Locker’s Luck Runs Out?

Forgive the pun in the title. It appears, though, that there has been a clear shift of the balance of power in terms of who is considered the best quarterbacking prospect in the nation in college football. We can write Case Keenum, the Houston quarterback, out of the discussion. Though Keenum looked good, he is now out for the season with a torn ACL. Coming into the year, it was thought by most that Jake Locker, the quarterback of the Washington Huskies was the clear and away number one. However, it is no longer the case, as he has been supplanted by Andrew Luck out of Stanford.

Locker faced an NFL-esque defense in the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and his team absolutely got demolished. No, he cannot be blamed for giving up 56 points. But a four of twenty for 76 yards and two interceptions? Ouch. And it’s not even that. Locker looked fairly pedestrian against Syracuse and BYU, per his usual standards. Locker does not rank in the top 40 in any major passing category. The Heisman is just about out of the discussion, and his draft status could be fading.

Who is not fading is the new riser, Stanford QB Andrew Luck. Luck has demonstrated anything but luck, just pure skill. He is clear and away the number one Heisman candidate, and the best pure prospect in America right now. He has 10 touchdowns and no interceptions on the year, including 4 against both Sacramento State and Wake Forest. Even more importantly, his team has routed, winning by scores of 52-17, 35-0 and 68-24. It has been Luck as the driving force, and he is now widely considered the top pick.

Locker still has time to redeem himself. However, it is going to be a tall order, and he is going need Luck to fade. I do not see it happening.