Wide open QB battle

[stolitonic]

It is arguable that Joey Aguilar comes out smelling like a rose in this if he wins or loses the QB1 competition.

If he doesn't start, he collects his million and risks little injury.

He's not REALLY NFL material so he's not really losing anything there if he doesn't start.

If he does start, he gets his million and he's not had a lot of time to prepare so he can't really be blamed if he's not 100% efficient at the offense. If fans call for Merk after GA or whatever, he did his best. If he turns out to have a great year, he's a hero.

Don't we usually play the Dawgs in game 11 these days?

Aguilar makes it that far without someone screaming for his head then he is probably going to win the Heisman

We don't exactly have the most patient fanbase lol.

 

[NEO]

The question was, of the 50 games of the Heupel era, how many games do you think he started the wrong guy? In other words, what is his track record of starting the wrong guy?

In 2021 he started Milton 2 games. We won the first game by 32 points. One could argue that Heupel started the right guy or the wrong guy, but we won by a buttload. We lost the second game to Pitt.

Then, he started Hooker until Hooker's college career was ended.
Then, he started Milton the last 2 games of 2022, both of which we won.

Then he started Milton all of 2023, except the bowl game, which Nico started.

Then he started Nico all of 2024.

So, you have 1 game (Pitt in 2021) where most would argue he started the wrong guy. If you're using 20/20 hindsight, you could argue for the 2021 opening game. That's 1 and, at most, 2 games out of 50 that Heupel may have started the wrong guy. Unless you know about a bunch of other games he started the wrong guy.......

He only replaced Milton with Hooker due to injury. Not by choice. The game numbers would be way higher if he wasn’t force to flip them. We may have never seen Hooker play at all.

And I’m still out on if Nico was the best option last year but that’s debatable.

I’m just saying we haven’t looked good on offense at all before or after Hooker and I hope it wasn’t a Dobbs scenario.

 

[Voljayton]

He only replaced Milton with Hooker due to injury. Not by choice. The game numbers would be way higher if he wasn’t force to flip them. We may have never seen Hooker play at all.

And I’m still out on if Nico was the best option last year but that’s debatable.

I’m just saying we haven’t looked good on offense at all before or after Hooker and I hope it wasn’t a Dobbs scenario.

DanI explained it about as well as it can be explained and you're doubling down with "Heupel would have made bad decisions the whole season." Backing up your statement with basically a "trust me bro." Man, please.

 

[Danl]

He only replaced Milton with Hooker due to injury. Not by choice. The game numbers would be way higher if he wasn’t force to flip them. We may have never seen Hooker play at all.

And I’m still out on if Nico was the best option last year but that’s debatable.

I’m just saying we haven’t looked good on offense at all before or after Hooker and I hope it wasn’t a Dobbs scenario.

I get what you're trying to say, but the actual numbers say Heupel started the wrong guy once, maybe twice, out of 50 games. And those were his first 2 games here 4 years ago. What he might have done under different situations is guesswork. In any case, 1 out of 50 doesn't sound like a "track record".

 

[NEO]

I get what you're trying to say, but the actual numbers say Heupel started the wrong guy once, maybe twice, out of 50 games. And those were his first 2 games here 4 years ago. What he might have done under different situations is guesswork. In any case, 1 out of 50 doesn't sound like a "track record".

2 is the number ONLY because Milton was injured. It would be closer to 16 if he hadn’t because JH had shown he will not flip out QBs.

If Milton wasn’t hurt and it was 2 I would concede your point and say he realized he made a mistake and corrected it. But that’s not what happened. We had that amazing run with Hooker ONLY because of injury and our offense has looked like dog crap since.

 

[NEO]

DanI explained it about as well as it can be explained and you're doubling down with "Heupel would have made bad decisions the whole season." Backing up your statement with basically a "trust me bro." Man, please.

Milton was replaced by injury.

Sorry you both can’t see that. The number is only 2 cause Milton was hurt and CJH had to replace him. This is a fact. Not opinion.

 

[Danl]

2 is the number ONLY because Milton was injured. It would be closer to 16 if he hadn’t because JH had shown he will not flip out QBs.

If Milton wasn’t hurt and it was 2 I would concede your point and say he realized he made a mistake and corrected it. But that’s not what happened. We had that amazing run with Hooker ONLY because of injury and our offense has looked like dog crap since.

That's ONLY your opinion of what would have happened. What actually happened is Heupel started Milton in 2 games when Hooker was available. Heupel also started Hooker in more than a dozen games that Milton was available.

What actually happened is what actually happened. Based on what actually happened, there is no "track record" of starting the wrong quarterback.

 

[Voljayton]

Milton was replaced by injury.

Sorry you both can’t see that. The number is only 2 cause Milton was hurt and CJH had to replace him. This is a fact. Not opinion.

Everyone has heard what you're saying a thousand times. You're not breaking new ground. You are repeating the same thing over again but adding in this alternate dimension where Heupel may never figure it out. That is where it is only your opinion and the facts have ended.

 

[njvols]

I am sure coaches might have their idea of what they have at quarterback, but until they get out in live action nobody knows. Heupel will start whoever wins the job. Aguilar has the in game experience where Merk and Mac while both still young have more experience in our offense. But I expect Aguilar will adapt to our offense fast, I think both Merk and Mac will benefit from the competition. I have total confidence in our staff to put the one out there that has beat command of the offense. GBO

I actually hope it's not a tough decision...whoever it is. The chances that we have two upper crust QBs on the team is slim...I'd like to think one of them will step up and be the clear #1....but that's not an easy task for this offense...run offense @ pace JH likes, make correct reads, get the ball out fast and accurately. I get the emphasis on "vertical game", where that was a weakness last year...but if we've got a QB who doesn't get behind the chains and makes first down and limits turnovers, while supported w/ a good rushing attack and stout D, that was a pretty good formula last year, even though the offense regressed w/ Nico at QB.

