2015 CFB QBs: Week 10 Report Cards

**Bleacher Report’s Mid-Season QB Grades: A Snapshot of 2015 College Football’s Elite After Week 10**

**November 10, 2015** — As the 2015 college football season barreled towards its dramatic conclusion, Bleacher Report’s Scott Polacek provided a crucial mid-season assessment, publishing his detailed report cards for the nation’s top 20 quarterbacks after Week 10. The rankings offered a fascinating snapshot of the players shaping the playoff race and emerging as future stars, based on their performances through early November.

Ohio State’s **J.T. Barrett** found himself near the top of the list, earning a solid B+ grade. The Buckeyes’ signal-caller had just delivered a strong outing against Minnesota, completing 14 of 21 passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 69 yards and another score on the ground. Despite throwing one interception in that matchup, Barrett’s overall efficiency and leadership kept Ohio State firmly in national championship contention.

Holding down the number two spot was TCU’s **Trevone Boykin**, also with a B+ grade. Boykin was in the midst of a spectacular senior campaign, having accumulated 2,920 passing yards and 29 touchdowns against just five interceptions. However, his performance against Oklahoma State earlier in the season highlighted his high-risk, high-reward style, where he threw for 445 yards and five touchdowns but also four interceptions in a thrilling contest.

Baylor’s **Seth Russell** was a major standout, commanding an A- grade for his exceptional play. Before his season was tragically cut short by a neck injury around this time, Russell had amassed an impressive 2,104 yards and 29 touchdowns. His injury was a significant blow to Baylor’s playoff aspirations and a somber note in an otherwise dominant individual performance.

The A- tier also included two other future NFL talents. Clemson’s **Deshaun Watson** was recognized for his phenomenal dual-threat capabilities, having thrown for 2,593 yards and 23 touchdowns, complemented by 599 rushing yards and five scores. Watson was a driving force behind an undefeated Clemson team. Michigan State’s **Connor Cook** also earned an A-, lauded for his consistent, high-level play that kept the Spartans in contention for the Big Ten title and a potential playoff berth.

Rounding out the list of prominent B+ grades were Mississippi State’s **Dak Prescott** and Oklahoma’s **Baker Mayfield**, both delivering strong statistical seasons that elevated their respective programs. Stanford’s **Kevin Hogan** also received a B+, guiding the Cardinal through a successful Pac-12 campaign.

The report’s scope was broad, reaching down to players like LSU’s **Brandon Harris**, who received a C+ after completing 11 of 21 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown in a tough contest against Alabama. Other quarterbacks like Bowling Green’s **Matt Johnson** and Memphis’s **Paxton Lynch** also saw their individual performances reviewed right in the thick of the 2015 college football season.

This mid-season snapshot, published on November 10, 2015, captured a pivotal moment in college football, highlighting the talent that was shaping that season’s narrative. It’s a fascinating look back at players who would not only define that era of college football but, for many, go on to launch significant professional careers in the NFL.