Who should UT start at quarterback vs. Alabama
KNOXVILLE — Coach Josh Heupel will take Tennessee to No. 4 Alabama with a quarterback plan. Which is it? That’s yet to be determined, or at least announced.
Hendon Hooker has turned out to be one of the SEC’S best quarterbacks since taking over the starting job five games ago, but he injured his leg in the loss to No. 12 Ole Miss last week.
Joe Milton started the first two games of the season and is listed as the backup on the depth chart, if that’s to be believed.
Harrison Bailey started three games as a freshman, but he’s thrown only seven passes in mop-up duty this season.
Here’s an argument to start or sit any of the three when UT (4-3, 2-2 SEC) plays Alabama (6-1, 3-1) on Saturday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Why Hooker should start
Heupel said Hooker is “day-to-day” and his injury is not long-term. It’s hard to believe he’s healthy enough to play this game. But assuming the injury looked worse than it was and he’s close to 100%, there’s no reason to throw in the towel against a rival. If Hooker is healthy, he should play.
Why Hooker shouldn’t start
This is the easiest argument since Peyton Manning’s Hall of Fame candidacy. Hooker is hurt. Alabama could hurt him more. And an off week is coming, when he could rest and perhaps recover for a pivotal game at No. 14 Kentucky on Nov. 6.
Why Milton should start
Despite overthrown deep passes and the gaffe on the last play against Ole Miss, Milton can move the ball to a reasonable degree. In 17 drives with Milton as the starter against Bowling Green and Pittsburgh, the offense scored nine times (six TDS, three field goals) and had only two three-and-out series.
Milton has shown he can complete short passes in succession. He can execute run-pass option plays to a serviceable degree. He has two rushing TDS, including a 54-yard run. And he hasn’t thrown an interception in 45 attempts this season. Milton isn’t ideal, but he’s functional.
Why Milton shouldn’t start
It’s been tried and failed, so why keep trying? Milton’s inaccuracy on deep passes can’t be fixed. He’s limited as a runner, especially against faster SEC defenders. As a decision maker, Milton running out of bounds after time expired against Ole Miss may be too much to overcome in being trusted in critical situations.
Why Bailey should start
This comes down to Bailey’s future with the Vols. Does Heupel think he can develop Bailey into UT’S starter one day? If so, this is an opportunity to demonstrate that to Bailey before he considers transferring after the season.
Milton already has shown that he won’t be the starter after Hooker, who has one season of eligibility after this one. And four-star prospect Tayven Jackson is committed to join the quarterback group as an early enrollee in the spring.
Give Bailey a chance and see what happens. Either he shows value as a serviceable backup, albeit in a different style of offense, or it solidifies him as the No. 3 quarterback and perhaps makes his offseason decision easier.
Why Bailey shouldn’t start
Forget next season. This is a rivalry game and a pivotal upcoming stretch to this season. The best quarterback should play, and coaches still think that’s Milton.
Plus, Bailey doesn’t fit this offense, which requires a dual-threat quarterback. Starting him would limit the playbook for an offense that’s gotten into a groove to rank 11th nationally in scoring at 39.3 points per game.