And that quarterback better be more than just a thrower.

Look at every big game involving ranked teams and see where the position has clearly evolved. Even pro style Alabama, with its power run and throw off play action philosophy, has given in.

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If you’re playing quarterback for an elite program, more than likely, you’re dual-threat.

Auburn has Nick Marshall, and on the other side Saturday night, LSU moved this week to freshman Brandon Harris. Alabama has Blake Sims, and Ole Miss has Bo Wallace.

Mississippi State has Dak Prescott, Notre Dame has Everett Golson and if you don’t think Kevin Hogan can run the ball, you obviously haven’t watched much Stanford football. Even Kenny Hill at Texas A&M has shown the ability to make first downs when the play breaks down.

Just how much has the position changed of late? Even Steve Spurrier, Mr. Fun ‘N Gun himself, now looks for a throwing quarterback who can run when recruiting the position.

“With defenses nowadays, you almost have to have a guy who can get you something when the pass isn’t there,” Spurrier said.

It’s not necessarily the offense (pro style vs. spread) as it is the dynamics of the player and the position. Athleticism on the defensive line has changed the way the run game is played between the tackles, and speed on the outside has changed how teams set and throw the ball.

Teams without a dual-threat quarterback better be able to run with power (Alabama) and impose their will on defenses, no matter the athleticism on the defensive line (Alabama again).

The last non-Alabama team to win the national title without a dual threat quarterback was LSU (Matt Flynn) in 2007. Now that the Tide has a dual threat quarterback, it won’t happen this time around, either.

2. Maryland’s bold statement

So Ohio State tight end Jeff Heuerman says the Buckeyes want to roll into College Park and show Maryland what Big Ten football is all about.

While it’s clear that Heuerman’s statement is comical at best — and deserves a nice, sarcastic punch line — don’t let that comment overshadow what could be a disastrous spot for the Buckeyes.

It’s easy to look at Maryland and declare the Terps have played no one; that the only difficult game was a loss (at home) to West Virginia. But that would ignore back-to-back road wins over Syracuse and Indiana.

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Maryland teams of the past don’t win those games, and both wins were relatively easy. The latter victory came after Indiana went on the road and upset Missouri.

Maryland is playing so well of late, even an injury to starting quarterback C.J. Brown (wrist) won’t change things. Brown could play Saturday, but if he doesn’t Caleb Rowe (198 yards passing, 2 TD, 0 INT last week as backup vs. Indiana) will be a handful for an Ohio State defense that has had problems all season against the pass.

3. A bad spot for Florida

Of all the games and all the places Will Muschamp can’t find himself in, he’s stuck in the middle of it this weekend in Knoxville, Tenn.

The coach who needs wins to keep his job, brings his beleaguered Florida team into Tennessee this weekend to play a team the Gators haven’t lost to since 2004. Even Muschamp’s teams have won all three games against Tennessee.

A loss in this game would be a damaging blow to Muschamp’s hopes of keeping his job. Not because of the loss — because of who it’s to (a rival Florida has owned) and what it means (two SEC losses; all but out of the East Division race).

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Even more of a problem: a loss would push the Florida locker room closer to thinking another season like 2013 is inevitable. Those thoughts already were creeping in after a blowout loss at Alabama.

“I tried to go around and tell guys to keep their heads up, this is only one game,” said Gators linebacker Jared Davis. “We have more opportunities this season, so we don’t need to take this as detrimental to the Florida Gators’ success this year. I feel like a lot of guys were down and it kind of reminded me a little bit of last year.”

4. Freshman to freshman

It’s easy to see Brandon Harris getting his first start in a brutal environment against a top five team and think disaster.

But look closer at Harris this season, and see a freshman who has played with poise and confidence — and a player more than ready to lead the Tigers at defending SEC Champion Auburn. But it’s more than the impressive numbers (6 TD, 73 percent passes completed; 108 yards rushing, 3 TD), it’s how he gets another talented LSU freshman involved in the game.

Anthony Jennings, who started the first five games of the season, threw at freshman WR Malachi Dupree just six times, completing one pass for 15 yards. Harris threw to Dupree eight times, completing seven for 138 yards and four touchdowns.

Don’t be surprised if all three heralded LSU freshmen (including tailback Leonard Fournette) are playing critical roles Saturday at Auburn.   

5. The impact of one loss

Arizona’s win against No. 2 Oregon affects more than the Ducks. (Getty Images)

Oregon’s loss to Arizona late Thursday night did more than just damage the Ducks’ chances at playing in the College Football Playoff.

The collateral damage is even greater.

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An Oregon loss to unranked Arizona means Michigan State’s loss to Oregon earlier this season has less of an impact. Because if you’re going to lose a game and still make the CFP, why not lose a competitive game at a team that will make the playoff.

Then Arizona happened — and now Michigan State, even if it wins out and finishes the season with one loss, still lost to a team that lost to unranked Arizona at home.

What does it all mean? The playoff hopes for Michigan State took a big hit. Maybe too big to overcome — no matter what happens Saturday against Nebraska.