Garcia VS Shaw

Let the QB battle begin! You can bet your ass there will be one.

Everyone knows that the backup QB is always the big man on campus. Everyone also knows that Spurrier uses his back up QB to push the starter to be better with threats of losing the starting job. This QB battle goes deeper than that my friend. More than anyone realizes yet.

You see, Connor Shaw has topped Garcia on nearly every single aspect of the QB position since spring camp. Examples: decision making by getting the ball to the right WR, accuracy, taken less sacks, faster/quicker on his feet scrambling and taking off for a run, ect. These things may very well push Shaw above Garcia on the depth chart come Thursday night against USM.

Sure, Shaw is a true frosh but he has been there since the spring. He grasped the playbook very quickly. His dad was his high school HC and he has been around football since he was in pampers. He is a very serious young man, mature way beyond his young age. The kid rarely cracks a smile during interviews. You can see focus in his eyes.

Should Spurrier go with the more experienced Garcia when he clearly hasn't been the best QB since Shaw stepped foot on campus? Should Shaw not start just because he has the true freshman label? That will be for Spurrier to decide, and Shaw is making Spurrier's decision easier every time Shaw takes a snap in practice.

Its hard to feel bad for Garcia. He has had ample opportunities to be the starter. He has the tools to be a damn good SEC QB. What he lacks is the kind of focus that Shaw brings to the table. It can't be proven but you get the sense that Garcia hasn't put in the extra work required of him to be a successful SEC QB. Shaw has, and more.

It almost seems like Spurrier is laughing inside during his post practice interviews. He's thinking "these guys think this is regular Old Ball Coach speak, but Shaw is the best guy. I will sit Garcia on his ass."

I guess the world will know on thursday night..