College quarterbacking: An inexact science with countless theories

(Photo: Joseph Maiorana, USA TODAY Sports)Under a cloudless July sky, eight of the most significant quarterbacks in college football went head-to-head in a throwing competition. Some were former five- and four-star recruits counted on to start for their colleges from day one. Some were career backups. Some were afterthoughts who have turned into record-holders. One was an FCS player with potential NFL chops. And one couldn't be sure he'd start for his team in 2015.

Immediately afterward, following a final throw-off that saw career backup turned Arizona State starter Mike Bercovici edge former three-star turned Tennessee starter Josh Dobbs, the person who invited all of them to this…