Big 12 Power Rankings: Backup QBs get chance to shine
They don’t normally get the headlines. They don’t get the glory. They don’t always get the cutest girls, either. Backup quarterbacks usually just get to hold extra points and clipboards.
That is, unless they play in the Big 12 this season.
Saturday saw a host of backup quarterbacks take the spotlight from injured starters and shined a light on the art of next-man-up. With all these second- and third-string guys coming to the fore, here's how the top backup quarterbacks rank in the Big 12 this season
The 2015 Big 12 Backup QB Power Ranking:
1. J.W. Walsh, Oklahoma State
He’s not technically a starter, but he might as well be named “Reliever of the Year” as Walsh has played nearly as much as starter Mason Rudolph in some games. A running quarterback, Walsh is the go-to guy in the red zone and provides an effective change of pace, having run for 11 touchdowns.
2. Chris Johnson, Baylor
The quarterback-turned-receiver-turned-quarterback came in for Jarrett Stidham in the second half Saturday and threw touchdowns of 39 and 71 yards within his first five throws. Johnson was smooth, looked decisive, and produced immediately as he led the Bears to a huge road win at OSU.
3. Jarrett Stidham, Baylor
The only reason this freshman phenom sits behind teammate Johnson is because of the circumstances surrounding the heroics Saturday. Other than that, the future looks bright for the Bears offense to stay a high-wire act thanks to this composed and precocious frosh.
4. Bram Kohlhausen, TCU
The seldom-used senior had a fourth quarter for the ages. Down 30-13 at Oklahoma, Kohlhausen led three scoring drives in the final 8:59 to pull TCU within 30-29 with 51 seconds left. Kohlhausen would’ve reached true folk hero status had his two-point pass not been knocked down.
5. Joel Lanning, Iowa State
Lanning’s inclusion here is the most surprising considering how much was expected of senior Sam B. Richardson, who entered the season with 31 career starts. But when Richardson stalled, Lanning came in and delivered a win over Texas and near upsets of Oklahoma State and Kansas State.
6. Joe Hubener, Kansas State.
Lest we forget, Hubener’s journey started way back on opening day for the Cats. Starter Jesse Ertz was injured and lost for the season after one play. Hubener came out of the bullpen and has had an elevator season of ups and downs. But to his credit, KSU is still in the bowl hunt.
And now on to the regular Big 12 Power Rankings:
1. Oklahoma (last Week: 2)
That was a skin-of-the-teeth win for the Big Red. A comfortable 30-13 advantage looked safe, but with no Baker Mayfield and the defense not getting stops, things became hairy.
2. Baylor (last Week: 3)
Believe it or not, this was the Bears’ first win at OSU since 1939. Key stat: Baylor ran for 304 yards and held the Cowboys to just eight yards rushing.
3. Oklahoma State (last Week: 1)
The 45-35 loss to Baylor marked the fifth time in eight games the Cowboys trailed at halftime this season. This time, OSU never got the game to single digits again.
4. TCU (last Week: 4)
As Todd Blackledge said on the telecast, this was a valiant effort by the Frogs. They out-yarded OU 186-20 in the fourth quarter alone, but then came that batted down two-point conversion. Curses.
5. West Virginia (last Week: 5)
For the first time since 1969, the ‘Neers had three players go over 100 yards rushing in the win at Kansas: Skyler Howard (129 yards), Wendell Smallwood (115), and Rushel Shell (108).
6. Texas Tech (last Week: 6)
Nothing would make Kliff Kingsbury’s wry smile all the more devilish than his team knocking Texas out of bowl contention on Thanksgiving night.
7. Kansas State (last Week: 7)
With the 38-35 win over Iowa State, the Wildcats stay in bowl contention at 4-6. Winnable games at Kansas and vs. West Virginia remain.
8. Texas (last Week: 9)
UT spent the bye week deflecting talk that Charlie Strong is a candidate for the Miami job. Wins over Texas Tech and Baylor gets them a bowl bid. Yikes.
9. Iowa State (last Week: 8)
The Paul Rhoads era is done, but can’t say we’re shocked. Rhoads had some high points, like upsets over Nebraska in 2009 and No. 2 Oklahoma State in 2011, but too many lowlights.
10. Kansas (last Week: 10)
While the woebegone football team is 0-11, the Jayhawks basketball team is in Maui for a tournament. Oh the symbolism.