Can Tennessee afford to continue waiting to name a starting quarterback?
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In typical Josh Heupel fashion, the Tennessee Volunteers are holding their cards close to the vest.
With just two weeks until the Sept. 5 season opener against the Furman Paladins, Heupel has yet to name a starting quarterback.
The team participated in their second scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday, and though the Volunteers head coach was impressed by quarterbacks Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre, he is hesitant about making a commitment.
“I thought they did a really good job taking care of the football, [and] handling decision-making,” Heupel said. “[They’re] controlling what we’re doing offensively.”
I believe, however, that delaying the decision puts Heupel and his team at an acute disadvantage.
Even though both quarterbacks have had plenty of time to learn the playbook and adapt to Heupel’s veer-and-shoot offense, splitting reps at the quarterback position significantly limits the offense’s continuity as a unit.
Though X's and O's are important, having strong chemistry between the quarterback and his pass-catchers is imperative.
Heupel gave no clues, however, as to when or how he will name the starting quarterback.
“You evaluate where they’re at, [and] who has earned it,” Heupel said. “[You do] what you think is best holistically for that position group in the buildup and in the football team.”
One could argue, though, that what is best for the football team is establishing a leader of the offense, not having a question mark at the most important position in sports two weeks away from the season opener.
In better news for the Volunteers, the surrounding offensive play has a positive outlook, with multiple receivers boasting impressive performances over the first two scrimmages.
“Radarius [Jackson], TK [Keys], Travis Smith – those guys have [excelled] here over the last week and flashed some today too,” Heupel proclaimed.
Given the Volunteers depth chart at receiver came into training camp looking extremely top-heavy, getting meaningful contributions from players like Jackson could transform the offense.
Unfortunately, Tennessee’s receivers will likely have to work overtime to build a rapport with whoever starts the season under center.
Most Volunteers fans can likely agree that the Furman game is hardly of concern regardless of who the starter is for Tennessee.
The following week, however, the Volunteers will travel to Atlanta to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
If the Volunteers’ quarterback situation is still cloudy going into Week 2, their season will be over before conference play even begins.
Tennessee can ill afford to drop one of their three non-conference games given they will face the likes of Texas, Alabama, LSU, and Vanderbilt in SEC play.
If the Volunteers want any chance of competing with a tough schedule, Heupel’s decision must be imminent.
