Spring quarterback battles usher in the dog days of summer, which means college football is rapidly approaching. Ahead of the 2025 season, ESPN football insider Pete Thamel broke down the latest from several big programs’ QB battles, including who is projected to start.
With uncertainty at the most important position in football at schools like Alabama, Michigan, and Oregon, who is in the best position to be QB1 in August?
Pete Thamel Explains Why QB Battles at Blue Bloods Could Flip the Season On Its Head
During a discussion on Friday’s “Pat McAfee Show,” insider Pete Thamel revealed the quarterback race while mentioning some high-profile players, including Bryce Underwood and Mikey Keene of Michigan, and Dante Moore and Austin Novastad from Oregon.
He also talked about the situation in Alabama with Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell, and how coaches are going to handle it.
“Who starts the season may not necessarily end the season.”@petethamel discusses quarterback battles in college football ahead of this season 🤔 @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/4nLhgzivgN
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“We talked a lot about the beginning of this conversation about quarterback depth charts and how coaches right now are not going to talk,” Thamel said. “About that. But there are a lot of big programs who do have quarterback battles.
“Michigan’s obviously got one with Bryce Underwood and Mikey Keene — they’re five-stars coming in. Oregon’s got Dante Moore [and] Austin Novastad. Alabama has Ty Simpson and Austin Mack,” he explained.
Thamel notes that following the transfer portal, the college programs try to land experienced quarterbacks instead of acquiring high school players and focusing on their development.
He also provided an example of an Oregon school where they had a high-profile recruit, Dante Moore, and still went for other portal options. The players are concerned about being replaced by another, and this threat has compelled them to enhance their performance immediately.
Pete Thamel Weighs In: Can Bryce Underwood and Keelon Russell Start As Freshmen for Michigan and Alabama?
He talked about the growing competition in Alabama and Ty Simpson. “I would think he’s the experienced, safe, son-of-a-coach kind of guy who can roll out there in week one. The name at Bama that’s got some buzz is Keelan Russell. He was the number one quarterback recruit in the country.”
As offseason college football workouts continue and the 2025 season approaches, time will tell who will start for the Wolverines, Ducks, and Crimson Tide. Michigan will kick off its season against New Mexico on August 30. Oregon will host Montana State that same day, while Alabama will travel to Florida State.
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