Athlon’s Group of 5 QBs to watch in 2018 list features several scheduled to play SEC opponents
Published:
What’s the No. 1 ingredient for a Group of 5 team to go on the road and win while playing in an SEC stadium? Having a fearless and talented quarterback would be a great place to start which should put a few of the league’s teams on notice heading into the season.
Athlon Sports recently rated five Group of 5 quarterbacks to watch heading into the 2018 season and interestingly enough, four of them are scheduled to go on the road and play SEC opponents in the coming season.
Here are the names that were featured on Athlon’s list:
North Texas QBÂ Mason Fine
Arkansas hosts North Texas Week 3 of the season on Sept. 15. During his sophomore season in 2017, Fine put up 4,052 passing yards and had 31 touchdown passes. While those numbers are good, he did throw 15 interceptions and completed just over 63 percent of his passes. Considering the Razorbacks’ issues defending the pass in recent seasons, this could be a matchup to watch early in the season.
UMass QBÂ Andrew Ford
Georgia hosts UMass Week 12 of the season on Nov. 17. Ford was very efficient last season, throwing for 2,924 yards and had a 22 to 4 touchdown to interception ratio. While the Dawgs may have the advantage at nearly every position group, if the new-look secondary hasn’t solved its issues come November, Ford could at the very least put up some numbers against Georgia’s defense.
Nevada QBÂ Ty Gangi
Vanderbilt hosts Nevada Week 2 of the season on Sept. 8. Gangi also put up some impressive numbers last season, throwing for 2,746 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2017. He did toss 11 interceptions and completed only 61 percent of his passes, however.
Arkansas State QBÂ Justice Hansen
Alabama hosts Arkansas State Week 2 on Sept. 8. Much like in recent seasons, the Crimson Tide have scheduled a very underrated Group of 5 program to come into Tuscaloosa to test Nick Saban’s squad. Hansen could serve as another big test for the revamped Alabama secondary as the senior quarterback passed for 3,967 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2017. While he did throw 16 interceptions, he also added 415 rushing yards and another seven scores on the ground.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
