Rivals QB Week: College football's top 25 signal callers

The college football season is upon us and with Rivals QB Week wrapping up here is a look at the top 25 quarterbacks in college football and what could be ahead for them this season.

MORE: Rivals.com QB Week | Ranking the Big Ten QBs | SEC | ACC | Pac-12 | Big 12

Watson is arguably the most valuable player in college football, the skill positions at Clemson are loaded and he could be on his way to the Heisman Trophy. A national championship isn’t out of the question, either, after the Tigers made the title game last season.

Mayfield plays with skill and confidence and that’s made him one of the best – and most dangerous – quarterbacks in college football. Watch out for Houston in Week 1, but the Sooners’ offense should roll with Mayfield in charge.

The Buckeyes had an odd quarterback rotation last season but now Barrett is the guy to run Ohio State’s offense, and he should be more than ready. Two warm-ups before the Sept. 17 showdown at Oklahoma should get Barrett ready and raring to go.

Ward and Watson were the only quarterbacks last season to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards, and there’s no sign Houston’s offense will slow down. Some transfers at running back and wide receiver should give Ward all the playmakers he needs to be special.

MORE HOUSTON: CougarsDen.com

Laquon Treadwell is gone but Ole Miss still has a stable of talented receivers for Kelly, who has resurrected his football career in Oxford by winning in big moments and playing fearlessly against top competition. Florida State in the opener is his next massive test.

Rosen has all the talent in the world and could easily become one of the top NFL Draft picks in two years. First, he needs to cut down his turnovers and keep progressing with the Bruins, who don’t have an easy one opening at Texas A&M.

Kaaya is in the discussion as possibly being the first quarterback taken in next year’s NFL Draft because he’s been so good in his first two seasons. Miami cleaned house and brought in former Georgia coach Mark Richt this offseason. Will it hurt or help Kaaya?

Mahomes has the ability to be one of college football’s biggest star quarterbacks this season, especially since Texas Tech throws so often and the Red Raiders have tons of talent at the skill positions. Tech might not win the Big 12, but it won’t be because the offense wasn’t scoring points.

Who knows what this season will hold for Baylor after its offseason debacle, but Russell is back from a neck injury and he’s one of the best quarterbacks in college football. That offense runs itself and Russell is so talented he can make all the throws to put points on the board.

Falk had a roundabout journey to where he finds himself as one of college football’s most prolific passers, but here he is leading one of the game’s top offenses. The Cougars are loaded at the skill positions so it could be time again to light up the scoreboard in Pullman.

There are huge expectations at Tennessee this season and if anybody is grounded and disciplined enough to handle that it’s Dobbs, who is a constant threat in the pass and run game. Coming off a poor performance in the opener he could slide down this list quickly however.

Jackson is one of the most dynamic runners in all of college football and that’s where he’s the most dangerous, almost unstoppable at times. He needs to throw the ball more accurately, and if that comes together this season the Cardinals’ offense could be something special.

Notre Dame is going to play two quarterbacks at least early in the season and while neither is thrilled about the proposition it’s what coach Brian Kelly thinks is best. Both are so talented and so good running the show in South Bend, how could the Irish go wrong?

Rudolph has all the tools from a strong arm to great offensive play-calling to excellent receivers to have a special season in Stillwater. Running the football should be a focus, too, and that might open up the pass game even more.

No one knew what Washington’s offense would look like last season starting freshmen at quarterback and running back (Myles Gaskin), but it worked out really well. This season should be even better for Browning, a year of seasoning behind him and speedy receivers all over the field.

Beathard makes plays when Iowa needs them and that’s one aspect of his game that is so special. His moxie and playmaking ability was a big reason why the Hawkeyes made it to the Rose Bowl – and why they might be back this season.

Hill had an amazing start to his career at Texas A&M but then fell out of favor and is back at TCU to resurrect things. The Horned Frogs lost a lot at receiver but brought in a ton as well so playmakers shouldn’t be hard to find.

Peterman loses two of his top skill guys but he’s too skilled to not find others who can step up and replace Tyler Boyd and others. Pitt might run the ball more than last season but Peterman can deliver it when needed.

There is a lot of hype on Trubisky entering the season and rightfully so. He waited his turn and now the Tar Heels are loaded at the skill positions, Trubisky is ready to run the offense, which will be tested early against Georgia in Week 1.

Maybe no quarterback will be tested in Week 1 like Browne, the former five-star QB who has sat behind Cody Kessler at USC. The Trojans open up against national champion Alabama at Jerry’s World in Dallas. It’s a big test but a chance for Browne to prove he belongs higher on this list, too.

Rypien had a fantastic freshman season where he threw for more than 300 yards per game. This season might even be better because his skill players return and he’s even more comfortable in the offense. That Sept. 10 game against Washington State should be a shootout.

Alabama has not settled on a starter yet as of this writing but both are talented players who bring something special to the field. Either way, Bateman or Barnett are going to be surrounded by future pros and the Crimson Tide have a defense that should force a lot of three-and-outs.

Mullens helped lead a revolution of the Southern Miss offense last season that shot up the charts to average nearly 40 points per game. Some coaches and receivers are gone, but Mullens still has a long list of playmakers to get the ball to and some marquee SEC road games to show off his skills.

MORE SOUTHERN MISS: BigGoldNation.com

Armstrong is a threat in the passing game with more than 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns last season and he rushed for a team-high seven scores. He has the talent around him for the Huskers to score a lot. But he needs to cut down on 16 interceptions to make a run at the Big Ten West.

Webb threw for 441 yards and four touchdowns in Cal’s season opener against Hawaii. The Texas Tech transfer has that kind of skill, but the Golden Bears will undoubtedly face tougher tests as the season moves on starting next week against San Diego State and then versus Texas.