Big Ten Football Heisman Watch: Week 5 edition

Sep 26, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) prepares to throw a pass during the second quarter against the North Texas Mean Green at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, Jake Rudock’s former backup. Now that Rudock is at Michigan, not looking all that impressive while the Wolverines as a team are pulling his weight, C.J. Beathard is looking like an entirely new quarterback.

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The junior quarterback is currently third in the conference in terms of yards passing (962 yards), but it’s his ability to improve drastically and protect the football. He has thrown six touchdown passes and just one interception through four games. Over his career, he has now thrown 12 touchdown passes and just five picks.

Last year, he looked like an average QB, but through non-conference play, he truly looked like a guy who could lead the Big Ten in passing yards, completion percentage and throw the least amount of picks.

When you sit down and compare Beathard to his former teammate, and starter for Iowa, Jake Rudock, you begin to realize the Hawkeyes got to keep the better of the two quarterbacks. Beathard has about 200 more passing yards, two more touchdown throws, four less interceptions and has a QB rating that’s about 35 points higher.

Next: 4. Jordan Howard, Indiana