Pac-12 quarterback power rankings: Does Shedeur Sanders crack the top tier?

Oct 21, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Bryson Barnes (16) celebrates after the game against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pac-12 QB rankings No. 8: Bryson Barnes

Passing yards: 930
TD: 8 INT: 5
Comp: 58.9%
YPA: 6.4

Bryson Barnes started the year as Utah’s quarterback before getting benched for Nate Johnson. Johnson isn’t much of a thrower at all, but still has a higher yards-per-attempt average than Barnes.

Utah sorely misses Cam Rising this year, but they didn’t need him to beat USC. That game alone is enough to vault Barnes to No. 8 on these rankings. I have no faith that any of the guys behind him on this list would have been able to pull off a game-winning field goal drive on the road against USC.

Barnes doesn’t have great numbers, but toughness can’t be quantified.