Why SEC QB rankings surprise college football fans | Oklahoma Sooners Rated Wrong?

Why SEC QB Rankings Surprise College Football Fans: The Oklahoma Sooners Rated Wrong?

College football fans are no strangers to controversy when it comes to rankings. Every season, various debates arise around which teams are deserving of top spots and which players should be rated highly. One area that continually sparks surprise and outrage is quarterback rankings, especially when it involves the Southeastern Conference (SEC) — a league known for its rich history of producing elite signal-callers. This season, the rankings have not only sparked surprise but also frustration among fans, especially those who follow Oklahoma football, a team with significant aspirations of returning to its former glory in the new era of the Big 12 and SEC.

Oklahoma Sooners fans, in particular, are grappling with the unexpected ranking of their quarterback in the broader SEC context. While many acknowledge that the SEC is home to some of the most prolific quarterbacks in the country, the ranking of Oklahoma’s QB, Dillon Gabriel, has left many questioning whether the Sooners have been fairly assessed as they prepare to transition into the SEC.

This article aims to explore the factors contributing to the surprise rankings of SEC quarterbacks and why Oklahoma fans, in particular, feel their quarterback has been rated unfairly.

The SEC’s History of Quarterback Excellence

To understand the surprise surrounding SEC QB rankings, it’s essential to first look at the conference’s longstanding tradition of producing elite quarterbacks. Over the years, the SEC has been home to some of the most accomplished quarterbacks in college football history. From Peyton Manning at Tennessee to Joe Burrow at LSU, the league has seen its fair share of Heisman Trophy winners, National Championship quarterbacks, and future NFL stars.

When ranking quarterbacks in the SEC, several criteria are typically taken into account:

1. Statistical Performance: The most straightforward way of evaluating a quarterback is by looking at their stats — passing yards, touchdowns, interceptions, completion percentage, and efficiency ratings.
2. Success in Big Games: SEC quarterbacks are often judged by their performances in high-stakes games. Whether it’s winning division titles, securing bowl game victories, or competing in the SEC Championship, a QB’s ability to perform in clutch situations plays a huge role in their ranking.
3. Pro Potential: The NFL is always watching SEC quarterbacks closely. As a result, professional scouts tend to hold SEC quarterbacks to a higher standard, knowing that these players are likely to be drafted highly based on their track records.
4. Play Style and Scheme Fit: The SEC is known for a variety of offensive schemes, and some quarterbacks may excel in one system but struggle in another. Dual-threat quarterbacks, for instance, have become particularly prominent in the SEC in recent years.

Given the competition in the SEC, it’s not surprising that quarterbacks like Bryce Young (Alabama), Stetson Bennett (Georgia), and Will Levis (Kentucky) have received significant praise and high rankings. However, it’s the rankings of quarterbacks from other schools that have caused confusion this season, especially when it comes to players like Dillon Gabriel at Oklahoma.

Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel: A Misunderstood QB?

Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel has been an incredibly productive quarterback since transferring from UCF. He led the Knights to significant success, including an undefeated season in 2017, and quickly made a name for himself with his efficient passing and ability to stretch the field. However, his transition to Oklahoma has been met with a degree of skepticism, particularly given the high expectations surrounding his move to a power conference like the SEC.

When Gabriel committed to Oklahoma, many fans were expecting him to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Oklahoma has a rich history of prolific quarterbacks, from Sam Bradford to Baker Mayfield to Kyler Murray. The Sooners are synonymous with elite quarterback play, and Gabriel seemed poised to carry that tradition forward.

However, the ranking of Gabriel, both in terms of the Big 12 and in comparison to SEC quarterbacks, has been somewhat perplexing. Many of the preseason rankings have placed him lower than expected, and fans believe that his performance, particularly in the 2023 season, has not been adequately reflected in these lists. Several factors could explain why Gabriel’s ranking has been so inconsistent and why Oklahoma fans feel the ranking is wrong:

1. The SEC Hype Machine: As the Sooners prepare for their transition into the SEC, there’s been an overwhelming focus on teams and quarterbacks who are already entrenched in the conference. While the SEC has undeniably produced some of the most accomplished QBs in the country, the recent dominance of Alabama and Georgia quarterbacks, in particular, seems to overshadow the recognition of out-of-conference players like Gabriel.
2. Big 12 vs. SEC Debate: Some college football analysts and fans still view the Big 12 as a “weaker” conference when it comes to defensive play. While the Big 12 is known for its high-scoring offenses, some argue that the defensive prowess of the SEC offers a tougher challenge, leading to the assumption that quarterbacks from the Big 12 are often overrated in comparison to their SEC counterparts. Gabriel, despite his solid play, has been compared to SEC quarterbacks in an unfair light — as though he has not yet faced the same level of defense.
3. Quarterback Overload in the SEC: The SEC is stacked with talented quarterbacks, making it difficult for any one player to stand out as the clear best. Quarterbacks like Young, Bennett, and Levis have gained considerable recognition, but the sheer depth of talent in the conference means that players from other schools like Florida or Tennessee often get overlooked.
4. Oklahoma’s Offensive System: Oklahoma’s offensive system, under head coach Brent Venables, is evolving and does not necessarily match the traditional high-flying, pass-heavy offenses of the past. This shift has impacted how Gabriel is perceived. Though he is still highly efficient, there’s a feeling that Oklahoma’s offense doesn’t always showcase him as much as other quarterbacks in the SEC are being showcased in their respective systems.

The Problem with Rankings: Subjectivity and Bias

Ultimately, the surprise over Gabriel’s ranking can be traced back to the inherent subjectivity and biases that exist in college football rankings. There are often hidden biases about what conferences are seen as more competitive and which quarterbacks are given the benefit of the doubt based on their conference affiliation or previous success.

Despite this, Gabriel has shown time and time again that he is capable of competing at a high level, even in a more competitive environment like the SEC. His performance on the field speaks for itself, and fans are right to question why he hasn’t been given the recognition he deserves in national quarterback rankings.

As Oklahoma prepares for its move to the SEC, it’s possible that Gabriel’s ranking will improve as the season progresses and more eyes turn to his performances in high-profile SEC games. For now, however, the discrepancy between the rankings and reality serves as a reminder of how difficult it can be to properly assess quarterbacks in the ever-changing landscape of college football.

Why Oklahoma Fans Are Upset

For Oklahoma fans, this misranking goes beyond just numbers or stats. The Sooners have prided themselves on producing elite quarterbacks, and the sense of loyalty and pride that fans feel for their team’s signal-caller is intense. Seeing Gabriel ranked lower than expected is frustrating because it diminishes the years of work and preparation he has put in.

Moreover, as the Sooners prepare to join the SEC, it feels like an added insult to have their quarterback overlooked in favor of quarterbacks from teams that haven’t yet faced the challenge of adjusting to a new conference. The SEC’s dominance in recent years may make it hard to break into the top rankings, but Oklahoma fans feel that their team’s transition should be recognized, and their quarterback’s ability to compete at the highest level should not be discounted.