Ranking the Big Ten’s starting quarterbacks heading into 2022

4. Payton Thorne-Michigan State

Hmm. I wonder if Payton Thorne will have as good of a season this year without Kenneth Walker opening up Michigan State’s entire offense last year?

Thorne had a very solid season for Michigan State last year passing for 3,240 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions during the 2021 campaign. Michigan State does get Jayden Reed back, so that is one receiver for Thorne to throw to.

Michigan State brought in two transfer running backs in the offseason, but I don’t foresee a scenario where either come close to the production of Walker, so I expect Thorne will have to carry a bigger load this year, which could possibly increase his turnover rate, but the talent and production are definitely there, which is why he is #4 on this list.

I hope he drops way down this list by season’s end though, because, well, you know…

3. Cade McNamara/J.J. McCarthy

Cade and J.J. carried Michigan football through to the promised land in the 2021-22 season, and they aren’t going anywhere, so I expect more of the same from them this year. Cade McNamara, threw for 2,576 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions last year.

He is very good at taking care of the football, and he only started accruing more picks towards the end of last season because he wanted to be bold and take more chances. It bit him, but I expect him to solidify the position again this year.

As far as J.J., I expect him to push for a lot more snaps this year, and show his five-star ability, making Michigan’s two QB platoon system one of the best in the country. There is a realistic chance that this is Michigan’s best offense of the Harbaugh era. 

Michigan is all set at QB no matter who ends up taking the majority of the snaps this year.