CBS Sports shakes up Top 10 QB Power Rankings ahead of Conference Championship Games

Rivalry week is when you can move the needle. Making special plays will have you remembered forever at certain schools. While the College Football Playoff landscape may not have moved too much, a few quarterbacks changed their legacy on Saturday.

CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli released his updated top 10 QB Power Rankings on Wednesday, and there’s been some movement inside the top five.

More likely than not, the Heisman Trophy winner will come from this list. No. 1 and No. 2 are thought to be in a two-horse race heading into the weekend, with one having a final opportunity to shine on the national level.

1. Jayden Daniels, LSU

Of the quarterbacks ranked inside the top five, Daniels is the only one not playing during conference championship weekend. Instead, LSU will pass the time by working on the Heisman Trophy campaign they have going in Baton Rouge.

Daniels wrapped up his 2023 season with another incredible display against Texas A&M. LSU will be hoping he has the opportunity to win some hardware in New York City.

2. Bo Nix, Oregon

Maybe this finally is the year for Nix. He certainly has had a lot of fun, leading Oregon to an 11-1 season and a shot at the College Football Playoff. He has impressed everyone, specifically Boo Corrigan, with his consistency, completing nearly 79% of his throws thus far.

One final game remains, looking to get revenge on the program’s arch-rival in the Pac-12 Championship game. Nix will have to keep his calendar clear for the following weekend, with an invite to the Heisman Trophy ceremony coming his way.

3. Jalen Milroe, Alabama

I mean, nobody was expecting the 4th and 31 play to work for Alabama. A near miracle in the Iron Bowl, Milroe’s throw against Auburn will be a historic play they remember for a long, long time.

Milroe can now add to his legacy during Saturday’s SEC Championship. Putting Alabama in a position to compete for a national championship is all you could have asked following the loss to Texas.

4. Carson Beck, Georgia

Questions surrounded Beck heading into the season, with people wondering if he would be an adequate replacement for Stetson Bennett. He has delivered on the expectations and has Georgia primed to win a third consecutive national championship.

Like Milroe, the SEC Championship game is one where you are judged on. If Beck can maintain his high-level play in Atlanta, he might finish higher than No. 4 on the final list.

5. Michael Penix, Washington

Early in the year, Washington was able to draw comparisons to 2019 LSU for the offensive talent they had on display. While those have cooled down, Penix has still been one of the best in college football this season.

His counterpart in Las Vegas is a bit higher at No. 2, but Washington will feel comfortable with their guy heading into the game. Another great performance from Penix and the Huskies are heading to the College Football Playoff with a 13-0 record.

6. Noah Fifita, Arizona

Fifita did not fully take over for Arizona until the fifth game of the season against Washington. Jeff Fisch‘s team has been completely different since, winning their final six games of the regular season.

In the win streak, Fifita has thrown 15 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He has been incredibly accurate as well, only dipping under the 70% mark this season twice. Everyone at Arizona hopes this is just the beginning.

7. Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma

Gabriel cemented himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country in the winning effort against Texas and has not looked back. His potential final game as an Oklahoma player was a special one too, receiving a standing ovation from the home crowd in Norman.

There is a chance Gabriel plays in the bowl game the Sooners are picked for. Putting a bow on what was a great bounceback year for the program would be fitting.

8. Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland

Maryland may have not had the best season as a team but Tagovailoa is certainly going to be in the Big Ten record books moving forward. For the time being, he will have the single-season completion percentage record at 67.1

Tagovailoa also led the Big Ten this year in yards and touchdowns. A dominant season for somebody that has a history of family success in college football.

9. Jordan McCloud, James Madison

Due to other teams failing to reach six wins, James Madison is going to be bowl-eligible. McCloud will now have the opportunity to showcase himself on a bigger stage to cap off what has been a great season for the Dukes.

Five touchdowns this week against Coastal Carolina was a career-high for McCloud. Based on these power rankings, he has been the best Group of Five quarterback this season.

10. Levi Williams, Utah State

Williams has a bit of a different story than the other nine quarterbacks. Before Saturday, Williams had just 13 pass attempts on the season but was needed against New Mexico, leading the Aggies to a win and gaining bowl eligibility.

Now, he is skipping his final season to train with the Navy Seals. CBS Sports said the move meant Williams had to be included in the top 10 no matter what.

Conference championship weekend is one of the best on the calendar, with hopes and dreams being fulfilled and destroyed. More times than not, a quarterback finds a way to play the hero role, with some great candidates out there.