“Out for the season” has caused devastation in multiple college football programs. Four top college football programs have seen those words alongside the names of their star quarterbacks. With their quarterbacks out, they now must rely on their backups. Their goals of playing in the playoffs and winning a national championship have just dimmed.
Though, the main question is whose seasons are over and who will make the playoffs and claw their way to a national championship.
Kamario Taylor
Mississippi State started the season off on a high note that nobody expected. Their four-win start is heavily credited to sophomore standout QB Kamario Taylor. A dual-threat quarterback, he was a threat in the air and on the ground. The backup quarterback, Parker Puckett, a true freshman, hasn’t put up numbers close to what Taylor did. While the Bulldogs might not have made the playoffs, their star player is out for the season with a turf toe injury requiring surgery. It’s an injury that may never fully go away.
Photo Cred: Fox Sports
Julian Sayin
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is highly doubtful for the rest of the season and will likely miss the playoffs with his shoulder injury. Sayin has the third-highest QBR in the country and leaves the season at 6-1. The season now falls into the hands of freshman quarterback Luke Fahey, whose experience is minimal compared to the rest of the QB room. However, Ohio State has multiple other weapons on its offense, including one of the best wide receivers in college football. Their remaining schedule possesses one ranked opponent as of Week 8. Their playoff dreams remain hopeful, and they will likely make it far, possibly to the national championship.
Photo Cred: Fox Sports
Dante Moore
After a brutal hit earlier in the season from USC, Dante Moore is officially out for the season. The hit from USC linebacker Desman Stephens II left Moore seizing on the field. He will have to decide whether to return to college football or enter the NFL draft at the end of the season. In four games, Moore threw for 926 yards, nine touchdowns, and a completion rate of 69.7%. Had Moore played against UCLA and Illinois, the Ducks may have come out with the win. However, it seems their playoff hopes left with Moore. Raiola has performed well in the games he’s played, throwing for 761 yards in five games. Raiola can utilize the rest of the season to showcase his skills.
Photo Cred: Oregon
Nico Iamaleava
The biggest surprise of the season has been the UCLA Bruins, who have turned around from their 3-9 season last year. One of the key leaders is Nico Iamaleava, a transfer from Tennessee. After a less impressive season to start his time at UCLA, he appeared to have turned his game around, leading UCLA to an undefeated season. However, his knee injury will keep him out for the remainder of his senior year.
The backup QB, Ty Dieffenbach, played the last two games for the Bruins. They won both games by at least two scores. In two full games and part of one game, he’s thrown the ball for just over 500 yards. With Iamaleava out for the season, their schedule doesn’t feature many tough opponents. If Dieffenbach continues to play well, UCLA may continue to be playoff hopefuls.
