*Stats through November 12th
10. Ben Dinucci, Pittsburgh (0.29 WAR)
He may not have gotten the start against Miami, but Dinucci was fine this year. Being just above replacement level in his first year as a starter is just fine. He’s not great, and I don’t think that surprises anyone.
9. Eric Dungey, Syracuse (0.36 WAR)
Dungey has proven himself as one of the pretty good quarterbacks in the conference. Obviously his best game of the season came when he threw for 278 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no picks in the upset over Clemson. However, he was hurt by going 13/41 with 137 yards and four picks the next week against Miami.
8. Kurt Benkert, Virginia (0.78 WAR)
Virginia had a great season this year, at least by their standards. There were ups and downs, but they were almost able to beat Miami and they did go in and get a win on the smurf turf at Boise State. A large reason that Virginia was that good this year was Kurt Benkert. That game against Boise State was his best of the year, going 19-29 with 273 yards and three touchdowns.
7. Max Browne, Pittsburgh (0.91 WAR)
Browne may not have started more than five games this year, but he’s still higher than Dinucci, the actual starter. Don’t get too excited though, because his numbers are propped up by his 28-32, 410 yards, 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions against Rice. That was an impressive game, but that’s about the only thing the USC transfer did that was impressive this year.
6. Chazz Suratt, North Carolina (1.30 WAR)
Now Chazz Surratt is not the most efficient passer in the world, this is known. However, he’s nothing if not efficient. His three interceptions on the year prop him up, as did his 12-14 performance against Louisville.
5. Josh Jackson, Virginia Tech (1.34 WAR)
In his first year as a starter after replacing Jerod Evans, Jackson was a pretty impressive quarterback. As a freshman, Jackson led this Hokie offense to nine wins. His 22-33 performance with 322 yards against a solid Boston College defense was his best of the year. Virginia Tech should be going in the right direction under Jackson’s leadership.
4. Lamar Jackson, Louisville (1.40 WAR)
Fourth in the conference may seem low for Jackson, but keep in mind that he’s still in the top 15 in the country and this doesn’t even count his running ability. The amount that Lamar Jackson has improved as a passer since last year is astonishing. Jackson threw for 299 yards or more seven times in their first nine games of the year. If running ability was counted in this metric, Jackson would certainly be #1 in the conference.
3. Ryan Finley, NC State (1.52 WAR)
Finley was one of the most efficient passers in the country this year. He did not throw an interception until the 7th game of the season against Notre Dame before faltering a bit down the stretch, but his strong start props him up here. Finley threw for 300+ yards four times in the first nine games of the year, with two of those coming in their first two games.
2. John Wolford, Wake Forest (1.74 WAR)
Wolford was a bit of a revelation for Wake Forest this year. The Demon Deacon quarterback has finally broken through after a few years as an average starter to have a very good year this year. Wolford is super efficient and had a 17-3 TD-INT ratio through his eighth game of the year.
1. Kelly Bryant, Clemson (1.80 WAR)
Kelly Bryant being this high was surprising to me, but Clemson is the best at everything in the ACC so it probably shouldn’t be. Through a combination of short passes and the occasional bomb down field, Bryant has landed himself in this spot despite not having eye-opening stats. My doubt about Clemson this year was the quarterback position, which Bryant seems to have proved wrong. With a win this weekend, Clemson will waltz into the playoffs and Bryant should be fine.
