re: '17 Etling - Top QB & Rating SEC

The Etling hate is a head scratcher. Think about what this guy has been through. He transfers from Purdue to compete with Brandon Harris, who has all of the advantages of incumbency. Yet he gets his shot and does fairly well. Close to 60% completion, better than 2 to 1 TD to int ratio and nearly 8 yards per pass. Yes, he SUCKED v Bama. Name me the QBs who performed well v Bama that didn't get invited to the Heisman ceremony the past four years.

But at the same time, don't discount that experience. He has probably watched that Bama game a dozen times and realizes the mistakes he made. If he improves 5% on his completion percentage and takes one less sack every two games; if he realizes he doesn't have to take on the safety or linebacker unnecessarily in a vain attempt at an extra yard or two; and if he draws on experience and remains just a little calmer in the pocket in the Bama game, he very well could have a season like Mauck 03, Flynn 07 and close to Mett 13. That may not get us to the playoffs but it's 9 or 10 wins.