The college football world is buzzing over Josh Pate's 2026 Big Ten quarterback rankings, and not everyone is on board. ESPN draft guru Todd McShay has taken a public stand against the list, calling one particular placement 'bordering on criminal.'
Pate, who is set to host his own show on ESPN this fall, released his top 10 signal-callers for the Big Ten as the season approaches. His rankings placed Ohio State's Julian Sayin at the top, nudging out Oregon's Dante Moore. But it was the lower end of the list that sparked McShay's ire.
McShay, known for his sharp evaluations of college talent, took to social media to voice his displeasure. 'With all due respect, Nico at 10 w/ Bryce at 5 is bordering on criminal… but to each their own. —and FYI; I’m out west, so this isn’t some weird 1:42am post,' he wrote, referencing UCLA's Nico Iamaleava and Michigan's Bryce Underwood.
The reaction from fans was swift and divided. Some sided with McShay, while others defended Pate's choices. 'Bryce has more upside than Nico. Can see why he has him at 5,' one fan argued. Another pointed out the irony in Pate's rankings, saying, 'What’s more surprising is Josh ranked Sayin ahead of Moore after all of his Oregon love.'
Not everyone was impressed with Pate's overall methodology. 'Pate is a results/outcome over process guy. Just a fan with a voice who doesn’t actually understand competition,' one critic wrote. Others noted a glaring omission, with a fan adding, 'He didn’t even have Drake Lindsay on the list. I am not even a Gopher Football Fan. Kinda a brutal take on it honestly.'
McShay's comments have added fuel to an already heated debate about the quarterback hierarchy in the Big Ten. The conference is stacked with talent, and the upcoming season promises to be a showcase for these young arms. For more on the conference's scheduling quirks, check out this look at late-night title games.
As the season kicks off, all eyes will be on these quarterbacks to see who lives up to the hype. Pate's rankings may be controversial, but they've certainly sparked conversation. Whether Iamaleava proves McShay right or Pate's list stands the test of time remains to be seen.
For now, the debate rages on, with McShay's critique adding another layer to the preseason narrative. Fans can expect plenty more analysis as the games get underway, and perhaps a few more surprises from the signal-callers in the Big Ten.
