NCAAF Stock Watch: Week 2 College Football Risers And Fallers

Week 2 was a fun week of college football, highlighted by a Texas Long Horns road upset over the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Saturday slate kicked off with another Deion Sanders victory, rode into the afternoon with another nail-biting CyHawk rivalry, and closed out with a close Oregon win over Texas Tech, the Texas upset, and a Washington State win over ranked Wisconsin.

In this brand-new segment, we will be walking through risers and fallers each week throughout the college football landscape. Anything relating to college football from players to coaches to teams and more will be covered in RotoBaller’s Stock Watch.

Who helped their stock the most in Week 2? Who’s plummeting after poor performances? Let’s dive in.

Stock Up

Quarterback play in college football might be at an all-time high this season. It comes at an opportune time, as many NFL teams are sitting on bridge quarterbacks and will turn to the next few classes in search of a franchise guy.

The following four quarterbacks are trending up after Week 2:

Dante Moore, QB, UCLA

Dante Moore was the number four overall recruit in the class of 2023. The true freshman is under center for the Bruins this season and had a very impressive game on the road against San Diego State last Saturday. Moore went 17-for-27 for 290 yards and three touchdowns, looking like a stud in the pocket. 

The Pac-12 is absolutely loaded with talented teams in its final year as a conference and while Moore has not been in the national spotlight yet, he will be soon. After a cupcake game in Week 3 against NC Central, the Bruins play three straight ranked opponents (at Utah, vs. Washington State, and at Oregon State). Keep an eye on this kid.

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Michigan’s junior phenom J.J. McCarthy has had a nearly perfect start to the season. While he has only played against two G5 teams (ECU, and UNLV), his stats have been through the roof. McCarthy has gone 48-for-55 for 558 yards and five touchdowns with no turnovers.

While Jim Harbaugh may have been a little delusional for comparing him to Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, McCarthy has looked the part after looking more like a game manager throughout the beginning of his career. If he keeps slinging it this season, he could play himself into Heisman contention and the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

JJ McCarthy reportedly has “some comparisons” to both Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen according to Jim Harbaugh (Michigan HC).

Harbaugh also said he believes McCarthy is a “once in a generation” type of QB.

McCarthy responded to these statements saying he believes he “emulates”… pic.twitter.com/WcW7vAqL1v

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) August 2, 2023

Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

Nobody raised their stock more on a national stage than Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, who likely solidified his status as a top selection in next year’s NFL Draft. Ewers played lights out in a road win at night against Alabama, going 24-for-38 for 349 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

Ewers’ sights are set on winning the Big 12 in the Longhorns’ final season in the conference, with Texas now being heavy favorites to win their first title since 2009. Ewers made play after play to keep Texas in the game on Saturday, and he is set for a massive season that could include a CFP berth.

QUINN EWERS OH MY
pic.twitter.com/L5QJ0wvOwU

— Footballism (@FootbaIIism) September 10, 2023

Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels had his doubters entering Friday night’s game against Illinois, but he silenced them all with his performance. Making his season debut, Daniels went 21-for-29 for 277 yards through the air, adding two touchdowns and an interception. He also ran for 24 yards.

Daniels has been a major key in the turnaround of the Jayhawks’ football program and made a number of dazzling plays on Friday. The September 30 matchup against Texas will be appointment television.

Stock Down

For as many bright spots as there were in the college football landscape in Week 2, we also saw some bumps in the road for a few programs and marquee names. 

Here are four college football mainstays with their stock trending down heading into Week 3:

Nick Saban, head coach, Alabama

Coach Saban’s stock is so high that it almost has to come down at some point, but last season may have signaled the beginning of the end of his reign as the head of college football’s dominant program. After losing to Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Longhorns on his home turf last Saturday, the stock is plummeting.

Saban is 71 years old and still running his program at an insanely high level, bringing in stud recruits year after year. The wheels may finally come off after missing the playoffs last season and starting out 1-1 this year. While the rest of the Tide’s schedule is not too tough and they could end the season 11-1 if all goes well, they would likely meet Georgia in the SEC title game. Can Saban right the ship and get the Tide back to the playoff?

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Oh, Nebraska. The stock only went back up after Scott Frost was fired and Matt Rhule was brought in to turn the program around. However, this is the same old Nebraska team we have gotten used to watching and laughing at.

Colorado didn’t beat Nebraska on Saturday. The Huskers beat themselves. That being said, it usually takes Matt Rhule a trial season before he is able to completely turn a team around. Buy the dip with the Nebraska football program.

"Because of his culture, and because of his teachings, and he's just a damn smart coach...there's no doubt in my mind he will be successful."@TimBrando joined the show to give his thoughts on why he thinks the turnaround at Nebraska will be quick under Matt Rhule.

⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/VOwDz75KBk

— Hail Varsity Radio (@HVarsityRadio) August 9, 2023

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Drake Maye didn’t specifically have a bad game on Saturday. He just struggled to pull away from Appalachian State and needed overtime to win the game. Maye went 21-for-30 for 208 yards and scrambled for 57 yards and a score on the ground.

This week, Minnesota comes to town. This defense will be the toughest test by far for Maye, and if he can pull together an impressive performance his stock will be back on the rise. With so many other quarterbacks performing strongly, you have to wonder if Maye is losing his footing as the second-best quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft class.

Texas A&M Aggies

Much like Nebraska, Texas A&M is a program that is in shambles at the moment. For some reason, the Aggies were ranked prior to Saturday’s 48-33 loss to Miami. They should be able to rebound with matchups against Louisiana-Monroe and a soft Auburn team the next two weeks, but their schedule gets tough with Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee as the next three in line.

How hot is Jimbo Fisher’s seat? Can he turn the ship around in College Station? It feels like now or never for the Aggies, and their stock took a hit on Saturday after getting handled by Miami.

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