QB Power Rankings: Miami’s Cam Ward rises back to No. 1 amid massive reshuffling after chaotic week

Week 6 of the 2024 college football season will forever be known as “The Great Culling” here in the QB Power Rankings. There’s a simple rule here: If you lose, you won’t be ranked here before you win again.

We saw three of our top five quarterbacks in last week’s rankings lose, including No. 1 Jalen Milroe. So, yes, as has been the case every week of the season, we have a new No. 1 in our rankings. However, the new No. 1 isn’t new to being No. 1. No, it’s a QB who has come incredibly close to a loss in the last two weeks but has managed to pull his team back from the brink both times.

There’s a lot of value in that these days! Before we get to the rankings, though, we need a full explanation of how it all works.

• This is not a draft board ranking, nor is it based on any kind of statistical formula. Your numbers matter, sure, but overall, I’m ranking quarterbacks based on the “juice” they have at the current moment in time. It’s a combination of how well you’re playing, what you have accomplished and what you might accomplish in the near future. If you believe a QB I haven’t listed should be listed, I only kept them off the list because I don’t like you. Or, perhaps it’s this second part. 
• I don’t rank any QB the week after a loss. You could be the greatest QB of all time, but if you lose on Saturday, you won’t be here. I don’t care if you think your offensive line stinks, OK? That’s the burden the QB must carry. If you win, it’s because your teammates did their jobs. If you lose, it’s on you. Embrace it.

Honorable Mention: Rocco Becht, Iowa State; Carson Beck, Georgia; Braylon Braxton, Marshall; Cade Klubnik, Clemson; Will Rogers, Washington