Alabama Football: Rating the opposing QBs from last to best

Taking down Alabama football in any game is a tough task. When it happens it usually results from outstanding play by an opposing quarterback.

Not every Alabama football loss going back to the 2009 season occurred because an opposing QB worked some evil magic. It does pretty much feel like it though because it has happened – too often to forget. Cam Newton, Stephen Garcia, Johnny Manziel, Bo Wallace, Trevor Knight, Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence are QBs who stabbed a dagger into Crimson Tide hearts.

Can an opposing QB do it to the Crimson Tide again in the 2019 season? If we were projecting post-season play, Jake Fromm and Trevor Lawrence could not be ignored as major threats. In the regular season, even an exceptional performance by an opposing QB is alone not enough to take down the Tide. Combine great QB play, with a strong defensive performance and enough Alabama football miscues, A Tide loss could happen.

This post will not rate the regular season opposing quarterbacks with any adjustment for the strength or weakness of their team’s defense. Only quarterbacking talent will be considered.

Rating from least dangerous to most dangerous, let’s consider the 12 regular season opposing QBs.

• No. 12 – Josh Adkins – New Mexico State. Adkins had 13 touchdown passes last season balance against nine interceptions.
• No. 11 – Quinton Harris – Duke. In fairness to Harris, he had only mop-up work, playing behind Daniel Jones. He could be far better than No. 11 because of being tutored by David Cutcliffe.
• No. 10 – Jack Abraham – Southern Miss. Abraham might surprise me this season but I doubt he surprises the improved Alabama football secondary and pass rush. He did complete over 70 percent of his throws last season.
• No. 9 – Tyrie Adams – Western Carolina. The only reason Adams is not rated higher is being an FCS QB. He is a true, dual-threat weapon and might deserve to be at No. 8 or even No. 7.
• No. 8 –  Joey Gatewood – Auburn. By the Iron Bowl, Bo Nix may be the Tigers’ QB, but the redshirt freshman Gatewood is likely to start in week one. Credit him for athleticism, and then minus that some for Gus’ lack of QB development.
• No. 7 – Ben Hicks – Arkansas. We are guessing Kicks will beat out TAMU transfer Nick Starkel. If not, No. 7 works for both. Hicks was Chad Morris’ guy at SMU, throwing for over 9,000 yards in three seasons. He had to cure a propensity for throwing interceptions. He’ll be throwing behind a Hogs’ line that may struggle to protect him, so his big arm will not help as much in the SEC.
• No. 6 – Matt Corral – Ole Miss. Corral is a talented gunslinger and a fiery leader. We guess, after an interception, he may become the first SEC QB to be flagged for targeting.
• No. 5 – Tommy Stevens – Mississippi State. Stevens is a Joe Moorhead protege from Penn State. If he beats out Keytaon Thompson, it will be to facilitate offensive changes for the Bulldogs.
• No. 4 – Jarrett Guarantano – Tennessee. There is no questioning Guarantano’s courage. Playing behind the recent UT offensive lines required bravery. The Vols should be tougher up front so Jarrett has a chance for a solid season.
• No. 3 – Joe Burrow – LSU. According to Bengal Tigers fabs, 2019 will show a much-improved Joe Burrow. We remain skeptical.
• No. 2 – Jake Bentley – South Carolina. Bentley won the recent ‘Air-it-Out’ throwing contest at the recent Manning Passing Academy. Alabama football fans should not take him too lightly.
• No. 1 – Kellen Mond – Texas A&M. Mond is the closest Alabama football will come to combating a Kyler Murray type QB this season. He is not as good as Murray but he is good enough to cause any defense problems.

The group of 12 looks like a pretty Kryptonite-less bunch. You never know. No one foresaw Stephen Garcia leading an upset over the Crimson Tide.