Has Oregon’s Marcus Mariota Cemented Status As Top QB?

Nov 22, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) readies to throw the ball before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Is Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota so good that it’s boring?

What other player in college football could put up the numbers that Mariota is on a weekly basis and not be the talk of the nation? I think the answer to the first question is ‘yes’ that Mariota is so good that he’s boring to people.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Mariota was kicking himself after a blowout win for throwing his first interception of the season — in the team’s eighth game of the year. He threw his second interception a week later, but truth be told, there haven’t been many bad things to talk about in regards to Mariota all year. Sure, he plays in an offense that is not necessarily the best translating to the next level, but we’ve seen the success that Chip Kelly has had with Philadelphia and the way a guy like Colin Kaepernick has played for the 49ers, enough to believe that Mariota will be a good NFL player.

I think at this point, it’s pretty clear that the Oregon junior has established himself not only as a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender yet again, but he’s put himself in the discussion for the top overall pick in this year’s draft as well as being entrenched as the top quarterback in all of college football.

Some might look to Florida State’s Jameis Winston, some might look at Michigan State’s Connor Cook, but you take a look at Mariota’s numbers over a three-year span as the starter with the Ducks.

Mariota is on his way to the best season of his very strong career. He needs just under 600 yards passing the duration of this season to set a personal mark in that category,  and he’s also on pace to set career marks in completion percentage, touchdowns, least interceptions, QBR, and yards per attempt. Oh by the way, did you know Mariota also has 10 rushing touchdowns?

He’s such a complete player at the quarterback position, with effortless arm strength and great intelligence and leadership ability on the field. He’s the type of guy that I would want as my franchise quarterback, so some team at the top of next year’s draft is going to be getting a really talented young man with the ability to change the fortunes of their franchise.