2011 Big Sky Position Rankings: Billings Gazette

[EWURanger]

This article is part of a series from the Billings Gazette.

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1 - DeNarius McGhee, Soph., Montana State
Comment: Born leader looks to climb to greater heights in 2011.
2 - Bo Levi Mitchell, Sr., Eastern Washington
Comment: Clutch performer riding high after national title run.
3 - Jeff Fleming, Sr., Sacramento State
Comment: As dynamic as them come. Just ask the Bobcats.
4 - Chase Stangel, Sr., Northern Arizona
Comment: Hoping to emerge from the shadow of Michael Herrick.
5 - Connor Kavanaugh, Sr., Portland State
Comment: Potent athlete gives Vikings a dual-threat under center.
6 - Dylan Orms, Sr., Northern Colorado
Comment: Can improved performance translate to more victories?
7 - Jordan Johnson, Soph., Montana
Comment: Has the tools to assume the Grizzlies' starting job.
8 - Mike Hoke, Jr., Weber State
Comment: Looking to fill big shoes left by Cameron Higgins.
9 - Nate Montana, Jr., Montana
Comment: Can he finally find stability with the Griz?
10 - Kyle Morris, Soph., Idaho State
Comment: The only returning Bengal QB with FCS experience

"After transferring from Southern Methodist last year, Bo Levi Mitchell caught fire at Eastern Washington. Mitchell had 3,496 passing yards and 37 TDs in 15 games last season. But most impressively, with star RB Taiwan Jones on the shelf, Mitchell led EWU to the FCS title game, then rallied the Eagles from 19 points down in the second half to beat Delaware. What can he do for an encore?"

 

[LDopaPDX]

Not sure why McGhee is deemed "born leader." He collapsed bad at the end of the year. Montana State was totally outplayed by Montana and really only won because the Griz kept turning it over. The next game they got run off their own field by North Dakota State... not exactly bringing his A-game when it counted the most.

He reminds me of a more working class Armanti Edwards with a lesser supporting cast.

 

[EWURanger]

McGee's good for sure, but I'm not sure how they select him over a QB that won the chipper. Mitchell lead his team every game when it mattered most. To me, he deserves the number one spot until he proves otherwise.

 

[catattack]

Not saying he is right or wrong but being it is the Cat-Griz Insider, he is going to lean toward a Cat or Griz at all position rankings. If it was a blog from a reporter covering the Eagles, which I don't think there is one, it would probably be just the way you folks would like it . To those who can sit back and say that McGhee is not a leader really know nothing about him. Would he have been voted a Captain as a Soph. by his teammates if he wasn't ?

 

[EWURanger]

If it was a blog from a reporter covering the Eagles, which I don't think there is one, it would probably be just the way you folks would like it.

There is, actually.

 

[catattack]

There is, actually.

Cool. I look forward to their positional previews.

 

[LDopaPDX]

People can correct me if they think I'm wrong, but I don't see McGhee as being a downfield threat like Mitchell, or probably the bulk of the other guys in the conference. He is, however, a playmaker.

Frankly, the best QB in the conference could easily be the kid out of Southern Utah if they were in the Big Sky this upcoming year. He blew me away last season; I thought he was better than 2nd rounder Colin Kaepernick with margin to spare (granted, Kaepernick had some tough dropped balls against Eastern that would've added some big numbers). He was really the only QB that made our secondary look bad all year long, and it wans't just bad, he tore them up. Villanova and Delaware's touted QBs looked JV in comparison.

 

[catattack]

Once again, wrong. Did you even see him play, Dopa ?

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Once again, wrong. Did you even see him play, Dopa ?

I saw both Sorensen and McGhee play, and I would have to agree that Sorensen is the better QB. McGhee is the better athlete, but Sorensen will have a career in the NFL. I don't see the same for McGhee.

 

[Obzerver]

Southern Utah University quarterback Brad Sorensen is the best QB I've seen in quite some time. He has two years left at SUU but if he has another stellar season I believe he could leave early for the NFL...he's that good. He did have that go to wr in Fesi Sitake who against us had 14 catches for 174 yards and another guy named Poots who had over 1200 yards last season both gone this year.

 

[catattack]

Once again, wrong. Did you even see him play, Dopa ?

I saw both Sorensen and McGhee play, and I would have to agree that Sorensen is the better QB. McGhee is the better athlete, but Sorensen will have a career in the NFL. I don't see the same for McGhee.

I wasn't comparing him to Sorensen and never said McGhee was an NFL QB but he is one hell of a college QB, so far. Dopa said McGhee wasn't as much of a deep threat as the bulk of the conference which is false. He also said McGhee wasn't a leader which again is false. 'Nuff said. I look forward to the game this fall and hopefully will be able to make the trip .

 

[EWURanger]

I believe DM was better statistically although the argument could be made that had EWU not relied so heavily on Jones Mitchell would have thrown for even more yards than he did. Biggest problem for Bo Levi was his int's, although he did lead the FCS in TD's thrown. Dude takes risks.

