Neuheisel Names Kevin Prince the Starter, But Brehaut Still In the mix
So I was wrong on two predictions. Well, actually I was wrong on one, with the bet pending on the other.
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images via Zimbio
Last week, I commented that Neuheisel would name his starter by last Friday, which he didn’t. Additionally, I guessed that Neuheisel would name Richard Brehaut the starter. Neuheisel didn’t. But he didn’t not name him the starter, if that makes sense.
On Tuesday, Neuheisel stated that Kevin Prince would take the first series in Houston on Saturday. After that, it’s up to him, but both QBs will play. So technically, Prince will start. As to who will end up with more snaps when its all said and done – you’re better off betting on the game.
I am shocked by the move. Perhaps not surprisingly, as I’m not a big fan either. I don’t think teams can be successful running two quarterbacks out there (although TCU is allegedly doing it as well with Casey Pachall and Matt Brown, and I know that Gary Patterson knows more about football than I do). That being said, TCU is rebounding from losing NFL draft pick Andy Dalton, and neither of their QBs played. When it comes to UCLA, both have played, and both have gone through the same battle for three years.
There are instances when the dual QB idea has worked. Most notably, the 2006 Florida Gators. There’s a major difference though. While Florida used two QBs, it wasn’t equally. Since Tebow has subsequently been given deity status, it may be difficult to remember that he played little for the Gators (but contributed when he did). In the title game against Ohio State, Chris Leak threw 36 passes. Tebow? Just one. Tebow also rushed the ball 10 times for 39 yards. Again, contributing, no doubt, but probably 20% or less of the plays.
The strangest – and most disheartening – of all this is the rhetoric which Neuheisel used. He said “I don’t have any idea how many reps they’ll get,” and added, in reference to the reps: “I’ve told them both that I don’t know exactly when or how or why or any of that stuff.” Certainly, if Neuheisel had a set gameplan, he wouldn’t share it with the media. That being said, it sounds like it doesn’t. Besides, both QBs offer similar skill sets (Prince can probably run a little better), but this isn’t like saying “Peyton Manning will play the first two series, and the third series you’re going to see Michael Vick.”
The move even caused confusion amongst the QBs. Prince is quoted as saying “it is a little anti-climactic, you want to be named the starter and ‘the guy.’”
Another main concern is the pressure it places on the quarterback in the game. Ideally, the QB should make no mistakes and be driven to dominate regardless, but in this scenario, they may be under additional pressure to perform. If one were named the starter, and they threw an interception, they can rest assured they would finish the game (unless things went horribly wrong). Now, even an incompletion could cause Neuheisel to flip the switch.
How this works remains to be seen. Perhaps UCLA will show up on Saturday with a clear cut gameplan and strategy as to when they will play each man. Additionally, they could have designed plays that effectively change up the offense against Houston, and utterly confuse them. That’s best case scenario. Worst case is that Neuheisel rotates through each Quarterback, each rotation done on a whim, and the QBs/Offense never get in a rhythm.
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