By Ty Scheiner
After a chaotic Week 6, we have several big matchups in Week 7 that carry potential conference and playoff implications. With that in mind, I’m spotlighting three quarterbacks this week who need to deliver standout performances to solidify their teams’ legitimacy in the new College Football Playoff picture.
Back in the Saddle: Ewers Returns Just in Time for the Red River Showdown
After missing the last two games with an abdominal injury, it looks like Quinn Ewers will be back under center this week for the Red River Rivalry. Coming in fresh after multiple weeks off, and jumping straight into a rivalry game against Oklahoma, it’ll be interesting to see how Ewers performs. He’s played in this game before, so I’m not worried about the atmosphere affecting him.
However, I am curious about how Ewers will look after the time off, especially going up against a solid Sooners defense. Oklahoma is averaging over three sacks per game and can apply pressure, but I trust the Longhorns’ offensive line to keep Ewers protected. Last year, Ewers struggled with turnovers early on, so I’ll be watching his decision-making and ball security as Texas looks to reclaim victory in this rivalry.
Gabriel’s Gauntlet: Can He Pass Ohio State’s Ultimate Test?
I’ll be watching Dillon Gabriel closely as he faces arguably his biggest challenge of the season against Ohio State. The Buckeyes boast one of the best defenses in the country, allowing just 129.8 passing yards per game (ranked 3rd nationally), while the Ducks’ offense averages 272.8 yards through the air. Gabriel has experience in big games, and playing at home will be an advantage, but this Ohio State defense is on a different level than what he’s faced so far. It’ll be fascinating to see how he handles the pressure.
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Taking Flight: Can Dart Soar Against LSU’s Porous Pass Defense?
Jaxson Dart and the Rebels will be aiming to exploit LSU’s vulnerable pass defense, which has been shaky this season. Coming off tough matchups against stout SEC defenses like Kentucky and South Carolina, Dart will have an opportunity to attack an LSU secondary that’s giving up 258 passing yards per game. Ole Miss boasts a passing efficiency rating of 186, the sixth-best in the country.
That said, Dart’s last performance against South Carolina saw him complete just 51% of his passes, so he’ll need to improve his accuracy in this game. His deep ball hasn’t quite clicked this season, but if he can connect on some explosive plays, the Rebels should find success against LSU’s defense.