Biggest problem for DM is his height although he is very mobile and makes plays out of nothing. His arm isn't better than Mitchell and certainly not better than the kid from SUU. That dude is legit. :shock: Kinda glad we don't play them this year.

Both Mitchell and McGee are great QB's. I'll take Mitchell. :thumb:

 

[LDopaPDX]

I saw McGhee play a few times, actually. I watched him play well for 3.5 quarters before falling apart against Washington State. I saw him play against Eastern in the Eagles worst outing of the year by a country mile. I saw him barely lead MSU to a win over Idaho State, although he played pretty well that game. Then I watched him stagnate against Montana and North Dakota State.

I'm not saying he's bad, but I'm not willing to say great things about a guy who hasn't won in the clutch. Remember, Bo Levi Mitchell gave Washington State a courtesy win in a gift-wrapped package too by snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. But I still say he is a lesser Armanti Edwards... not a great dowfield threat but a good playmaker.

Erik Meyer was a little bit the same way at Eastern... they have a lot of similarities. But Meyer could get the ball out better and was better in short range. Dave Dickinson, who probably had the best college career of anyone in Big Sky history, was in the same mold. But NO ONE will argue Dickinson got better results... but newsflash, McGhee has a lot more year to improve.

 

[SDHornet]

McGee's good for sure, but I'm not sure how they select him over a QB that won the chipper. Mitchell lead his team every game when it mattered most. To me, he deserves the number one spot until he proves otherwise.

This.

Also glad to see Fleming get some recognition. He stepped up huge last season. He didn’t join the program until about a week or two before the start of the season and was thrust into the starting role due to injuries. He steadily improved over the season and I look forward to see continued improvement. Unfortunately he missed all of spring recovering from an injury sustained in the final game of last season, but if he can be consistent, stay healthy and minimize turnovers, he will do just fine this season.

 

[EWURanger]

Fleming's definitely in the top 3. He'll be the difference between Sac potentially going 7-4 or 6-5 and 8-3 or better. I think Sac has a legit chance of finishing in the top 3 in the conference this year.

 

[bpcats1]

I think that Mitchell did a better job than McGhee in the playoffs of recognizing when to take off and run. McGhee struggled with that during the NDSU game and as pointed out by broadcasters when he was throwing the ball had too wide of a stance causing some accuracy issues.

MItchell looked very comfortable during playoff run and he did a great job and his experience showed up. However I would take McGhee over Mitchell any day of the week for a couple of reasons. First off, McGhee has 3 years to get better and he shown the ability to go head to head with Mitchel and outperform him. Secondly, the impact McGhee has had off the field on MSU has greater than on it, not to mention recruiting. Lastly, I think that McGhee has a quicker release and is more accurate MItchell.

As far as MSU's games against ISU, UM and NDSU goes those "bad" performances had more to do with the fact our offensive line didn't do a very good job those last three games. The loss of our starting RG during the Washington State game forced us to go with a much lighter defensive line by about 25lbs per position. That is the biggest question for MSU going into this next season.

I thought that EWU's offensive and defensive lines performed great last year during the playoffs and gave Mitchell the opportunity to make plays.

Heading into the season I expect Mitchell and EWU to have a great year. I just wouldn't trade for the type of QB McGhee will be by the end of the season and years to progress.

 

[eagle11]

I'll take Mitchell and the 2010 National Championship any day over McGhee! All kidding aside, McGhee is going to be really good next year. Looking forward to the 9/24 game on the red turf and to let this argument to be settled on the field. Go Eags!!!

 

[LDopaPDX]

Another big over-rate: Connor Kavanuagh. Too soft to be a top QB.

I cannot believe how mediocre Portland State's touted coaching was at times last year. A typical problem of weak coaching staffs is a team that seems to get progressively worse by the end of the year. Portland State peaked when they played Montana tough and receded every game thereafter.

They lined up in their vaunted pistol for about one series against Eastern, saw Eastern come out and hit them on defense, and quickly tried to transition into a finesse passing team. Yikes.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Once again, wrong. Did you even see him play, Dopa ?

I saw both Sorensen and McGhee play, and I would have to agree that Sorensen is the better QB. McGhee is the better athlete, but Sorensen will have a career in the NFL. I don't see the same for McGhee.

I wasn't comparing him to Sorensen and never said McGhee was an NFL QB but he is one hell of a college QB, so far. Dopa said McGhee wasn't as much of a deep threat as the bulk of the conference which is false. He also said McGhee wasn't a leader which again is false. 'Nuff said. I look forward to the game this fall and hopefully will be able to make the trip .

Well, if you mean by "leading" playing your worst in the biggest games, then yes, he is a great leader. I'm sorry man, this kid is getting annoited pretty quickly.

Keep in mind, Bo Levi was maligned pretty hard on this board until he brought his A-game in the last couple of games (he was also atrocious against NDSU.... damn near gave the game away until finding his winning groove late). The one thing Mitchell always did, though, was perform in the clutch when we needed a big drive.

 

[catattack]

I guess your right Dopa and the whole Bobcat team that voted him a captain and is around him every day don't know anything about him. Can't wait to see what this slacker does on the red carpet.