Bailey did not get a spring practice and not much of a fall camp. Once the season starts, most reps go to the starter. We're 6 games into the season and he will eventually be the starting QB. But it's not a simple transition. Peyton didn't start until midway through his freshman year, and that was only because Colquitt was hurt and Helton wanted to focus on baseball. Yes, he has had the play book for a while now, but you can't learn to ride a bicycle by reading about it.
As far as the staff not having another QB ready, QBs are recruited way in advance. There were no highly rated QBs available when Pruitt took over. Maurer and Shrout were projects, and they have both had their moments, but are not the ultimate answer. So the staff has been relegated to playing JG, who has talent but decision making in critical situations is lacking. The "leap" on Saturday which had no chance of making a first down 9 yards away which resulted in a concussion is just the latest example. Love his heart, but QB requires not panicking as well.
Problem is, when JG (or any QB) starts imploding, it effects the whole team. Football is an emotional game. Our OL can be devastating in the run game against a standard defense, but when they begin to stack the box and dare us to throw, there must be another solution. We don't have a consistent enough passing game to get them out of it. The drained emotion then carries over to the defense. Once things start going bad, it snowballs.
Vols are improved everywhere except QB. When Bailey or Salter get up to speed, this will be a different team. Pruitt has upgraded the talent almost everywhere. Get behind him.