Mike Sherman has emphasized the importance of the quarterback position since arriving at Texas A&M. He's an NFL guy who understands the quarterback must be surrounded by quality parts but has inferred a team's chances revolve around how well the quarterback performs.
If for no other reason, the Aggies should leave the Rocky Mountains with a victory because of the decided advantage they have over Colorado at quarterback.
Jerrod Johnson has joined the Big 12's top quarterback tier with the likes of Texas' Colt McCoy, Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson and Kansas' Todd Reesing. Reputation and where the Aggies finish in the standings will likely keep Johnson off the All-Big 12 teams. His numbers, though, would suggest that he belongs.
The junior is No. 1 in the conference in total offense, touchdown passes and interceptions per pass attempt. He's third in passing yards per game and passing efficiency. The only major category that he's below third in is completion percentage, but at 60.9 percent (good for seventh), he's just three percentage points from moving up a spot.
Johnson hasn't thrown a pick in seven of A&M's eight games, has completed more than 70 percent of his passes in four games and has thrown for at least 234 yards in every game. He also has thrown a touchdown pass in 13 straight games.
Johnson also has presented problems for opponents with the way he runs Sherman's hurry-up offense. Of late, he's also shown the confidence to check off plays, including on fourth downs, and he's been making the right calls.
Across the sideline Saturday, Colorado's quarterback situation is without a doubt the worst in the Big 12. Cody Hawkins is the only quarterback in the Big 12 with double-digit interceptions, with a completion percentage below .500 and with a passing efficiency rating of less than 100.
And although numbers don't lie, they don't tell the entire story, either.
The Buffaloes were going to redshirt backup Tyler Hansen, but with the immobile Hawkins unable to move the team through the air, they had to turn to someone who could improvise in the pocket. So CU went to Hansen, who pulled off a victory over a ranked Kansas team. Less than two quarters later, however, Hansen was benched. Then head coach Dan Hawkins went to him again.
It's likely CU will start Hansen this Saturday. He's a more mobile quarterback with a stronger arm, though supposedly he's not as accurate. He's completed 57 percent of his passes and has a passing efficiency rating of 117 in Big 12 games, which is only better than Baylor's Blake Szymanski.
And if a 2-6 record and uncertainty at quarterback isn't enough, CU has had to deal with a prize recruit from two years ago announcing he is transferring. Running back Darrell Scott will be the fifth player to transfer from CU's 2008 recruiting class, which was ranked in the Top 20 but has been a bust -- 13 of the 28 players signed in that class either did not make it to campus or have departed.
This week, Hansen had to spend time evading questions rather than pass rushers when his name was thrown into the rumor mill of possible Buffaloes transferring.
It's not a good situation for a program that has won the Big 12's North Division as often as any other team. With Johnson and the Aggies coming to town, it shouldn't get any better.
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