But it's starting to set up like one.
On
Monday, Muschamp announced Saturday's plan for the quarterbacks. One
will play the first quarter, the other will play the second, then
Muschamp and offensive coordinator Brent Pease will evaluate the
situation at halftime and decide where to go from there.
“As I've
stated before, both quarterbacks will play in the game,” Muschamp said.
“Brent and I right now plan to play one in the first quarter — we
haven't made that decision yet — and another in the second quarter, then
at halftime make a decision on how we move forward.”
It
certainly sounds like an audition for the two quarterbacks, who have
pretty much been running a dead heat for the starting role since last
January.
There
has been no apparent separation on the practice field and in scrimmages.
Maybe that will change when they carry over their competition to The
Swamp in a live game.
Some might question the decision to play two quarterbacks, but Muschamp reiterated Monday that he's comfortable with it.
“I think
both guys are good players,” Muschamp said. “I have said it before,
we're not overly concerned with the quarterback position and the talent
we have there.
“We've
got good players. It's no different than at cornerback (where four
players are expected to share playing time at the two positions). We
have really good players at that position, and we can play well.
“Does
that mean we are going to play well? No, it doesn't. But going into the
season, I feel very comfortable about both of those positions
(quarterback and cornerback) where we have great competition with guys
who all deserve to start and all deserve to play.”
Driskel,
who bruised his left, non-throwing, shoulder Aug. 12, was cleared for
contact Monday, clearing the way for Muschamp and Pease to play both
quarterbacks Saturday.
Muschamp
said the decision to play both Brissett and Driskel was made after the
Gators' second preseason scrimmage Aug. 17. UF's third and final
scrimmage was called off due to rain and lightning last Tuesday.
Senior
wide receiver Frankie Hammond Jr. said Monday that having the two
quarterbacks alternate should not be a problem for the offensive players
— or the offense.
“I'm
fine (with it),” Hammond said. “We've been rolling with them since
January. They've been splitting time. When one comes in and another
comes out, there's no difference, no drop off. We're used to it. It
doesn't make a difference.”
Hammond
said the two quarterbacks are so similar that he usually doesn't even
know which one he's caught a pass from in practice until he's returning
to the huddle.
“It's
the same,” Hammond said. “In practice, they usually switch them out
every two or three plays. I'm not really paying too much attention
because I'm getting in the huddle and getting the play and getting back
out there.
“The
ball comes and you just catch it. I don't really pay attention (to who
threw it). I can't really tell a difference. I don't know until I'm
jogging back.”
Muschamp has said numerous times that he feels the Gators can win with either quarterback, or with both.
Both will have a chance to prove it Saturday.
Muschamp was asked what his expectations are for the two quarterbacks heading into the opener.
“Win,”
he said. “Play well, take care of the ball, score points, move our
football team, get us in and out of the huddle and just manage our team
and not in the conservative manner. Let's get the ball going.”
