2012 NCAA Football Predictions: Top 5 Quarterbacks

2012 NCAA Football Predictions: Top 5 Quarterbacks:When it comes to notoriety in football at any level, there is no position on the field quite like quarterback. QBs are counted on to be the team leader, and they get a lot of the credit when the team wins and take a majority of the blame when the team losses. Fair or not, there are perks that come with being under center, especially at the college level. Five of the last six Heisman Trophy winners have been QBs, including two straight. Not to mention that 10 of the last 12 No. 1 picks in the NFL draft have been quarterbacks. With that in mind, here is a look at the top collegiate QBs heading into the upcoming NCAAF season.

2012 NCAA Football Predictions: Top 5 Quarterbacks

1.      Matt Barkley, USC Trojans

Everything is in place for the Heisman frontrunner to have a monster season. He is coming of a year when he completed 69.1 percent of his passes and threw for 39 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, and he will have two of the top receivers in the country to throw to in Robert Woods and Marqise Lee. Barkley has the size, arm strength and command of the game that has already put him in contention for being the top pick in next year’s NFL Draft. Even if he just repeats his performance last year, he could lead the Trojans to a national title. If he improves, a 40-plus touchdown year could be on tap with the firepower he has at his disposal.

2.      Denard Robinson, Michigan Wolverines

Robinson is an inconsistent passer that threw 15 interceptions last year, and he is also the most dynamic player in college football. Anytime the ball is in his hands, Robinson could produce a touchdown with either his arm or his legs. He is a lock to top 1,000 yards on the ground, and another year of experience in Brady Hoke’s offense should only help his passing numbers. Robinson’s playmaking ability led the Wolverines to a BCS bowl last year, and he is the main reason Michigan is considered a national title contender this season. Robinson himself could produce enough big plays to win the Heisman Trophy.

3.      Aaron Murray, Georgia Bulldogs

The junior is entering his third year as starter, and Murray has made big strides between his freshman and sophomore year. He should be even better this year, and he will likely become the Bulldogs’ all-time leader in touchdown passes midway through the season. Murray has helped resurrect the Georgia program, leading them to the SEC Championship Game last year. He has more than held his own against the tough SEC defenses despite being sacked 32 times. Assuming the Bulldogs can protect their QB a bit better, Murray will likely respond with more touchdowns and fewer turnovers. Aside from Barkley, he is the best NFL prospect at the QB position in the country.

4.      Tyler Wilson, Arkansas Razorbacks

Wilson will be facing a lot of adversity not of his making heading into this season. Bobby Petrino is out as coach following the bizarre circumstances surrounding his motorcycle wreck, and his high-powered offensive system will be missed by Wilson especially. Still, he proved himself to be an efficient and effective passer against some of the top defenses in the country, throwing 24 touchdowns to just six interceptions. Granted, he didn’t exactly shine against Alabama or LSU, but what QB did? Wilson carved up every other secondary he faced, and his smart decision making will allow him to succeed in whatever offensive system he ends up in.

5.      Geno Smith, West Virginia Mountaineers

Leaving the Big East for the Big 12 may hurt West Virginia as a whole, but Smith’s number shouldn’t suffer. The conference has been giving up a ton of yardage through the air for years, and last season, three of the top-six passers in the country played in the Big 12. Smith actually finished fourth in the country a year ago with 4,385 yards, and he added 31 touchdowns to just seven picks. Smith’s top two targets Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin are back in the mix this year, and the trio should all put up monster totals. Smith and company will likely be involved in plenty of shootouts this season, and the West Virginia QB will look great on the stat sheet, even if the Mountaineers don’t look so good in the win/loss column.

Stop by NSAwins.com daily throughout the NCAA Football season for daily Hesiman Trophy Odds and Vegas College Football Lines plus daily updated BCS National Championship Futures Odds and 2012 College Bowl Game Odds. Also be sure to get Free 2012 College Football Picks weekly from the nation’s top College Football handicappers only on NSAwins.com!