We're just a week away from the start of fall camp and along with that it means we are also inching closer to letting the talking be done on the field and less so by the coaching staff and players made available to the media. One thing is for sure, we won't know the answer to today's question anytime soon – unless something crazy happens along the way of course.
So far we've dived into some of the bigger questions facing the 2013 Badgers football team, questions like the chances of a four-peat as Big Ten Champions, how important a 2nd WR option is, and whether or not the 3-4 defense will be successful in year one under Gary Andersen? Those questions are all well and good, but let's face it – the question you are asking most often and the one that is asked of me a lot is all about the QB position.
Today, that means it's the MTB staff's chance to go on record and state our case for whom we think will be the QB come August 31st against UMass inside Camp Randall. Will anyone pick one of the two players to already start a game, or will there be an upset? Let us go to the thoughts of our Andy, Arman, and Paul.
Question: Who is the starting QB come Aug. 31st against UMass and why?
Arman: Tanner McEvoy. I think the coaches know they have viable options from several team veterans, including Joel Stave, but at the end of the day, the allure of having a legitimate dual threat at QB is too hard to pass up. Coach Andersen and OC Ludwig prize the ability to keep opposing defenses guessing, and having a QB who can sling it as well as bolt for 20 yards at any given moment, is what they dream about. McEvoy brings that level of athleticism, and as long as he is able to learn the playbook and earn the respect of his teammates, I believe he'll be the starter. If not, it will be Stave. Not a mobile option by any stretch, but one who has a great arm and a proven ability to win re: last season.
Andy: My heart says it's Joel Stave, but my head says it's going to be Tanner McEvoy. Either one being the starter wouldn't surprise me, but anyone else being named to that spot would. Stave has the arm and the demeanor to lead this team and it showed in how this team played with him under center and sometimes you just can't quantify leadership in numbers, you have to see it in person and when you do you just know it. That's what I get from seeing others around Stave react to him on the field and outside the locker room following games.
However, you can't deny how much his game isn't running the football and that's a big strike against him. You also can't deny that the Badgers didn't just bring in McEvoy to be fodder for the scout team either. He is a dynamic athlete and as long as he is able to demonstrate he can throw the ball better than average and know the playbook quickly he should be the favorite to win the job and do what Andersen wants from the QB. Either way it's nice to know the Badgers have legit options and honestly the QB spot isn't as big of a worry as some have made it out to be, more of just a curiosity. I'm going with McEvoy in a mild upset, but wouldn't be surprised to see Stave pull it out either – I haven't met a better competitor and more humble guy for a QB in my time covering this team.
Paul: It’s easy to say that Tanner McEvoy will start the opener because “well guys, he’s the dual-threat dude that Andersen recruited all by himself and we know that he wants dudes that can run the option and do other cool stuff that Stave can’t do and stuff” and combined with Curt Phillips struggles to throw the ball when it’s any quarter other than the fourth quarter, that leaves the newbie as the man. Who do I want to be the starting QB? Stave, because of his size, arm, and presence. Who is my favorite qb on the roster? Bart Houston. I want him to be the guy in the next couple years.
Conclusion:
Interesting answers to say the least as all three see McEvoy as the winner, but seemingly all three have a soft spot in their hearts for one Joel Stave. It will be a fun and interesting race to watch and my bet is that coming out of camp we'll be getting nearly daily updates on how these guys performed and nearly exact numbers on what they did under center with the No. 1 offense. Clearly it would be shocking to most if Curt Phillips ended up being the starter, but as we've seen with his injury history and performance last year don't count him out until it's all said and done either. Sit back, relax and enjoy a QB competition because they are good, not because they are a bunch of unknowns for a change.
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