We're detailing the biggest throws on a weekly basis, giving extra attention to huge throws that quarterbacks make
all around the country.
We start by looking at the pass plays with the most Expected Points Added, and then taking into account difficulty
and distance of throw, game situation, and opponent.
Here are the five biggest throws from Week 6 in college football, plus what we liked about them from one of CBS Sports/247Sports' top quarterback experts, Clint Brewster, who does a weekly ranking of the top 20 QBs in the game.
Tyler Shough (Louisville): 86-yard TD pass to Ja'Corey Brooks
Louisville was trailing at home to SMU late in the third quarter, and facing third-and-6 inside its own 20-yard line.
Tyler Shough took the snap and faced pressure quickly, but avoided it and moved the pocket. He threw downfield on the run, hitting Ja'Corey Brooks around midfield.
86 YARDS 🔥@tylershough2 finds @c7_brooks AGAIN!
— Louisville Football (@LouisvilleFB) October 5, 2024
📺 @espn #GoCards pic.twitter.com/dEnXJS33ov
Brooks had to fight off a defender, but got free and took it to the house to tie the game, which Louisville eventually lost, 34-27.
That play was worth +8.4 EPA, the highest-EPA throw in the country this week, and the highest of Shough's seven-
year career (714 attempts). Shough began his career at Oregon, redshirting in 2018 as Justin Herbert's backup. He also played at Texas Tech.
"Shough is an elite distance thrower and has seen quite the resurgence in his game this year," Brewster said. "This play also shows that he can escape the pocket and make plays outside of structure. He's looking to strike when he drops back to pass!"
Jalen Milroe (Alabama): 58-yard TD pass to Ryan Williams
No. 1 Alabama was trailing late in the third quarter at Vanderbilt, a team they hadn't lost to since 1984. The Tide were facing third-and-7 on their side of the field, when Jalen Milroe dropped back and looked for freshman Ryan Williams going deep.
👀👀👀👀@Ryanwms1
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) October 5, 2024
📺: SEC Network pic.twitter.com/Vq9ZHy92Rf
Milroe put it in a great spot with some zip on it, allowing Williams to do the rest and make it a two-point game.
"Everyone knows how lethal Jalen Milroe is passing the ball downfield and he does a great job here giving his receiver a chance to make a play on the ball and stay in bounds," Brewster said. "He puts it in a pinpoint location when Alabama absolutely had to have a big play. He also saw safety rotation late and went to the correct place with the ball."
This play was worth +6.5 EPA, the second-highest EPA throw by Milroe this season. Of course, No. 1 Alabama lost to Vanderbilt 40-35.
Aidan Chiles (Michigan State): 44-yard completion to Nick Marsh
The Spartans were looking to pull an upset on a Friday night and Autzen Stadium, and this huge fourth-down throw put them in a great position to take an early lead.
On fourth-and-2 at Oregon's 46-yard line, Aidan Chiles faked the handoff, set his feet and ripped one about 40 yards downfield that Nick Marsh hauled in and took to the 2-yard line.
Loaded it up and slung it! 🚀 WHAT A THROW! WHAT A CATCH! @MSU_Football pic.twitter.com/zC32cUuR5N
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 5, 2024
"Chiles does a great job selling the fake here and laying up a very catchable ball up to his receiver on this play," Brewster said. "Chiles has one of the most explosive arms in college football and has completed 10 throws of 20-plus yards this year as a redshirt freshman."
Michigan State turned it over on the next play, but this huge conversion was worth +6.5 EPA. That's the second- highest EPA throw by Chiles this season. Chiles, the No. 2 transfer QB in the class of 2024, has appeared on this list a few times now. He must cut down on turnovers, but the Spartans clearly have something special.
Joey Aguilar (Appalachian State): 27-yard TD pass to Dalton Stroman
App State was on the road at Marshall, trailing by two scores with the fourth quarter rapidly approaching. They were moving the ball and appeared to pick up a first down on fourth-and-9, but a holding penalty made it fourth-and-19 from the Marshall 27-yard line.
The offense stayed on the field and Joey Aguilar wasted no time looking for Dalton Stroman in the end zone. He threw a perfect pass, where only his guy could get it, and Stroman hauled it in to make it a one-score game.
That play was worth +5.7 EPA, and it's the longest fourth down a team has faced all year and thrown a TD pass. The Mountaineers lost 52-37.
Brady Cook (Missouri): 59-yard TD pass to Theo Wease Jr.
Missouri had a tough time on the road against Texas A&M on Saturday, falling behind 34-0 in an eventual 34-10 loss to the Aggies. But Brady Cook and Theo Wease Jr. gave the Tiger faithful a reason to cheer in the third quarter.
With Mizzou facing third-and-7 on its own 41-yard line, and needing a spark, Cook dropped back and surveyed things before breaking the pocket. On the run he threw a beautiful ball almost 50 yards downfield, hitting Wease in stride to get Missouri on the board.
That play was worth +6.6 EPA, the highest-EPA throw by any SEC quarterback last weekend.