You know football season is getting close when the magazines and websites come out with lists of the best teams and players. By the way, USF's opening game against FIU is 57 days away, but who's counting?
Anyway, On3.com released its list of the top 10 quarterbacks in the 70 Group of 6 teams.
USF's Michael Van Buren, Jr. came in at No. 7.
"We'll preface this by saying Michael Van Buren first has to win the job over former Florida State and Mississippi State quarterback Luke Kromenhoek. But Van Buren has more experience, having attempted 407 career passes compared to 93 for Kromenhoek," analyst Wilson Alexander wrote.
"Van Buren has made 12 starts, all in the SEC, over two seasons. He showed flashes while completing 57.5% of his throws for 2,896 yards and 19 touchdowns with nine interceptions on two bad offenses. He can also run a little bit. The former four-star recruit needs to continue to develop, but he has upside for."
Two other quarterbacks that USF will face this season in American Conference games were also on the list.
Owen McCown of UTSA was ranked No. 3 while Caden Veltkamp came in 10th,
"McCown enters his redshirt senior season as one of the most experienced and productive quarterbacks in the G6. He has 6,419 yards passing, 55 touchdowns and 17 interceptions as a starter over the past two years," Alexander wrote.
"Last season, McCown and (Drew) Mestemaker were the only G6 quarterbacks who threw at least 30 touchdowns. McCown improved his efficiency in his second year as a starter while leading a top 15 scoring offense."
Veltkamp runs the Owls' go-go offense that is constantly in attack mode.
"(Veltkamp) threw the ball constantly last season. He attempted 515 passes for, the most in the FBS, and he completed 67% of them. Veltkamp threw for 3,641 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also scored four times on the ground.," Alexander wrote.
"Veltkamp has now gone for more than 3,000 yards passing and 24 touchdowns passing in two straight seasons as a starter. The problem is he turns the ball over too much. Veltkamp has 27 interceptions over the past two years. He has to cut down on the picks."
Meanwhile, Phil Steele came out with his team rankings, going from No. 1 (Notre Dame) to No. 138 (Sacramento State).
He's not very bullish on USF.
Steele ranks the Bulls 82nd overall, behind American rivals UTSA (50), Navy (69), Florida Atlantic (72), Tulane (78), Army (79), and Tulsa (81).
He's no doubt basing that on the complete overhaul at USF. A new staff and nearly a completely new roster makes it hard to measure just how good the Bulls will be.
But behind Tulsa? Seriously?
Well, everybody has an opinion.
This article was originally published on www.greengoldandbold.com as Preseason rankings focus high expectations for USF quarterback, less so for the team .
