(NDNation.com – The Rock Report) – When I wrote that Clausen would be better than Quinn in this offense by mid-year this year I received a fair amount of “you’re crazy” emails and even more “you’re a moron, Quinn was a record setting QB” emails. But mid way through Clausen’s sophomore year, Clausen’s numbers are very close to Quinn’s senior years numbers… surprisingly close.

Through six games in 2006, Quinn threw for 1634 yards, 16 touchdowns and completed 63.5% of his passes averaging 7.01 yards per attempt.

Trough six games in 2008, Clausen threw for 1631 yards, 14 touchdowns and completed 61.6% of his passes averaging 7.45 yards per attempt.

Clausen does have a worse TD/INT ratio than Quinn, but I’m not sure there’s much of a difference between the two right now. I’m starting to believe that Clausen has an even more impressive cadre of wide receivers to work with.

It’s still early in his career, but I believe what will make Clausen better is the fact that he puts the ball in very tiny spaces with great consistency. And we’ve got another great one waiting in the wings in Dayne Crist, who, unlike Clausen, won’t have to play before he’s ready.