 

[Vfl2407]

Don't we usually play the Dawgs in game 11 these days?

Aguilar makes it that far without someone screaming for his head then he is probably going to win the Heisman

We don't exactly have the most patient fanbase lol.

The SEC basically swapped out our Florida and Georgia Games for the 2025 season when we will play UGA in Game 3 and UF in Game 11

 

[stolitonic]

The SEC basically swapped out our Florida and Georgia Games for the 2025 season when we will play UGA in Game 3 and UF in Game 11

I knew they moved the FL game but I didn't realize the GA game was moved also.

Didn't Georgia complain a few years ago about having to play auburn and UT early in the season?

The FL game I am kinda glad to be later. I think part of our problem with them has been due to the early season jitters. First road game and all usually.

 

[troopervol]

He only replaced Milton with Hooker due to injury. Not by choice. The game numbers would be way higher if he wasn’t force to flip them. We may have never seen Hooker play at all.

And I’m still out on if Nico was the best option last year but that’s debatable.

I’m just saying we haven’t looked good on offense at all before or after Hooker and I hope it wasn’t a Dobbs scenario.

If everyone has the most confidence in JH, then what we need to remember is JH put up with some Nico/fam Dec demands yet, WANTED Nico to remain & be his QB....if Merk can get better why can't JH feel Nico was going to get better?

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

2 is the number ONLY because Milton was injured. It would be closer to 16 if he hadn’t because JH had shown he will not flip out QBs.

If Milton wasn’t hurt and it was 2 I would concede your point and say he realized he made a mistake and corrected it. But that’s not what happened. We had that amazing run with Hooker ONLY because of injury and our offense has looked like dog crap since.

You don’t know that, Heupel may have went with Hooker in another game or 2. You are just saying he would have stuck with Milton to help your narrative. GBO

 

[cgrish]

You don’t know that, Heupel may have went with Hooker in another game or 2. You are just saying he would have stuck with Milton to help your narrative. GBO

I also think he would have stuck with Milton

 

[LWSVOL]

Don't we usually play the Dawgs in game 11 these days?

Aguilar makes it that far without someone screaming for his head then he is probably going to win the Heisman

We don't exactly have the most patient fanbase lol.

Georgia is the third game

 

[VOLumeS]

He only replaced Milton with Hooker due to injury. Not by choice. The game numbers would be way higher if he wasn’t force to flip them. We may have never seen Hooker play at all.

And I’m still out on if Nico was the best option last year but that’s debatable.

I’m just saying we haven’t looked good on offense at all before or after Hooker and I hope it wasn’t a Dobbs scenario.

He was fully sold on Milton, gotta remember he brought him in, Pruitt brought in Hendon. I fully agree that if Milton had never gotten hurt Milton would've remained the starter, Milton had the tools and all the ability just lacked touch.

 

[camp_steveo]

Hind sight is 20/20.

Picking the starting QB is easy to criticize when you aren't the one picking.

 

[VOLumeS]

Hind sight is 20/20.

Picking the starting QB is easy to criticize when you aren't the one picking.

And the new thing is always the best thing to a lot of Vols fans, i remember when Merklinger was celebrated when we got him now some act like he's the worst QB since JG based off some minimal playing time and a spring game.

 

[Jaxon_Vol2017]

He started Milton over Hooker because Milton earned it. Heupel could only base his decision on what they did in practices and scrimmages to that point. And to that point, Milton badly outplayed Hooker. Not outplayed…BADLY outplayed.

If you want Heupel to be able to see the future, you’re going to be disappointed in any coach.

How do you know what happened in closed practices?

 

[camp_steveo]

And the new thing is always the best thing to a lot of Vols fans, i remember when Merklinger was celebrated when we got him now some act like he's the worst QB since JG based off some minimal playing time and a spring game.

I have a feeling that the O line is going to be much, much improved, and whoever plays QB will also look better than last year's QB play.

 

[VOLumeS]

I have a feeling that the O line is going to be much, much improved, and whoever plays QB will also look better than last year's QB play.

That is a fair take.

 

[BigOrangeFanatic]

There will be a "qb battle" in fall camp. But I will be surprised If JA isn't taking the opening snap against Syracuse. JH will hitch the wagon to him like he did JM in 2021.

 

[Vfl2407]

I wouldn't read too much into coachspeak.

Heupel can't come out and say "We picked up Joey because Merk isn't ready" nor can he say "Joey is just here as insurance."

In this situation really all he can say is "it's a wide open QB competition" even if he knows Joey or Merk or G-Mac is most likely his starter.

It's coachspeak.

I agree.
I like CJH but he is old school and believes in giving nothing to the media even Vol network people on pre game, post game, and Vol Calls.

Something a little funny. I met a Vol fan the other day in Florida and we were talking about all of the different coaching staffs. She really likes Barnes, Caldwell, and Vitello and said they put forth a very good image for the school. When it came to CJH, She said, “I think Heupel is a good coach but he’s a terrible slob, needs to lose weight, needs to shave every day, and do something about that damn cough”. I just laughed.

 

[NighthawkVol]

How do you know what happened in closed practices?

Because it was widely reported at the time that those who saw practice said Milton was badly outplaying Hooker. And that fact has been discussed ad nauseum on this board.

 

[VolsnRavens]

Backup qb is always the next best thing

Especially in the NFL. There have been several career backups that have rarely touched the field and had a great healthy career. Missed my calling, lol