Five underrated college QBs who will reward you

Football handicappers universally are aware of the importance of a competent starting quarterback.

Teams that boast a signal-caller who can make plays under pressure, avoid costly turnovers and exhibit leadership always are under consideration for backing.

In the college game, there’s often more to a quarterback’s value than can be gleaned from basic metrics. Of course, statistical efficiency is important, but it can’t be the lone measurement of a quarterback’s impact.

How he fits the coach’s system and general offensive philosophy, his durability and poise are key components to a college quarterback’s overall value.

This season, nobody will be surprised when guys like TCU’s Trevone Boykin and USC’s Cody Kessler -- who have all the intangibles and physical skill, and will put up massive numbers to supplement them -- dominate headlines and Heisman conversation.

But there are many lesser-known quarterbacks who don’t receive much national attention, but have a proven record of success, are perfect fits for their programs and will make plays with the game on the line.

In other words, they are players whose teams you want to strongly consider supporting. Here is a brief look at five of the most unheralded yet effective quarterbacks in college football this season.

Brandon Allen, Arkansas: The senior is a prime example of a quarterback whose stat-sheet numbers will rarely inspire a second glance, but is integral to his team’s success.

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema has been grooming Allen for three seasons to become the type of effective game manager he seeks in his power-run offense.

This includes the ability to hit big play-action passes when the defense sells out to stop the run, and the ability to move the sticks with shorter third-down throws.

Allen had a solid junior year, and will be counted on even more this season to help pick up the slack caused by the season-ending foot injury to Jonathan Williams, last year’s leading rusher.

The 6-2, 210-pound quarterback threw for 2,285 yards with 20 scores and five interceptions last season. He also ran for two touchdowns.

Allen is a dependable, consummate system quarterback who should have a strong senior year. 

Arkansas has an Over/Under total of 8 wins at the Westgate LV SuperBook and is 10/1 to win the SEC at the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook.

Kevin Hogan, Stanford: The Cardinal’s penchant for stingy defense has been its identity in coach David Shaw’s tenure. It’s a deserved reputation, as Stanford led the Pac-12 in total defense last year.

But Stanford’s fortunes began to change -- from a season that was plumetting well short of expectations to one that ended with three straight impressive wins -- when Shaw reluctantly, but finally loosened the reins on his notoriously predictable power offense and allowed his quarterback to make plays.

Hogan responded, and the impact was immediate. He’s a strong dual-threat player who has an accurate arm and is a creative improviser.

The 6-4, 225-pounder finished with 2,792 passing yards with 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He added 295 rushing yards on 91 carries with five scores.

If Hogan is given more leeway this year, he should pick up where he left off and then some. He has a dangerous wideout in Devon Cajuste and assorted other playmakers who could make Stanford’s offense as vaunted as its defense.

Stanford has an Over/Under season win total of 9, and is 3/1 to win the Pac-12.

Travis Wilson, Utah: Similar to Hogan, Wilson is an underappreciated weapon on a Pac-12 team noted for its speed and physicality.

Last year, the 6-7, 233-pound quarterback initially shared time with fellow dual-threat Kendal Thompson, an Oklahoma transfer, before Wilson emerged as the leader.

The senior is a rugged and durable ballcarrier who regularly pops up from vicious hits. He also showed his mettle in guiding the Utes to two of their biggest wins in recent memory.

He engineered an electric last-minute drive to outduel Kessler and the Trojans in a 24-21 home win. Wilson also threw the game-winning touchdown in double overtime to take a 20-17 win at Stanford.

Wilson finished with 2,170 passing yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. He rushed 114 times for 309 yards and five scores.

He’s a poised, tough playmaker who is a huge asset to an already-solid Utah club.

Utah has an Over/Under season win total of 7.5 and is 50/1 to win the Pac-12.

Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State: The coveted recruit essentially saved a moribund season for the Cowboys, and may have incentivized coach Mike Gundy to remain at his alma mater in the process.

The Cowboys were mired in a five-game losing streak in a season beset by injuries and inexperience, when Gundy pulled the redshirt off Rudolph for the final three games.

The quarterback’s pinpoint accuracy and advanced poised instantly brought the offense and the program back to life.

Despite being victimized by several drops, Rudolph completed 19 of 35 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns in an overtime win over rival Oklahoma as a three-touchdown underdog.

The victory allowed the Cowboys to become bowl-eligible, and Rudolph had another strong outing, with 299 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-22 Catcus Bowl win over Washington.

The 6-4, 220-pounder’s swift emergence also might have influenced the return of Gundy, who reportedly was a candidate for several high-profile openings.

With a blue-chip quarterback under center and an array of weapons on the outside, the Gundy-Rudolph combination should lead the Cowboys back to national prominence.

Oklahoma State has an Over/Under season win total of 8. The Big 12 does not have a championship game.

Jacoby Brissett, N.C. State: The explosive Florida transfer quietly led the resurgence of the Wolfpack program to an eight-win season, topped by a victory over Central Florida in the St. Petersburg Bowl.

Brissett proved to be the perfect duel-threat fit in the spread offense engineered by coach Dave Doeren, who clobbered MAC opponents with it behind Heisman finalist Jordan Lynch in his previous stop at Northern Illinois.

The 6-4, 235-pound senior gained some notice with his breakout performance in a near-upset of Florida State in which he threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns.

Consistency was an issue, as Brissett followed the Florida State performance with a 4-for-18 effort for 35 yards in a 41-0 loss to Clemson.

Even so, he finished with 2,606 passing yards with 23 touchdowns against five interceptions. Brissett also rushed for 529 yards and three scores on 124 carries.

If Brissett consistently performs to his potential, N.C. State should continue to see its program trend upward.

N.C. State has an Over/Under of 7 wins at several sportsbooks (Westgate does not offer odds on its season win total). The Wolfpack is listed at 20/1 to win the ACC.

Josh Nagel is a Reno-based handicapper and radio host who has worked in the Nevada sports gaming industry for 15 years. His work has been featured in USA Today, Poker News and on Covers.com. He looks for psychological edges, motivational spots and situational advantages.