I think Les must have been reading your post and changed the script just to prove you wrong ... Harris to start against AU! Not going to be easy for a freshman QB to come in and take a game away from one of the conference's top teams. This should be a great game with a great opportunity for a young QB to make a huge statement. We just have to be careful not to get too far ahead of ourselves. This game provides a ton of opportunities for this young team to grow win or lose. The experience these young men will gain in this environment is going to be instrumental in their individual and team development. With Harris in the game the opposing defense has a few more things to be concerned about. More spread, less I formation (hopefully), a better running QB threat, and more of a potential for the defense to get stretched with the passing game. Harris can extend a play when it breaks down allowing receivers to find open space. That's great news for Dupre, Dural, Quin and Diarse. Auburn is 38th against the pass giving up over 222 yards per game. They are 15th against the run, surrendering 90 yards per game. Now we just need our D to stiffen up against the run. Auburn is tearing up the turf with over 260 yards per game balanced with 219 through the air. We will definitely need to control the run game without leaving our secondary stranded. Nothing comes easy in the SEC ...
My biggest hope is that now when Jennings does come in for a series or two , that tiger fans show him some respect and actually cheer him getting reps, the last thing we need is to disregard the kid and be a part of him loosing his confidence, we need to help support this kid.
Nobody hates Jennings. He's doing the best he can and be seems to be a good young man as far as we know. He's not as good at leading the team to success as Harris has been so far. Harris might not be great against a goodte either. But by both of their play so far, Harris is the better option. I think the team will definitely need both of them to have success this season. Maybe coming off the bench will make Jennings that much more determined to shine when he gets his opportunity. I hope so.
if we are being real, Jennings just doesnt have the arm to compete in the SEC, he would be a great MAC QB or somewhere like the MAC, his anticipation on routes is NFL like but he doesnt have the arm strength nor does he make the right reads. Its usually one read for Jennings, panic and try to run right now. im not saying he cant get better, but he needs time and thats what you dont have a lot of at any SEC program before the wolves show teeth.
Jennings can improve in time to where he is a serviceable backup but I just see star quality written all over Harris.
You can if you get to redshirt, be a reserve for a year, be a backup for a year, and start for two years like it was in the old days. But with the three-and-done NFL departures and the start-me-now-or-I-transfer mentality, top recruiting teams are going to be playing a lot of freshmen before they really understand the game and develop mental toughness.
Davey played well coming off the bench, so did Randall. But I agree with you and Red, AJ will be needed. It's a long season. By the way, off subject, but I met Red before the game on Saturday. If you get the opportunity, I recommend shaking hands with the tigerfan legend. I think you'll find he's not as curmudgeon-ish as his avatar states. Red, it was an absolute pleasure and best of luck to you. Rest assured I'll make my way back over to you next time I'm in town for a game. Thank you and your friends very much for your hospitality.
I think he has the arm, I think he has the wheels, I just don't think it's clicking for him in the mental game, he isn't picking up blitzes or reading defenses, he isn't able to go through his progressions quick enough, and I actually think the pressure got to him. There is no pressure when you're the backup, but knowing he had to go out and put up 60 points against NM he just crumbled under that pressure. Maybe this is what he needs. Some time to collect himself, learn from his mistakes on the field, and grind it out. The best thing he do right now is to push Brandon Harris and be a great teammate and everything I've seen from the kid tells me he will be just that.
