If you thought Big Ten football was all about ground-and-pound, meet 2025, the year quarterbacks took over. From Lincoln Riley’s USC fireworks to Ryan Day’s freshman phenom in Columbus, the conference suddenly feels like it’s auditioning for Air Raid: Midwest Edition. And six weeks in, the arms race is real. But who’s really slinging it best? 

Big Ten QB rankings after Week 6

We’ve got veterans holding on, freshmen flashing superstardom, and a few surprises shaking up the stat sheets. Here’s how the Big Ten’s best quarterbacks stack up heading into Week 7.

Jayden Maiava, USC (QBR: 93.5)

The Trojans might not play defense, but who needs it when there’s Jayden Maiava every Saturday? The redshirt junior is lighting up the stat book with 1,578 passing yards, an absurd 11.4 yards per attempt, and only one turnover all season. Add in four rushing touchdowns and you’ve got the kind of efficiency that makes NFL scouts want to keep an eye onto. 

Lincoln Riley’s system has turned every QB into a Sunday name, and Jayden Maiava’s next in line. CBS even mocked him as a first-rounder to Pittsburgh, right next to his favorite target Makai Lemon. 

Luke Altmyer, Illinois (QBR: 86.8)

If you don’t know Luke Altmyer yet, you’re about to. The Illini QB is quietly doing more with less specifically, an offensive line that might as well be five folding chairs. Still, he’s completing 73.6% of his passes, averaging 10.6 yards per throw, and hasn’t tossed a single pick. Efficiency like that is surgical.

And this week, he’s about to face No. 1 Ohio State in a showdown that could either send his QBR through the roof or bury him under the Buckeyes’ pass rush.

Julian Sayin, Ohio State (QBR: 85.8)

Some QBs play like they’re learning on the job. Julian Sayin looks like he’s teaching the class. The redshirt freshman is completing a nation-best 80.2% of his passes with 1,313 yards and a 13-to-3 TD-to-INT ratio through five games. That’s surgical precision in Ryan Day’s loaded offense.

Julian Sayin’s confidence is growing weekly, and analysts are already whispering Heisman dark horse. USA Today says he’s “quietly putting up numbers,” but the noise is growing louder in Columbus.

Demond Williams Jr., Washington (QBR: 82.9)

Quick feet, quicker decisions. Demond Williams Jr. is everything defenses hate to see. The Huskies’ dual-threat weapon already has 1,226 passing yards, 246 rushing yards, and just one interception. Against Maryland, he threw for 275 yards and two scores, and when the pocket collapsed, he made it look like flag football.

Washington’s offense runs through him literally. If he keeps blending that balance of speed and accuracy, the Huskies could become the conference’s ultimate spoiler team.

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (QBR: 81.8)

When Indiana football shows up in Big Ten rankings, something wild’s happening. And that’s because of Fernando Mendoza, the transfer-turned-star who’s dropped 16 touchdowns to just one interception. He’s led the Hoosiers to a perfect start, with back-to-back five-TD games that have fans believing again in Bloomington.

Fernando Mendoza is mobile, confident, and making Curt Cignetti’s offense look formidable. USA Today said he “has been an effective runner for the Hoosiers… His ability to extend plays adds another element to one of the nation’s most potent offenses.”

Dante Moore, Oregon (QBR: 85.7)

Last week, Dante Moore looked human for the first time in a while and the drop from No. 4 to No. 6 proves it. Still, you can’t ignore what he’s done. 74.6% completions, 14 TDs, 1 INT, and a calmness that screams NFL-ready. The Penn State game was his masterpiece, but his real test comes against No. 7 Indiana this weekend. He’s still one of the most polished throwers in the country, and if the Ducks’ receivers catch fire again, don’t be surprised if he rockets back up this list.

Aidan Chiles, Michigan State (QBR: 78.8)

Aidan Chiles isn’t flashy, but he’s efficient. And for Michigan State, that’s a miracle. After a 2024 season full of costly picks, he’s finally keeping the ball out of danger. His accuracy still lags behind the elite names, but you can tell he’s growing into the role. In a Big Ten full of chaos, consistency might just keep him in the top ten.

Bryce Underwood, Michigan (QBR: 74.2)

Bryce Underwood looks the part with his big arm, mobility, swagger. The problem is production. Through six weeks, he’s got only three touchdown passes and a 59.2% completion rate. That’s not going to cut it in Ann Arbor, especially when Wolverine fans are used to precision from their QBs. The tools are there but the execution isn’t yet.

Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers (QBR: 72.5)

Rutgers football won’t make highlight reels and neither will Athan Kaliakmanis. But that’s kind of the point. He’s smart, safe, and efficient in a system built around ball control. He won’t torch anyone, but he won’t lose games either. Call him the B1G’s game manager deluxe.

Nico Iamaleava, UCLA (QBR: 70.8)

Finally, the light bulb went on. After a sluggish start, Nico Iamaleava blew up against Penn State’s vaunted defense, showing why he was once a five-star prodigy. He’s a true dual threat who can escape pressure and still hit bombs downfield. If this is the version UCLA gets moving forward, the Bruins might have their future and the Big Ten might have a problem.

Drake Lindsey, Minnesota (QBR: 67.2)

The freshman’s handling P.J. Fleck’s conservative playbook well, but until the Gophers let him sling it, Drake Lindsey is stuck in neutral.

Dylan Raiola, Nebraska (QBR: 66.7)

Started hot, cooled fast. Dylan Raiola‘s 77.2-to-66.7 QBR drop shows how much tougher defenses expose inexperience.

Ryan Browne, Purdue (QBR: 58.1)

Flashes of brilliance, but a 7/5 TD-INT ratio isn’t Big Ten-ready.

Drew Allar, Penn State (QBR: 56.2) 

The fall from “breakout candidate” to “liability” hurts. A 56.2 QBR tells the story.

Malik Washington, Maryland (QBR: 54.8)

Still learning. Electric legs, inconsistent arm. The tools are real, but the timing’s not there yet.

Mark Gronowski, Iowa (QBR: 47.0)

You could put Tom Brady in this offense and he’d still struggle. Kirk Ferentz’s offense is allergic to excitement.

Preston Stone, Northwestern (QBR: 42.1)

Solid against bad teams, invisible against good ones. Jury’s out.

Danny O’Neil, Wisconsin (QBR: 37.1)

Lost his job, and the Badger offense still hasn’t found itself. Not all his fault, but it’s ugly.

The Big Ten quarterback scene is finally electric again with a mix of polished veterans and flashy newcomers rewriting the old “three yards and a cloud of dust” stereotype. Jayden Maiava might be the alpha for now, but the gap’s closing fast. Between Julian Sayin’s precision, Luke Altmyer’s grit, and Fernando Mendoza’s fireworks, this race is far from over. By Thanksgiving, don’t be shocked if we’re talking about a new No. 1 or a Heisman contender wearing Big Ten colors.