Ladies and gentlemen, we gather here today for our weekly meeting at the QB Power Rankings Town Hall with one item -- and one item only -- on our agenda: an apology to Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik.

I've been hard on Cade, and I don't just mean because I've rarely included him in these rankings over the last two seasons. No, I've been vocally critical of his overall play. I believed he was one of Clemson's bigger weak spots.

It didn't help to see D.J. Uiagalelei playing well for Oregon State last season while Klubnik was finishing 10th of 11 qualified ACC QBs in passing efficiency. Over everybody piled on Dabo Swinney for his refusal to use the transfer portal to supplement his roster. People mentioned how the Tigers needed to add wide receivers, or offensive linemen and host of other spots where they could've used some additional depth.

I would add that the Tigers could use a new QB, too.

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Then the season started, and Klubnik was a mess against Georgia. He turned the ball over, took too many sacks and missed too many throws. I made sure to say loudly at the time that I wouldn't judge Clemson too harshly because of the competition, but I didn't offer the same grace to Klubnik. My mind was already made up on that.

Ever since, Klubnik has repeatedly reminded me I should've offered him the same leeway. He's been phenomenal. In Clemson's last five games, he's tallied 21 touchdowns with only one interception. He's completing over 67% of his passes for 8.9 yards per attempt and has a passer efficiency rating of 177.8. That's a top-five kind of number. Even with the Georgia game included, Klubnik ranks 15th nationally with a rating of 164.92. His 21 total touchdowns rank fifth. He has looked every bit the five-star prospect he was coming out of Westlake High School in Austin, Texas and has the seventh-best betting odds to win the Heisman Trophy at +2000 according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

And I'm sorry I ever doubted him. It won't happen again. He's ranked this week, and he'll probably stay on the list most weeks from here on out. Before we get to those rankings, though, a reminder for everybody how it works.

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  • This is not a NFL Draft board ranking, nor is it based on any kind of statistical formula. Your numbers matter, sure, but overall, I'm ranking quarterbacks based on the "juice" they have at the current moment in time. It's a combination of how well you're playing, what you have accomplished and what you might accomplish in the near future. If you believe a QB I haven't listed should be listed, I only kept them off the list because I don't like you. Or, perhaps it's this second part. 
  • I don't rank any QB the week after a loss. You could be the greatest QB of all time, but if you lose on Saturday, you won't be here. I don't care if you think your offensive line stinks, OK? That's the burden the QB must carry. If you win, it's because your teammates did their jobs. If you lose, it's on you. Embrace it.
QB Power Rankings
1
Cam Ward Miami (FL) Hurricanes QB
For the first time this season we have the same No. 1 QB in consecutive weeks, and all it took was a bye week to get it done! Of course, it didn't hurt that the players in second and third place last week (Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart) both lost, making it more difficult for anybody else to surpass Cam as he sat at home chilling last week. (Last Week: 1)
2
Dillon Gabriel Oregon Ducks QB
It's not often we see a guy go from unranked to No. 2 in a week, but Dillon Gabriel earned it with the biggest performance of the weekend. He threw for 341 yards and rushed for 32 more with three total touchdowns to lead Oregon to a ginormous win over Ohio State. The numbers are excellent, but more than anything, Gabriel looked great. His throws were on time and accurate, and he even went to his right for deep shots, which isn't he's done much in the past. It was easily his best performance as a Duck, and it may have been his best game of the last few years. (Not Ranked)
3
Garrett Nussmeier LSU Tigers QB
I've said it plenty of times -- and it's still true -- Garrett Nussmeier has an incredible arm, but I wish he had a little less trust in it than he does. There was plenty of that on display Saturday night, as he threw two interceptions, but he also threw for three touchdowns and had 353 total yards against one of the best defenses in the country to lead LSU to a huge win. (4)
4
Cade Klubnik Clemson Tigers QB
I've already gotten the apology out of the way, so let's focus on Klubnik posting 339 total yards and three touchdowns in Clemson's 49-14 win over Wake Forest. I know Miami getting all the attention in the ACC right now with +160 sports betting odds to win the conferences according to Draftkings sportsbook, but Clemson is already 4-0 in conference play. With Klubnik playing like this, the Tigers might be the real team to beat in the ACC. (NR)
5
Bryson Daily Army West Point Black Knights QB
There are plenty of times I'll put a QB at No. 10 with no expectation that player will still be ranked next week -- let alone climb five spots -- but Bryson Daily is a deserved exception. There may not be a more dominant team in the country compared to their competition than Army, and Daily is the driving force behind it. He crushed UAB, and stiff-armed one defender six feet into the turf en route to one of his five touchdowns on the day. (10)
6
Quinn Ewers Texas Longhorns QB
Ewers looked a little rusty in his return Saturday, but it should be expected. He was also up against one of the best defenses in the country. He still played well overall, and while he'll have to work his way back up to the No. 1 spot, I'm not ranking him lower than sixth. (NR)
7
Jalen Milroe Alabama Crimson Tide QB
Milroe returns after Alabama (barely) got back in the win column against South Carolina. I do fear that the Tide are becoming a bit too reliant on their quarterback, and it's leading him to press at times. He threw two interceptions against the Gamecocks and took a lot of hits. Right now it's what they need to win games, but I worry that it could lead to bigger problems against better teams. You know, like Vanderbilt. (NR)
8
Riley Leonard Notre Dame Fighting Irish QB
Leonard and Notre Dame dominated Stanford in such thorough fashion that I hardly remember anything about the game. It looked like a scrimmage win for the most part, as Leonard finished with only 260 total yards. But he tallied total touchdowns while averaging 10.4 yards per attempt. That's his highest YPA in any game this season by far. The next best was his 7.1 against Louisville. (NR)
9
Carson Beck Georgia Bulldogs QB
While I won't blame Georgia fans for being a bit concerned after watching the Dawgs struggle a bit against Mississippi State, I can't hold Beck accountable for it. OK, I can hold him a little accountable because he threw two picks, but he made up for it by throwing for 459 yards and three touchdowns, too. (NR)
10
Luke Altmyer Illinois Fighting Illini QB
Illinois blew a 24-point lead to a dreadful Purdue team. But if not for Luke Altmyer, we'd be talking about a horrible loss instead of a dramatic win. He finished with 439 total yards and four touchdowns against the Boilermakers, and led the team on a game-tying field goal drive to force overtime in the final minute of regulation. He was clutch as could be when his team needed it -- we'll always honor that here. (NR)

Honorable Mention: Drew Allar, Penn State; Rocco Becht, Iowa State; Evan Bullock, Louisiana Tech; Jordan McCloud, Texas State; Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt