Fresno State vs. Rutgers: QB Preview

One QB has thrown for 28 touchdowns over the past two seasons. The other QB has thrown for 32. One QB has thrown for over 4,000 yards over the past two seasons. The other QB has thrown for over 5,000. One QB has a rating of 123 over the past two seasons. The other QB has a rating of 130 over the same period of time.

One QB has completed 59% of his passes over the past two seasons while the other QB has completed 57% of his. The first QB is Tom Brandstater while the second is Mike Teel. Taking a look at their stats does very little to distinguish these two QB’s from one another. They have both started for their teams the past two seasons. Both QB’s are rarely touched when in the pocket. Both QB’s have been blessed with physically gifted running backs throughout the years at their respective universities. So what exactly makes Mike Teel a different QB than Tom Brandstater? Will either of these QB’s do enough to ensure their team victory in one of the better non-conference college football games of 2008?

Tom Brandstater has cemented his position as offensive captain heading into the 2008 football season. Brandstater struggled throughout the 2006 season while dealing with more adversity than just about anyone that has ever taken the football field in a Bulldog uniform. However, only one season later Brandstater was able to erase the memories of 2006 with a stellar 2007 season. Brandstater led the Bulldogs to a 9-4 record with the season culminating in Boise, Idaho. Brandstater and the Bulldogs would defeat Georgia Tech 40-28 giving Bulldog fans and players alike plenty to look forward to in 2008. The Bulldogs return 10 offensive starters this season which will only make life that much easier for Brandstater. Tom will have the opportunity to look downfield and take his pick of talented receivers to throw to. At the same time the offensive line has been amazing with respect to QB protection. When Brandstater drops back to pass he has very little to worry about which only increases his confidence that much more in the team that surrounds him on the field of play. Fresno State’s offense faces few if any question marks heading into the 2008 season. That tends to happen when you return ten offensive starters from a team that averaged 33 points per game in 2007.

Scarlet Knight QB Mike Teel

Mike Teel has become the offensive leader for the Scarlett Knights. In 2007 Teel played the entire season despite an injured thumb. Teel showed his toughness leading Rutgers to an 8-5 record with a win in the International bowl. In 2006 Teel led the Knights to an 11-2 record, falling one play shy of a BCS appearance (which would have been Rutgers first). Teel like Brandstater has the ability to make the big throw under pressure and has the size and experience to come through in the clutch. Teel is also a proven winner as he has led Rutgers to a 19-7 record over the past two seasons. Teel can also rely on his stellar receivers to step up when the game is on the line. However, Rutgers lost the bulk of their offensive line to graduation this past season. At the same time Rutgers will be taking the field without Ray Rice for the first time since the 2004 season. What this means is the offense will rely on Teel much more in 2008 than it has in the past. Teel has the ability to make big plays but in order to do so he will have to cut down on his mistakes. If Teel plays a flawless game against Fresno State he will give his team a great chance to win this game.

Keys to the Game

Tom Brandstater

Limit mistakes

Play within the offense. The Bulldogs rely on the running game first.

Do not force unnecessary throws.

Play with confidence. Take over as the team leader that he is.

Mike Teel

Limit mistakes. Refrain from throwing interceptions

Throw with confidence. This will be Teel’s first game without Rice.

Trust his receivers and let them find the holes in the defense

Also play within the offense. Rutgers will ask for more out of Teel than the Bulldogs will ask of Brandstater due to the differences in the running games.

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