The key to success on the football field often comes down to one simple variable: quarterback play.

The last 20 Heisman Trophy winners? 17 quarterbacks.

The last 10 national champions? Six teams that also had the nation’s best-performing quarterback at the time.

I wrote yesterday about Jack Coan‘s career and why he’s the best thing the Badgers have had at quarterback since Russell Wilson.

No, he’s not on the level of fellow Big Ten quarterbacks Justin Fields and Tanner Morgan. But Wisconsin is set to enter the 2020 season with the best option they’ve had at quarterback in years.

Football is still obviously an extremely-complex game, and there will be many variables that play into the Badgers’ success or lack thereof this year. Nevertheless, whether the team is able to win their first Big Ten championship since 2012 will come down in large part to how Coan performs compared to the opposing signal caller.

So, here are the top five quarterbacks the Badgers will face during the 2020 season:

(For a power ranking of every Big Ten quarterback see my article from last month)

 

5. Michael Penix Jr. (Indiana)

Michael Penix Jr. battled injuries a season ago but showed mile-high potential when he began the year by leading Indiana to their best start since 1993.

His 2019 season ended with six games played, 1394 passing yards, 69% completion, 8.8 adjusted passing yards per attempt (AY/A), 10 touchdowns and four interceptions in addition to 22 carries, 119 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

The Florida native is now healthy entering the 2020 season as he will work to improve upon his impressive showing from 2019 when he was healthy.

I give Coan the edge in this matchup as with a significantly-shortened offseason, or no live offseason at all, experience will be key at the position. Penix Jr. has a bright future but his 2020 outlook isn’t quite on the level as that of Coan.