I expected Ty Detmer to score high on my Rockmonster Unplugged poll, this week, that asked which is the greatest quarterback in BYU history. In part, it was because he is currently being honored as an inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Oh, yeah, and then there was that Heisman Award.

What I didnt expect was that Gifford Nielsen would finish second, only 91 votes behind Detmer. This was from a total (as of 5 a.m. today) of 2,624 voters.

People can surprise you in the polls.

The reason I was faked out is that Nielsen is rarely mentioned when I ask someone who is BYUs greatest quarterback. He was great, no doubt about it. Hes a member of the Hall of Fame himself. But so are Steve Young, Marc Wilson and Jim McMahon.

Statistically Detmer is at the top. He threw for more touchdowns and yards than any BYU quarterback. It should be noted here that he also played more games (46) than anyone. The next-highest total in games played was John Beck with 43. Detmer also set 63 NCAA offensive records.

At the same time, McMahon set 70 records in 36 games. His passing efficiency was third behind Detmer and Steve Sarkisian. He didnt have as many total or passing yards as John Beck or Max Hall, but virtually nobody had either of them listed as the top BYU quarterback (1 percent each).

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Nielson was ninth among BYU quarterbacks in passing efficiency, 12th in total offense, 11th in passing yards and ninth in touchdowns.

I expected Detmer to finish first, Steve Young second, Jim McMahon third, Robbie Bosco fourth, Wilson fifth and Nielsen sixth. As it turned out in the poll, Detmer was first (876), followed by Nielsen (785), Young (404), McMahon (404), Bosco (37), Wilson (28), Beck (24), Max Hall (17), Steve Sarkisian (17), Gary Sheide (15) and Virgil Carter (12).

So what do I know? I personally would go with McMahon as the best or at least the guy Id bring along in a firefight. I admit Im biased, having covered the 1980 Holiday Bowl. It won me over for life. After him Id go with Detmer, Young, Bosco, Nielsen, Wilson, Sarkisian, Hall and Beck.

If you have an opinion -- or your just really love Virgil Carter -- feel free to post a comment.

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