Inexperienced QB's for early opponents

[TheTodd]

There will be only one experienced quarterback wherever the Florida Gators line up in the month of September and that’s Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. Hawaii, Miami, Tennessee and Ole Miss are all searching for answers at quarterback in August. And like every other team in America, those coaches who are fitting a first-year starter with the speakers’ role in the huddle, they are careful to praise. Words like hope, believe, and think are thrown out like dollar bills at the man selling programs outside the stadium.

Hawaii has named third-year sophomore Brent Rausch as their starting quarterback. The fact that he has never been a starter is probably of now surprise. But, his story is one to rival that of former Florida quarterback Kerwin Bell, who came to Gainesville from Lafayette High School in Mayo and through a series of injuries and improved play went from fifth to first on the depth chart in 1984.

Rausch played eight-man high school football in Palm Springs, California, went to College of the Desert (juco), where he was named the 2007 Foothill Conference Player of the Year and quit the team to go to work. The 6-4, 180-pound signal caller is a natural passer who said that he has played before a capacity crowd of just 9,800 fans. A resume like Rausch’s has more often than not resulted in disaster for quarterbacks who have ventured into The Swamp for their first collegiate start.

The run-and-shoot is a good offense for providing confidence for young and/or inexperienced quarterbacks, however. If Rausch completes a few passes and moves the chains, perhaps he’ll take shot downfield. One of the keys for the Gators is to get their hands up and disrupt the Warriors receiving crew. Only two Hawaii receivers stand 6-2, while most are in the 5-9 range.

* * *

The University of Miami will blow into town on September 6th, a date the Hurricanes have circled on their calendar for a long time. Several of their players have used the date as a motivator during summer workouts.

A lot of talk is coming out of Coral Gables, where the Canes are excited about the improved play at wide receiver and quarterback. Wide receiver Travis Benjamin and Aldarius Johnson have captured the interests of the Miami players, who rave about their big play ability. Benjamin, a diminutive 5-10, 160-pound lightning bug from Belle Glade, has excelled alluding Miami defenders after the making the catch. Johnson is a guy who can go inside and run deep. The 6-2, 205-pound playmaker from Northwestern is quickly rising as the Hurricanes top receiver coming out of camp.

Quarterbacks Robert Marve and Jacory Harris will be better than anybody that suited up for the Canes recently. Heck, let’s admit it: some of you could have done better than recent Miami QBs. Reportedly, Marve’s timing with the receivers has improved and he hasn’t made as many mental mistakes. Harris is the true freshman who is challenging the former Plant star for the starting job. He is not gaining ground on Marve, but has not lost any ground either.

* * *

Jonathan Crompton is not fighting for a position, but rather trying to get down new Tennessee offensive coordinator Dave Clawson’s system. It’s not been as easy as expected. There are reports upon reports that have Crompton looking pretty good … when he’s not making mistakes. Apparently Crompton has forced a few balls and made some disastrous reads that have resulted in the ball going the other way. Some have credited the Vols outstanding secondary with providing a stern test for Crompton.

A few days ago, Tennessee head coach Phil Fulmer blared the Florida and Georgia fight songs through the speakers as the Vols fought through a sluggish two-a-days practice session. He suggested that the Vols must beat Florida and Georgia if they want to win the Eastern Division race. I’ll bet that tidbit wasn’t lost on South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier. It’s on a bulletin board in Columbia somewhere and that message has been relayed to a visor wearing coach as well.

* * *

Ole Miss is rejoicing over its quarterback fortunes. In the Rebels’ first scrimmage Coach Houston Nutt praised quarterback Jevan Snead for his ability to get the Rebels out of the wrong play and into the right play --- repeatedly. Snead completed 12 of 16 passes for 215 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His first strike was a 65-yard pitch and catch to receiver Mike Wallace. The receivers have also praised Snead for the velocity that he gets on the ball. Snead sat out last season after transferring from Texas. He had originally committed to Urban Meyer and Florida.
The Rebels are also finding some competition and depth in at running back. Cordera Eason, Brandon Bolden, and Enrique Davis are heating things up on the Ole Miss practice fields. Nutt has said that each brings a little something different to the Rebels offense and that he is pleased with their efforts. They are running behind a veteran offensive line, which includes All-American left tackle Michael Oher.

* * *

Florida checked in at number five in the Associated Press poll. They’re a spot lower than I expected and that’s just fine. A few of the pre-season magazines predict they’ll finish the campaign in the top spot. The writers disagree. Look, Florida returns last season’s Heisman Trophy winner and a slew of returning starters. In any other season, they’d probably be picked to finish higher in the pre-season poll. This is much better though. Let Georgia have the top spot as they run through a rugged schedule. Yeah, good luck with that.