Big Ten Fantasy QB Rankings

1. Curtis Painter, Purdue (SR)
Head coach Joe Tiller’s spread offense has put up some gaudy numbers in the past and 2008 should be no different. Painter enters his final campaign with nearly 9,000 yards passing and 54 touchdown passes. However, he has also thrown 35 interceptions. Painter should finally top the 4,000 yard mark and should continue to improve his touchdown to interception ratio. Replacing tight end Dustin Keller and receiver Dorien Bryant will also be paramount to Boiler success in ‘08.

2. Kellen Lewis, Indiana (JR)
Losing James Hardy will hurt — a lot. Of Lewis’ 42 career touchdown passes, 26 landed in Mr. Hardy’s arms. The production is undeniable, however. Those 42 scores accompanied by an additional 14 rushing touchdowns make Lewis’ first two seasons of play one of the best starts to a fantasy career in Big Ten history. It is reasonable to expect a small decline in production but if Indiana can find some weapons on the outside, Lewis will still be a dynamic fantasy threat from quarterback position. 

3. Adam Weber, Minnesota (SO)
Weber came out of nowhere in 2007 to have one of the top fantasy years in the Big Ten. Look for the second-year starter to find favorite target Eric Decker early and often in 2008. The nation’s worst defense from last season will certainly afford Weber the opportunity to put the ball in the air another 500-plus times. The sophomore also added 617 yards rushing and five scores on the ground as he proved to be a dual-threat weapon for the Gophers. He will need to perform at the same level in 2008 as very talented back-up MarQueis Gray stands waiting for his chance to crack the depth chart.

Isiah ‘Juice’ Williams did a wonderful job of improving his accuracy from 39 percent his freshman year to 58 percent last season. With the loss of power runner — and fantasy stud — Rashard Mendenhall, Williams will need to continue his growth and maturity if he expects to be a top fantasy option. His raw talent and ability to make plays, not only through the air but also on the ground, makes him an intriguing sleeper options in the mid-rounds. Of course, having future first-round pick Regis Benn around to catch passes doesn’t hurt either.

5. C.J. Bacher, Northwestern (SR)
Consistency is the name of the game for Bacher. The first-year starter looked like a fantasy superstar at times – 990 yards, nine touchdowns and zero interceptions in back-to-back wins over Michigan State and Minnesota – and at others looked like a huge dud – 777 yards, zero touchdowns and seven interceptions in consecutive losses to Duke, Ohio State and Michigan. A nice returning corps of skill position players should push Bacher closer to the star than the dud in 2008. Just make sure to have the Rolaids handy.

6. Todd Boeckman, Ohio State (SR)
Boeckman is the polar opposite of Bacher. Fantasy players know exactly what they are getting with the Buckeye quarterback. In all but two games last season Boeckman threw more than one touchdown pass. Only twice in that span, however, did he ever throw more two touchdown passes. Needless to say, he is a model of consistency. A solid offensive line and top flight supporting cast should allow Boeckman to realize his potential: 225 yards and two touchdowns every single week.

7. Brian Hoyer, Michigan State (SR)
In his first season as a starter, Hoyer posted a solid overall year. The senior quarterback threw 20 touchdown passes, while adding 2,725 yards through the air. The Spartans will continue to build their offensive attack around the rushing game, which is led by senior Javon Ringer. However, Hoyer will still see plenty of chances to throw – but will be without top receiver Devin Thomas, who decided to move onto the NFL a year early.

8. Jake Christensen, Iowa (SR)
After an injury-riddled year for the Hawkeye offense, Christensen finally saw some success as the ’07 season came to a close. He finished the season with a 17:6 touchdown to interception ratio and three straight games with a quarterback rating of 113 or higher. With the return of underrated pass catchers Andy Brodell and Tony Moeaki, Christensen should have plenty of targets come fall.

9. Steven Threet, Michigan (FR)
Threet is a high-risk, high-reward fantasy player. There is no telling how he will fit in the Rich Rodriguez offense so the potential for him to lose his job is high. However, he is a very talented player and RichRod has a tendency for putting his players in the best situation for success. Although there are no super star skill position players, Big Blue has plenty of athletic options and Threet could end up as the fantasy surprise of 2008 in the Big Ten. Or, Justin Feagin could be starting by the time the Wolverines head to Eugene, Oregon.

10. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State (FR)
Barring an injury to Todd Boeckman, Pryor will play in a limited role in 2008. However, his skills will be very apparent when he does see the field. Look for Jim Tressel to use Pryor in much the same way that Tim Tebow was as a freshman (358 yards passing, five touchdowns, one interception, 469 yards rushing, eight touchdowns). As a spot starter or injury fill-in, Pryor could pleasantly surprise. And show a glimpse of who could be the breakout fantasy player in 2009.

11.Daryll Clark, Penn State (SR)
12.Allan Evridge, Wisconsin (SR)
13.Eddie McGee, Illinois (SO)
14.Pat Devlin, Penn State (SO)
15.Dustin Sherer, Wisconsin (JR)
16.Curt Phillips, Wisconsin (FR)
17.MarQueis Gray, Minnesota (FR)
18.Justin Feagin, Michigan (FR)
19.Ben Chappell, Indiana (SO)
20.Nick Foles, Michigan State (FR)