*Stats through 11/14

Taking a break from the power five, there are some damn good players that go to smaller schools too. It would be curious to see what these guys would do at a major program, but it’s no mistake that four of these five field generals will be playing in their conference championships this weekend.

5. Marcus McMaryion, Fresno State (1.30 WAR)

Playing for Jeff Tedford, Fresno State has taken off this year. His 299 yards against New Mexico and 296 against Nevada were both pretty good games, but his lack of turnovers is what props him up. Outside of the Hawaii game, McMaryion only threw one interception all year. Fresno has a great chance against Boise State this weekend.

4. Mason Fine, North Texas (1.35 WAR)

Mason Fine has been the best QB in the CUSA this year, oh yeah, and he’s only a sophomore. After playing ten games and throwing for 1572 yards and a 6-5 TD-INT ratio last year, Fine has been amazing in a revamped Mean Green offense. Under the tutelage of former Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell, North Texas has become an air raid team all of the sudden. It seems to have worked as this year the sophomore threw for 3393 yards, 27 TDs, and 11 interceptions. From a 5-8 season to a CUSA championship, Fine has been key.

3. Bryant Shirreffs, UCONN (1.55 WAR)

While playing for the worst team on this list, Bryant Shirreffs has been the lone bright spot for the Huskies this season. Maybe the numbers come from trailing in games a lot, but Shirreffs has throw for 350+ yards three times this year and hasn’t thrown multiple interceptions in any game this year. His best game of the year came in a 22-28 performance in which he threw for 408 yards and two touchdowns, despite the loss. While UCONN stinks, Shirreffs does not.

2. Brett Rypien, Boise State (2.17 WAR)

Boise State is pretty good, sound familiar? While ahead of Shirreffs by a good amount, Rypien was just edged out for first in the group of five. He has had a bit rough season it feels like, but it has still been a good season for the returning starter. He was quite impressive by throwing for 331 yards and 4 touchdowns against Colorado State  this November, which was his best game of the year, leading them to a 59-52 epic comeback win.

1. Logan Woodside, Toledo (2.25 WAR)

Big time player in a big time conference. Okay, maybe not, but #MACtion is the best. Woodside was the undisputed best quarterback in the MAC coming into the season, if not the group of five, and his numbers this season have backed that up. It stinks that Woodside is a senior because I would watch a lot more Toledo games in the future if he played every single game. Woodside will show he’s the best passer in the G5 by roasting Akron this weekend in the MAC Championship.