Herbert, but he was pretty obviously the best QB in the Pac-12 when he was in college. Any comparison of McKee to Herbert is way too premature... McKee has only started a couple of games now, versus 4 years for Herbert. But McKee definitely has the arm to make NFL throws.
Since I know you're going to ask, here's my current QB rankings:
1. Tanner McKee, Stanford
2. Chance Nolan, Oregon State
3. Jaxson Dart, USC
4. Jayden Daniels, ASU
5. Cam Rising, Utah
6. Kedon Slovis, USC
7. Chase Garbers, Cal
8. Dylan Morris, Washington
9. Jayden de Laura, Wazzu
10. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA
11. Anthony Brown, Oregon
12. Brendon Lewis, Colorado
13-15. Jordan McCloud / Gunner Cruz / Will Plummer, Arizona
de Laura is makedly beter than Morris, based on first hand observations back to back. de Laura has his inconsistent moments, but still looks to make throws, and actually makes a good number of them. Either Morris a) can not make Pac-12 level throws, b) does not have the confidence to try to make them, even when they are open, or c) has marching orders to not try (this is a distinct possibility, based on going on 2 half seasons of watching Donovan mis-manage the Husky offense on an epic level). Given base competence QB play, the Huskies would have beat the Beavers, and the way the Cougs clawed the OSU secondary to pieces in the 2nd half would not have taken anyone not paying attention by surprise.
"the way the Cougs clawed the OSU secondary to pieces in the 2nd half"
The way they did that was by getting receivers wiiiiide open. De Laura cannot make tough throws, and Morris can (occasionally). I'd challenge you to find me a highlight-reel throw of de Laura from the 2nd half of that OSU game, because all I saw was the OSU secondary completely blowing it by the 3rd quarter. Morris has indeed attempted much more difficult throws. Unfortunately, my hard drive is corrupted and I lost my UW gifs, but I've seen Morris make good throws into tight coverage. My issue with Morris are that he's not making good reads. My issue with de Laura though, is that he's just not making good throws: https://imgur.com/a/7DmdNm4
The best thing de Laura does is use the threat of the run to help get receivers open, and de Laura is obviously a much better runner than Morris. But if I had to pick a QB that had to make a difficult throw, it would be Morris by a mile.
Go Bears on Friday and exorcise the demons that have impacted the first half of the season.
Oski's blessings upon that poor soul who spent all evening counting Tributes to Troy. 62 seems low, though. If USC didn't spend the first 45 minutes getting steamrolled it probably would have been closer to triple digits.
It drones on so tirelessly that if I were forced to count, I might forget to keep tracking.
What strange is on the rare occasions where we beat SC, I kind of enjoy hearing it. In ‘03 we were singing it as we walked down Bancroft after the game.
The lyrics to Tribute to Troy: "We've got a song that'll GET on your nerves, we've got a song that'll GET on your nerves, oh yeah..."
Appreciate all the nice stats and charts!
You're welcome and thanks for reading
mine, before looking
1. ASU. Looking solid on both sides of the ball.
2. Oregon.
3. UCLA. Had some trouble shaking the Cats, but any road win is good.
4. Utah. Sacking Troy would be more impressive if Furd and Beavs didn't do it first.
5. Oregon State. Tough loss in Pullman, but Wazzu doesn't look like a pushover anymore.
6. Furd. Whatever, guys. You do you.
7. Washington.
8. SC. Already have three home 14+ point home losses where they gave up 40+, and they haven't even played anyone good yet.
9. Wazzu. Offense rounding into form. Tempted to rank them above SC.
10. Cal. Wazzu loss doesn't look quite as bad now. It was still bad.
11. Zona. Hung with UCLA for 3 quarters, but still got paved on the ground.
12. Colorado. Lost to aTm by 3, just like Bama. Also still lost 30-0 at home to Minnesota.
Hard to see putting Zona ahead of the Buffs considering their QB injury situation.
Arizona hasn't won a game in 2 years, which includes an embarrassing loss to an FCS team this season. I don't know what else they have to do to get ranked last.
Of course the one time I complement a team in Oregon state they completely f it up in Pullman. Oh the PAC 12 and how you never cease to amaze...
I find it interesting that in this article about major and Pac-12 programs that could need be in the market for new coaches, Cal is not even mentioned. It's like we're no longer on the map. https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/32380400/midseason-hot-seat-report-coaching-changes-coming-soon-lsu-miami-beyond