Technically, there’s no free agency in college football.  When it comes to quarterback transfers, however, recruiting pitches can sound a lot like what the pros hear when they visit various suitors. While there’s no “Decision” specials with Jim Gray, quarterback transfers are closely followed and, in the case of grad transfers, immediately impact a team’s chances of contending for a conference title or even national championship that coming fall.

Former Notre Dame QB Malik Zaire was the most recent quarterback to transfer into the SEC. On paper, he’s joining a team about as good as his former squad. ESPN’s Football Power Index ranks Notre Dame No. 20 and Florida No. 15. A more traditional poll, Athlon Sports, ranked the Gators No. 16 and the Fighting Irish No. 20.

Zaire is far from the only transfer who could potentially face his former team in the postseason. When we consider the rankings and the revenge x-factor, which team would come out on top in a bowl-game reunion?

First, let’s get some no-brainers out of the way:

  • Danny Etling (LSU) vs. Purdue – Two words: Matt Canada. Two more words: Derrius Guice.
  • Blake Barnett (Arizona State) vs. Alabama – The Sun Devils are No. 40 FPI. There are upsets, but there’s no reason to see Alabama losing to ASU.
  • Cooper Bateman (Utah) vs. Alabama – The Utes did the unthinkable once, but this doesn’t look to be one of those Utah teams which plays in a New Year’s Six bowl (No. 49 FPI). It was also reported that Bateman would play wide receiver for the Utes.

Kenny Hill (TCU) vs. Texas A&M
Athlon Sports preseason ranking: TCU No. 32, Texas A&M No. 37
ESPN FPI: TCU No. 18, Texas A&M No. 27

Who wins?: Texas A&M’s 2014 Week 1 win over South Carolina and the birth of “Kenny Trill” feels like it was forever ago. A meeting with the Horned Frogs – in the Texas Bowl perhaps? – would make for an intriguing postseason showdown. TCU has the better squad in the eyes of the media and ESPN’s FPI, and the Hill revenge x-factor is certainly in its favor. Kevin Sumlin should have some insight into scheming against Hill, but there’s too much in TCU’s favor to expect an Aggies win in this hypothetical.

Kyle Allen (Houston) vs. Texas A&M
Athlon: Houston No. 59, Texas A&M No. 37
FPI: Houston No. 60, Texas A&M No. 27

Who wins?: Another intriguing in-state clash would be Allen and the Cougars facing the Aggies in postseason. Tom Herman is now in Austin, but Major Applewhite, his successor, would certainly be motivated for a bowl win over an SEC program and the chance to defeat his former on-field rival from his days as Texas’ quarterback. On paper, Texas A&M looks like the better squad by a notable margin in the rankings. The Allen and Applewhite x-factors could bring this into toss-up territory, but John Chavis should be able to come up with a scheme to contain the Cougars.

Kyler Murray (Oklahoma) vs. Texas A&M
Athlon: OU No. 8, Texas A&M No. 37
FPI: OU No. 3, Texas A&M No. 27

Who wins?: Oklahoma would be favored heavily if Baker Mayfield, a likely Heisman candidate, were its starting signal-caller in this hypothetical. With Murray getting to face his old team for the premise of this article, things become much more even. By all accounts, Murray stole the show in OU’s spring game, showing off his arm on a 70-yard touchdown pass and “rushing for a boatload of yards,” according to ESPN’s Jake Trotter.

While his season in College Station did not go as planned, it’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t be the starting quarterback if he were still on Sumlin’s squad. If the former Big 12 rivals meet, I think Murray guides the Sooners to a close victory.

Will Grier (West Virginia) vs. Florida
Athlon: WVU No. 26, UF No. 16
FPI: WVU No. 50, UF No. 15

Who wins?: As the above ranking shows, one’s opinion of West Virginia comes down to one’s opinion of Grier. The FPI doesn’t rank WVU very high as there’s limited stats on Grier (six games from the 2015 season). Athlon ranked the Mountaineers much higher than the FPI because they see Grier doing well in Dana Holgorsen’s wide-open offense. A high-powered offense like Holgorsen’s is one of the least desired draws for a Florida defense replacing eight starters, including three in the secondary. West Virginia, however, has some replacing to do of its own, with the departure its top two wideouts from 2016.

In Week 1, Grier would probably get the best of the Gators. In December or January, however, Florida’s defense should be improved, with some of its freshman talent at defensive back starting to develop, and better suited to take on WVU. It would be close, but the Gators should be able to win a bowl game against the Mountaineers by having the better defense.

Jarrett Stidham (Auburn) vs. Baylor
Athlon: Baylor No. 47, AU No. 9
FPI: Baylor No. 28, AU No. 5

Who wins?: The Bears have been in the national championship picture in recent years, but 2017 is looking more like a rebuilding year in Waco. Baylor fans likely wish Stidham was still on campus. The transfer’s impressive showing in Auburn’s spring game has many predicting the Tigers will challenge Alabama in the SEC West. Stidham seems to have found the ideal situation, playing for offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey (a hire made after the transfer) and a talented receiving corps with multiple former 4-star recruits. Even if Baylor puts up some points, Auburn would be able to put up more.

Brandon Harris (North Carolina) vs. LSU
Athlon: UNC No. 42, LSU No. 11
FPI: UNC No. 35, LSU No. 6

Who wins?: After Harris was benched in favor of Etling, it was not surprising to see him transfer after graduating to use his final year of eligibility. Harris and LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda are obviously familiar with each other. Considering Harris’ tendency to make mistakes, one reasons Aranda would have the upper-hand in this scheme vs. skills matchup.

Larry Fedora has coached North Carolina to some big wins during his time in Chapel Hill, such as last year’s upset at FSU, but LSU should be better than the Tar Heels on both sides of the ball in 2017.

Malik Zaire (Florida) vs. Notre Dame
Athlon: UF No. 16, ND No. 20
FPI: UF No. 15, ND No. 20

Who wins?: On paper, this is the closest potential matchup of a grad transfer facing his old team. Despite a 4-8 record last season, Notre Dame is projected to be a top-20 team. Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly brought on new offensive and defensive coordinators this offseason, so Zaire wouldn’t have much insight into facing his former team.

By the rankings, this game’s a toss-up. With Zaire, there’s a revenge x-factor favoring Florida. Depending on the records, it’s no guarantee that Kelly is still ND’s coach at this point.