ASU Football: Quarterback Dilemma?

This week, ASU head football coach Todd Graham and offensive coordinator Mike Norvell have both been adamant that there is no quarterback controversy for this team.  That’s the right move, as it pertains to coaching.  A starting quarterback shouldn’t lose his job due to injury.  And it’s best to get out front of that controversy right away to end all speculation and avoid any possible division amongst the players.

In all likelihood, coach Graham will stick to that statement if Taylor Kelly is healthy.  But it is naïve to believe that these coaches aren’t privately thinking and discussing how to proceed with this situation.  On one hand, you’ve got momentum with Mike Bercovici at quarterback.  Berco had zero turnovers against USC and looked much improved from his first start.  And he can spin the ball in a way that Taylor Kelly cannot.

On the other hand, Kelly is the starter and was masterful at running this offense.  He has more experience and his timing with the starters is more crisp.  However, at least publicly, Kelly hasn’t gone full speed and really practiced in almost a month.  You have to figure he’s going to be a little rusty.

Devils in Detail believes that the coaching staff will only start Kelly if he practices by Sunday.  They’ll want the full week of reps for him to start this game.  On top of that, he has to be 100% back to normal and he has to look good in practice.  If he’s gimpy or tight, even though cleared to play, they’ll probably put him back on the shelf for another week.  And even if he is moving well, but his timing is off or he’s rusty, they may elect to hold him out one more week.

That’s the luxury in having a back up in Mike Bercovici.  ASU doesn’t have to “hurry” to get Taylor Kelly back to normal.  No doubt, Kelly is anxious to return.  But the coaching staff has the responsibility to play the guy that gives this team the best chance to win.

Much of that will have to do with how ASU elects to attack Stanford’s defense.  If they deem that having the running threat that Kelly poses is a better strategy than having a pure drop back passer in Bercovici, then Kelly would start.  Conversely, if they deem it more important to try to pick Stanford apart with the pass, then Berco would start.

That’s where it’s going to get tricky.  ASU’s plan of attack, coupled with Kelly’s health and performance will provide the answer.  But at some point, coach Graham is going to have to make a tough decision.  And if that decision backfires against Stanford, there will be a lot of second-guessing by media folks and analysts.

In the big picture, it’s a good problem to have–two capable quarterbacks.  But their differing style of play and skill sets does force the coaching staff to plant their flag with one guy.

Also, don’t forget that Stanford is wondering who is going to start as well.  They’ll need to have a slightly different game plan for the two quarterback options.  Coach Graham is surely aware of this and probably intends to use it to his advantage.  Don’t be surprised if ASU is quiet about this situation.  We may not know who is starting until the first offensive series next Saturday night.