Article Data Imported from Previous NDL SiteInterception Challenge Preview!!!
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Well, its a new season, and that means one thing--nobody has thrown an interception yet! That means no broken controllers because a LB jumped 15 feet to catch a pass over the middle, nobody cussing at EA because a DB jumped a 5 yd curl from 20 yds away. We all know the interceptions will come, sometimes early, sometimes, often, but who can enjoy the feeling of not making that one stupid pass the longest?
Welcome to the Interception Challenge preview, where we find out which quarterbacks are the most likely to go the longest without throwing to someone on scholarship at another program. To win the award, you must go the most games to start the season without throwing an interception. You must also attempt at least 15 passes per game to qualify, and ties will be decided by who had the most attempts before their respective games. Whether it is because they have a weak-ass schedule, a powerful run game that wont make them throw much, or because theyre just that damn good of a quarterback, here are the six guys who have the best chance to go the longest without a fan yelling great throw, dumbass! at them as they walk off the field!
1. Kellen Moore, Boise State
What do you get when you combine a weak conference, a top-five quarterback, and a coach who knows how to use him? You get the odds-on favorite to take home the Interception Challenge. Kellen Moore possesses a strong arm and pinpoint accuracy, and he has a very solid offense to help him stay upright and move the ball down the field. If he is able to navigate the week 3 matchup at the Horseshoe against Ohio State, it is very likely that he could navigate the other five games of his first half of the season--UCF, NMSU, San Jose St, Utah, and LA Tech--without making that one bad read that would eliminate him.
2. Andy Dalton, TCU
Recipe for winning the Challenge: take one stud QB, toss him into an offense loaded with talent, place in a non-BCS conference with no BCS teams in the schedule, and proceed to tear it up for twelve weeks. Andy Dalton has the weapons and the schedule to basically go as long as he wants without throwing an interception. With not a single defense on their schedule that looks like they can stop the Horned Frog offense, TCU has a chance to bring home at least one title this season, if not more. Dalton has every chance in the world of taking home this award, as long as he makes smart throws. He has the coach to get him there, and all the stars are aligned for him to do so. The question is, can he outlast Moore? 3. Greg McElroy, Alabama
Can a QB win the title by simply not having to throw the football? Greg McElroy may not have to make a throw risky enough to get picked, with the stable of HBs he has. Between Ingram and Richardson, he will have plenty of chances to simply turn and hand off. When he DOES have to throw, it helps to cut down the turnovers when you have a beast like Julio Jones to throw to. Heck, just throw it high and let him get it. Bad pass? Hell get it. Overthrown? Hell outjump the DB and take it away. It also helps when your first two games are against defenses that are probably slower than he is. His fourth opponent is Florida, and that is the game where his streak will likely come to an end. If he clears that hurdle, he could push it to 7 games before taking on LSU, where that cheesy ass Shel will definitely find a way to make him screw up.
4. Jake Locker, Washington
The only Interception Challenge winner still playing on Saturdays is back, and has a much better offense surround him than he did last season. With a very dangerous TE to throw to when hes in trouble, Locker has a release valve that helps minimize the mistakes. The other thing that helps Locker is....well, simply put, hes a rhino when he starts running--he will run you over if you get in his way. That helps a QB keep from throwing those ill-advised passes; nothings open, just tuck the head and rumble for a few yards, or at least get back to the LOS. Locker also looks to have a nasty road block come game 4, just like McElroy, this time against those boys from the University of SoCal. If he gets past that game, he could last six weeks and give himself a chance to repeat.
5. Case Keenum, Houston
What happens when your teams schedule is weaker than a middle school girl who just had her tonsils removed? You become a front-runner for the Interception Challenge award. Houstons ever-anemic schedule has given Case Keenum, maybe the best quarterback in the game, a chance to go a looong way into the season without throwing it to someone wearing a different color jersey. The only team with anything resembling a tough defense on Houstons schedule is Texas--in their 12th and final game. While I doubt Keenum will go THAT long without throwing an interception, it is unlikely that, unless he makes a bonehead throw, he will turn it over against the likes of Rice, Tulane, and Ohio. His biggest obstacle will be against Coach Packsy and Kansas State in Game 4, which is why I have him ranked so low--Pat always finds a way to force mistakes.
6. Zac Lee, Nebraska
The dark horse in the race, Zac Lees arm accuracy and the potent running game at his disposal, along with his first five games being against less than stellar defenses, give him a shot to make a run at this title. Lee has two very good HBs in Hulu Jr and Burkhead to keep his passes in the 2nd/3rd and short range, and with his top three targets standing 61, 63, and 64, he will be able to throw passes that only they can get to. Add to that a great offensive line and a solid TE, and you have a recipe for a sleeper. The biggest test will be Game 5 against Pat and Kansas State, and Game 6 vs Texas; if he can get through those hurdles, we may find our champion coming from outside the top guys.
BEST OF THE REST:
Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State: his accuracy is shaky, but he has the weapons around him to take care of the football.
Ryan Mallett, Arkansas: a freakishly tall QB with terrific skills, but a very tough schedule to navigate.
Jacory Harris, Miami: has the athletes around him and the mobility to avoid trouble, but will he be accurate enough against some tough defenses?
Andrew Luck, Stanford: He will be relied upon heavily and his volume of passes make it hard for him to get past any of his first five tough opponents.
Jordan Jefferson, LSU: If he doesnt have a guy open by 10 yards, Shel will probably just take off running. Besides, odds are hes planning to find some way to get Patrick Peterson in at QB. Hes cheesy like that. :D
Season 16- Tim Tebow (Florida)- Big Mike
Season 17- Todd Reesing (Kansas)- BigStimpin
Season 18- Jake Locker (Washington- Jsense
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