College football has morphed from a game in which the running back was the glamour position to one in which the quarterback is more often than not the feature of an offense. In fact, it’s hard to raise banners and rain down confetti without a dynamic player under center.
One of the metrics we like to look at each week in determining how quarterbacks are playing is ESPN’s Total QBR rating. This year, the Big Ten has some pretty special players under center. A veteran presence like Penn State’s Drew Allar is mixing it up with newcomers like Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Michigan’s Bryce Underwood, but how effective has each really been?
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There’s been some pretty lopsided games so far, so the pecking order of this is bound to change as we get into conference play, but here’s how all of the Big Ten quarterbacks rank when it comes to Total QBR after Week 3 of the college football season. As always, we go from worst to first.
No. 18 – Preston Stone, Northwestern
Aug 30, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Preston Stone (8) passes against Tulane Green Wave during the second half at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 15.4
Northwestern’s offense hasn’t been much to look at, and a lot of it starts at the quarterback position. Stone had a really good game in Week 2, but aside from that, he’s got a lot of growth to do.
No. 17 – Mark Gronowski, Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) looks to pass the ball against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 34.7
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We probably shouldn’t be surprised that an Iowa quarterback isn’t setting the world on fire. Death, taxes, and Iowa’s offense moving backwards are what we’ve grown accustomed to in recent years.
No. 16 – Drew Allar, Penn State
Sep 6, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) gestures at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter against the Florida International Panthers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 38.4
It’s a little — OK a lot — surprising to see Allar here. I would bet everything I have that he’ll be closer to the top in just a few short weeks as the coaching staff really starts to allow him to do more when the level of competition rises.
No. 15 – Danny O’Neill, Wisconsin
Aug 28, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Danny O’Neil (18) hands the football off to running back Darrion Dupree (6) during the fourth quarter against the Miami (OH) RedHawks at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 42.6
Ho-hum. So much for the air-raid offense Luke Fickell was supposed to bring to Madison. The quarterback play has been far from great, and that has continued so far this young season.
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No. 14 – Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) following the loss against the Utah Utes during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 51.6
Maybe Iamaleava should have stayed at Tennessee? The Bruins have looked like they aren’t very interested in playing tackle football so far this year, and aren’t getting what they thought they might under center. It’s amazing what having the right weapons around you can do.
No. 13 – Malik Washington, Maryland
Sep 5, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Malik Washington (7) in action against the Northern Illinois Huskies at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 52.1
Washington has a nice skill set, but has been too inconsistent early on in the season. If he continues to develop, then we might begin to see him vault up these rankings in the upcoming weeks.
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No. 12 – Ryan Browne, Purdue
Aug 30, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Ryan Browne (15) throws the ball over Ball State Cardinals linebacker Caden Johnson (6) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 55.3
Browne has been OK thus far in the season, but there are so many bigger fish to fry, and he’ll probably have a hard time remaining in this spot as we get further into Big Ten play. He just doesn’t have the best supporting cast, and that’s likely going to result in an uphill climb.
No. 11 – Drake Lindsey, Minnesota
Sep 13, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey (5) confers with tight end Jameson Geers (86) at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 59.9
Lindsey is doing almost exactly what you’d expect a P.J. Fleck quarterback to do, and that’s run the offense. With the ball control culture of the program under Fleck set, it’s going to be hard for a Minnesota quarterback to really light the world on fire.
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No. 10 – Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers
Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16), runs with the ball, Thursday, August 28, 2025.
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 75.7
This is where quarterbacks in the Big Ten make a significant jump, but Kaliakmanis went from one coach at Minnesota who is likely to win via root canal to another who will also have opposing teams sit in the dentist’s chair. He’ll never be a guy to sling it around and push the ball down the field, so — yeah, this is about right.
No. 9 – Bryce Underwood, Michigan
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) makes a pass against running back Justice Haynes (22) against New Mexico during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 75.7
There’s no doubt, when you turn the tape on, Underwood is physically gifted. He’s looked great aside from the game against Oklahoma. Expect more inconsistent play as the season goes on, but don’t be surprised if he’s really good once the end of the year rolls around.
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No. 8 – Luke Altmyer, Illinois
Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) takes a snap against the Western Illinois Leathernecks during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 76.2
Altmyer is one of the most seasoned quarterbacks in the league, and so far, he’s doing everything head coach Bret Bielema wants him to do. He’s taking care of the ball, running the offense, and making throws when he needs to, and that’s about what you can expect from him and Illinois this season.
No. 7 – Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) runs away from Ohio Bobcats defensive end Joseph Marsh (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025. Ohio State won 37-9.
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 77.2
Sayin has looked good, but a pedestrian game plan against Texas and a few more interceptions than anyone would like have him hanging around in this spot. With the weapons around him and the offensive scheme a favorable one for quarterbacks, look for the freshman to rise throughout the season.
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Aug 30, 2024; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) throws a first down in the first quarter against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 78.2
Last year, Chiles turned the ball over way too much. So far this year, it’s been much better, but we’ll see if that can continue once the Big Ten season gets into full swing. There’s no denying the physical attributes he has that you just can’t teach.
No. 5 – Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 79.5
One thing that head coach Curt Cignetti has brought to Indiana is an offense that can move the ball up and down the field. Mendoza is having a fantastic season so far, and you have to think that he’ll continue to thrive as the Hoosiers continue to trust him to make plays in the passing game.
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No. 4 – Demond Williams Jr., Washington
Aug 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) escapes a potential sack by Colorado State Rams linebacker Jacob Ellis (44) during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 81.0
Williams has been a very pleasant surprise in Seattle thus far. He’s had one whale of a nonconference season with his ability to make plays in multiple varieties, and now it’s time to test that out with the big boys of the league.
No. 3 – Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
Aug 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) passes against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the first quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 82.2
Many like to make fun of the Patrick Mahommes look-alike, but Raiola has game all on his own. He’s got a big arm and moxie, but he still has some growing to do, especially against the better teams in the league. We’ll see how he does against Michigan this week.
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No. 2 – Dante More, Oregon
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore dances to the song “Shout†during a timeout at Autzen.
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 85.7
Moore is going to be in the discussions for some pretty big awards if he keeps playing like he has so far in 2025. A dual threat, he fits into the Oregon offense nicely and should continue to put up big numbers, even with the start of conference play.
No. 1 – Jayden Maiava, USC
Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) talks with Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Inside the Numbers
Total QBR: 94.3
The Total QBR metric puts a premium on being efficient and not throwing interceptions, and Maiava has been better than anyone else in the Big Ten at that, playing in the Lincoln Riley offense. The completion percentage dipped a little against Purdue, so that bears watching as USC gets into conference play here.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Big Ten quarterbacks ranked by Total QBR after Week 3
