During the Saban Era, it's DeShaun Watson.......by a mile. Even if you deduct his final drive in the first game, where he was way down and we forced him to chew up clock, he still had a helluva game. Clemson did NOT lose the first game because of anything Watson did or didn't do, they lost because we outfoxed them with the onsides kick, Coker had a helluva game, and Drake hit them with the virtual death blow.
The second one........that was perhaps the greatest defense ever until that night. And while the lack of offense helped, Watson still had to get it done.
Not to diss anyone, but the other quarterbacks......
Tebow - his team as a whole was superior, it wasn't just him. Simply look at the very next year.
Garcia - swallowed a magic pill before the game and turned into Aaron Rodgers for four quarters (he lost to 6-7 UK the very next week)
Newton - only was able to do it because we left 17 points or so on the field in the first half; if not for Ingram's bizarre fumble or Trent's drop, we win that game regardless of what Cam does
Knight - fluke game against a team that really didn't care that much
Wallace - fluke game decided by turnovers and almost nothing to do with what Bo did
Kelly - spot the boy five turnovers and he still needs two insane TDs (one illegal) to win by only six
Cardale - the story of that game was Zeke Elliott running all over us
Lawrence - the way we played, Kelly Bryant could have beaten us that night
The one I will address in a little detail is Manziel. The dude was dazzling, but I think he gets way too much credit for a win where he got spotted 20 points and only scored 9 the rest of the game. Let me put it this way: Clara Peller could have been the offensive coordinator that day in the final minutes, and the results could not have been any worse.
The second year? Let's see.....he was trailing 35-14, gave up a pick six, and his team was only in the game thanks to an inopportune fumble by TJ Yeldon on the death blow TD. Sure, he threw the ball, but most of those yards were receivers catching 15 or 20-yard flares and then running for forty yards. That prayer he tossed up.....just plain stupid and reckless.
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As far as pre-CNS.......I guess it depends on your age. Davey, Naegle, Archie, Collier, all good picks.
Tony Robinson of Tennessee did not have the numbers, but he was 2-0, leading a comeback and giving enough of a lead to win in 1985 before a torn ACL ended his career.