Ranking every Big Ten starting QB through five weeks based on PFF grade

Trent Knoop | Sep 30, 2024

Sep 28, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Alex Orji (10) drops back to pass in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

We are already fives weeks into the season and there might be a few early surprises within in the Big Ten. Curt Cignetti has Indiana rolling and the Hoosiers appear to have a high-powered offense. Illinois may have lost a close one to Penn State this past weekend, but the Illini are going to be a tough out for anyone this season with how well their defense is playing, along with quarterback Luke Altmyer.

Some surprises in a not-so-good way? The Michigan offense is anemic due to its passing game and offensive line. The Wolverines have zero threat of a pass attack and the Wolverines will have to win some sloppy games this season. As good as the Ohio State offense has been, transfer Will Howard has been so-so and it will be interesting to see how he does when facing a capable defense.

Using Pro Football Focus, we are going to rank all 18 Big Ten starting quarterbacks based on their passing grade.

18. Ethan Garbers (UCLA)

Sep 28, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) throws during the third quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 46.9

17. Alex Orji (Michigan)

Michigan quarterback Alex Orji looks to throw downfield during first-half action between Michigan and Minnesota at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. / Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 53.4

16. Braedyn Locke (Wisconsin)

Sep 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Braedyn Locke (18) throws the ball against the Southern California Trojans in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 59.4

15. Jack Lausch (Northwestern)

Sep 21, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) passes against the Washington Huskies during the fourth quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 59.7

14. Aidan Chiles (Michigan State)

Michigan State Spartans quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) warms up before the NCAA football game against Ohio State University at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. / Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 67.7

13. Cade McNamara (Iowa)

Sep 21, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara (12) throws the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 71.7

12. Will Howard (Ohio State)

Ohio State's Will Howard throws a pass against Michigan State during the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. / Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 73.8

11. Max Brosmer (Minnesota)

Sep 28, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer (16) drops back to pass in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 75.5

10. Luke Altmyer (Illinois)

Sep 28, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) drops back to throw during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Illinois 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images / Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 75.6

9. Athan Kaliakmanis (Rutgers)

Sep 21, 2024; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images / Peter Casey-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 78.9

8. Billy Edwards Jr. (Maryland)

Sep 28, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) throws a pass against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 80.0

7. Dyaln Raiola (Nebraska)

Sep 28, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) throws a pass under pressure from Purdue Boilermakers defensive lineman Jeffrey M'Ba (0) during the second quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 80.1

6. Hudson Card (Purdue)

Sep 28, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) throws a pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 81.9

5. Drew Allar (Penn State)

Sep 28, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) signals during the fourth quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Illinois 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images / Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 82.0

4. Will Rogers (Washington)

Sep 27, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Will Rogers (7) throws the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 83.8

3. Miller Moss (USC)

Sep 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) throws the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 84.9

2. Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)

Sep 28, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) scrambles during the third quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 89.7

1. Kurtis Rourke (Indiana)

Sep 28, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke (9) throws a pass against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

PFF passing grade: 89.9

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