Week 6 of the 2024 college football season will forever be known as "The Great Culling" here in the QB Power Rankings. There's a simple rule here: If you lose, you won't be ranked here before you win again.
We saw three of our top five quarterbacks in last week's rankings lose, including No. 1 Jalen Milroe. So, yes, as has been the case every week of the season, we have a new No. 1 in our rankings. However, the new No. 1 isn't new to being No. 1. No, it's a QB who has come incredibly close to a loss in the last two weeks but has managed to pull his team back from the brink both times.
There's a lot of value in that these days! Before we get to the rankings, though, we need a full explanation of how it all works.
- This is not a 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
|
| We came perilously close to four of our top five quarterbacks falling this week, but Ward was able to lead the Hurricanes back from a 25-point, second-half deficit to beat Cal long after most of America had gone to bed assuming the Canes were cooked. Ward is a rollercoaster. He will make poor decisions when pressured, but he'll also make spectacular plays few others are capable of making. You just have to hope all the good outweighs the bad, and so far, Miami's hopes have been answered. (Last Week: 2) | |
| 2 | 
Shedeur Sanders
Colorado Buffaloes QB
|
| Shedeur took last week off, and any team that took Week 6 off probably made the right decision. This weekend will provide Sanders and the Buffs the chance to make a significant statement as they're hosting a Kansas State team many consider to be one of the best in the Big 12. A win here would solidify Colorado's status as a contender in the conference. (3) | |
| 3 | 
Jaxson Dart
Ole Miss Rebels QB
|
| I had to remove Dart last week after the Rebels lost to Kentucky, but he's back this week following an easy win over South Carolina. Ole Miss took its foot off the gas in the second half, and Dart didn't throw for a touchdown, even if he had 329 yards passing. Still, I'm putting him back at No. 3 both due to the absolute carnage everywhere else and for his overall performance on the season. (Not Ranked) | |
| 4 | 
Garrett Nussmeier
LSU Tigers QB
|
| Another team that had enough sense to take the weekend off, Nussmeier and the Tigers will return to action this week against Ole Miss in another QB Power Rankings Elimination Game. A loss will also severely hinder the playoff hopes of the loser. I'll let the teams decide which is more important to them, but whatever the case, Nuss versus Dart will be a fun battle. (6) | |
| 5 | 
Diego Pavia
Vanderbilt Commodores QB
|
| WE TURNT! This is not Diego Pavia's first appearance in the QB Power Rankings this season; he was ranked following Vanderbilt's upset win over Virginia Tech to start the year. He returns after leading the Commodores to one of the most surprising upsets in recent years as Vanderbilt beat Alabama. And it wasn't fluky! Vanderbilt outplayed the Tide! Pavia finished with 308 total yards and two touchdowns, and time and time again he made plays to extend drives. He also avoided mistakes as Vandy executed its game plan to perfection. (NR) | |
| 6 | 
Will Howard
Ohio State Buckeyes QB
|
| Ohio State fans have been yelling at me for not ranking Howard most of the season, but you weren't playing anybody. Now that the Buckeyes have blown out two Big Ten opponents, and Howard's played well in both games, he's ranked, all right? Would he have been here if I hadn't had to replace three guys who lost? Who knows? We're not here to debate hypotheticals! (NR) | |
| 7 | 
Eli Holstein
Pittsburgh Panthers QB
|
| Hell hath no fury like a Pitt fan scorned. I dropped Eli from the rankings last week, but I didn't do it because of his performance. I only did it because Pitt had the week off, and I wanted to highlight the performances of a few others. Well, Pitt fans, let me know about it. Please leave me alone now. He's ranked again after going off for 457 total yards and four touchdowns in a win over North Carolina. (NR) | |
| 8 | 
Kurtis Rourke
Indiana Hoosiers QB
|
| Rourke has been one of the biggest hits out of the transfer portal this season, as he's blended in seamlessly to Curt Cignetti's Indiana program. The Hoosiers are off to a 6-0 start to the season while smacking teams around, and Rourke's been a big part of it. He threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns in Indiana's 41-24 win over Northwestern. (NR) | |
| 9 | 
Conner Weigman
Texas A&M Aggies QB
|
| What happened to Conner Weigman while he was away? The guy we saw against Missouri on Saturday didn't look anything at all like the player we saw struggle in A&M's season-opening loss to Notre Dame. Weigman didn't account for a touchdown against Mizzou, but he finished with 309 total yards as the Aggies tore the Tigers apart. (NR) | |
| 10 | 
Bryson Daily
Army West Point Black Knights QB
|
| Army has not trailed for a snap this season. The Knights have also scored a touchdown on their opening possession in every game they've played, which has helped the cause. Daily is the primary reason this team is so effective. He hasn't been the passer that his counterpart at Navy, Blake Horvath, has been, but good luck trying to tackle him. Daily threw for 140 and rushed for 110 with four total touchdowns as Army smashed Tulsa 49-7. Army has now scored at least 24 points in every game while never allowing more than 14. (NR) | |
Honorable Mention: Rocco Becht, Iowa State; Carson Beck, Georgia; Braylon Braxton, Marshall; Cade Klubnik, Clemson; Will Rogers, Washington
