Ben Kenney
June 2, 2024 6:55 am CT
We are kicking off the month of June here at Badgers Wire looking ahead to each aspect of the opponents on Wisconsin’s 2024 football schedule. Today that focus is on the opposing quarterbacks.
The new era of the Big Ten sees a new group of signal-callers on the schedule — a much tougher group than Wisconsin used to see. The conference added members USC,UCLA,OregonandWashington. All four programs are known for exceptional offense and strong quarterback play. In short, the quarterbacks are better than what the Big Ten West would traditionally present.
Related:Anonymous Big Ten coaches weigh in on Wisconsin football in 2024
Wisconsin is hoping to reach that top group itself. The program landed Miami transfer QB Tyler Van Dyke this offseason with the hope that he can give the team a dynamic under center it hasn’t had for a decade. Expectations are that things will click with Van Dyke under center noww entering year two of Phil Longo’s offense.
Forecasts entering the season have the Badger starter in the top half of the Big Ten, but not near the top group. Wisconsin plays some of those top quarterbacks during the regular season, giving Van Dyke a chance to find head-to-head success.
Here is a ranking of every quarterback on Wisconsin’s 2024 Big Ten schedule, including some of the conference’s best:
(Plus our ranking of the head coaches and defenses)
10
Honorable Mention: Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) is tackled by Michigan Wolverines defensive back Rod Moore (9) during overtime in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 13 games, 187 of 284 passing, 65.8% completion, 2,834 yards, 10.0 yards per attempt, 23 touchdowns, six interceptions, 161 carries, 531 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns
Milroe started slow in 2023 but his undeniable improvement and surge into the College Football Playoff have many projected him as one of the best quarterbacks in the country entering 2024.
He doesn’t play for a Big Ten opponent, so he isn’t technically in the ranking. I’d project him at No. 2 or No. 3 if it included the entire schedule.
Get more (Alabama) news, analysis, and opinions onRoll Tide Wire
9
Sep 9, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) carries the ball against the University of Texas El Paso Miners at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: 10 games, 2 of 3 passing, 10 yards, 3.3 yards per attempt, zero touchdowns, zero interceptions, 19 carries, 80 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
Big Ten Ranking: No. 18
Lausch or 2022 starter Ryan Hilinski will start for the Wildcats in 2024. Neither are good options, and both are a likely downgrade from Brendan Sullivan — who transferred during the spring window.
Wisconsin faces a tough lineup of QBs this season. Northwestern’s will not be one of them.
8
Athan Kaliakmanis (Rutgers)
Piscataway, NJ — April 27, 2024 — Coach Greg Schiano and quarterback, Athan Kaliakmanis during Rutgers annual spring football game at SHI Stadium. Credit: Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats (at Minnesota): 12 games, 156 of 294 passing, 1,838 yards, 6.3 yards per attempt, 14 touchdowns, nine interceptions, 74 carries, 94 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns
Big Ten Ranking: No. 16
Kaliakmanis has had some success against the Badgers in his career. But his move to Rutgers was more Minnesota trying to find an upgrade. Kaliakmanis can throw an RPO with the best of them, but can’t do much else.
Wisconsin has the book on the Rutgers starter and shouldn’t have much trouble defending him.
Get more (Rutgers) news, analysis, and opinions onRutgers Wire
7
Cade McNamara (Iowa)
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes assistant head coach Brian Ferentz and quarterback Cade McNamara (12) look on during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: Five games, 46 of 90 passing, 505 yards, 5.6 yards per attempt, four touchdowns, three interceptions
Big Ten Ranking: No. 15
It’s hard to predict what Cade McNamara will be in 2024 after missing most of 2023 with a leg injury. He has shown CFP form, but at Michigan where the supporting cast is terrific. Iowa’s offense will likely struggle again in its first year under Tim Lester.
Get more (Iowa) news, analysis, and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire
6
Hudson Card (Purdue)
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 22: Hudson Card #1 of the Purdue Boilermakers throws the ball during the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 22, 2023 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
2023 Stats: 11 games, 215 of 365 passing, 2,387 yards, 6.5 yards per attempt, 15 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 93 carries, 203 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns
Big Ten Ranking: No. 10
I’m high on Card entering his second season as Purdue’s starter. He’s dynamic with his arm and legs, and should improve upon most of his 2023 numbers. This is the segment of the ranking where it turns from sub-par QBs to real threats.
5
Max Brosmer (Minnesota)New Hampshire Transfer QB Max Brosmer commits to Minnesota pic.twitter.com/EnaZdQcsTv
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) December 4, 2023
2023 Stats (at New Hampshire): 291 of 455 passing, 3,459 yards, 7.6 yards per attempt, 19 touchdowns, six interceptions
Big Ten Ranking: No. 9
Minnesota found a potential upgrade in Brosmer, who led the FCS in passing yards in 2023. The question is how his game translates, but I’d bet on it being better than Kaliakmanis’.
4
Dylan Raiola (Nebraska)
Jan 3, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers football assistant coach Donovan Raiola (left), Dylan Raiola (center) and athletic director Trev Alberts sit courtside before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Dylan is the top quarterback recruit in the 2024 class. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: N/A (true freshman)
Big Ten Ranking: No. 6
This is a pure potential play. Raiola was the class of 2024’s No. 7 overall player and No. 2 quarterback. If he hits, he can be the conference’s best quarterback in 2024.
I think his talent, supporting cast and good coaching will lead to immediate results.
Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis, and opinions onCornhuskers Wire
3
Drew Allar (Penn State)
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar drops back to pass during the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in State College. The White team defeated the Blue team, 27-0. Credit: Dan Rainville-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats: 13 games, 233 of 389 passing, 2,631 yards, 6.8 yards per attempt, 25 touchdowns, two interceptions, 74 carries, 206 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns
Big Ten Ranking: No. 4
Allar hasn’t quite reached expectations after joining Penn State as a five-star recruit a few years ago. His current level is good enough for a high spot on this ranking. But he has the potential to easily clear No. 1.
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis, and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire
2
Miller Moss (USC)
Dec 27, 2023; San Diego, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) throws the ball to wide receiver Tahj Washington (16) in the second half against the Louisville Cardinals in the Holiday Bowl at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Stats: Five games, 46 of 65 passing, 681 yards, 10.5 yards per attempt, seven touchdowns, one interception, four carries, 32 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns
Big Ten Ranking: No. 2
Moss is considered with the knowledge that Lincoln Riley quarterbacks always put up a ton of yards and points. The young quarterback was stellar in limited action in 2023 and should explode onto the scene in 2024.
Get more (USC) news, analysis, and opinions onTrojans Wire
1
Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws during warmups ahead of the Oregon Ducks’ Spring Game Saturday, April 27. 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. Credit: Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Stats (at Oklahoma):12 games, 266 of 384 passing, 3,660 yards, 10.4 yards per attempt, 30 touchdowns, six interceptions, 93 carries, 373 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns
Big Ten Ranking: No. 2
Dillon Gabriel is the most accomplished of any quarterback in the Big Ten, let alone just on Wisconsin’s schedule. He was fantastic at Oklahoma in 2023 and now enters an offense perfectly tailored to his skillset.
Oregon will be the best team Wisconsin faces this season and Gabriel is a big reason why.
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis, and opinions onDucks Wire
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