šŸˆ UVa Football Preseason 24

Choosing to believe this means they haven’t made up their mind at QB since neither is on the poster.

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They have not. Everything I’ve heard ia it’s a legit battle that is ongoing. I have a feeling we’ll see somw sort of platoon system. CTE did something similar a few times at clemson as young guys broke in

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My guess is if Muskett wins the job outright they’ll make Frakes the backup and try to redshirt AC. Then pray he doesn’t decide to test the portal this offseason (have heard he’s very much bought into our program but a lot can change over the course of a season).

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I might just be too high on Muskett but I’m hoping AC10 can redshirt this year

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The way I view it, the floor is likely higher with Muskett and the ceiling is likely higher with AC. Probably a little too simplistic but I think Muskett’s general success as a QB is gonna come down to play design, which was generally pretty good last year albeit more conservative than you’d like to see (behind a terrible OL that’s bound to happen). He’s a very competent game manager with some veteran toughness and edge, if we had more overall talent and depth I think you place him confidently as QB1 and could reasonably expect him to get you to an 8-9 win season in the ACC. But with the roster we currently have I think you’re headed for a 4-5 win season with a chance at 6, which is a small step in the right direction but not enough of one to really gain any excitement around the program.

With AC you’re gonna get some bad decisions and potentially some drives stalling out before they even begin, but you’re also gonna be able to open up the run/RPO game up given he’s more of a true dual threat as well as the ability to extend some plays when the pocket breaks down. The question becomes whether or not the tradeoff is worth it at this stage, the weapons at RB and WR look pretty good on paper but not so good as to feeling like you’re gonna have an advantage against the vast majority of P5 defenses. The OL as of right now could be passable but we’re another injury or two away from that no longer being true. So with that in mind do you take the risk on the guy with the higher ceiling, hoping he can elevate the team past what they might be capable with Muskett under center? If all goes wrong you risk the bottom falling out under the season and AC having his confidence broken, but the hope is he continues to grow as the season goes along and you’re left with some actual momentum heading into the following two years. Tough conundrum for the coaching staff.

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I lean towards Muskett as my preference to start this season. I agree with @UVApride7 on the floor vs ceiling comparison.

Not that I think a coach should listen to fans but if the staff goes with Muskett they have to have early success. Because AC is the obvious fan favorite to the point and a slow start will have the fans all over thr staff and Muskett.

Its interesting because statwise they are basically identical despite being very different QBs. It may come down to playing style ans what best fits the team. I think Muskett gives the team more flexibility and fits the current personnel a little better.

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The floor for the whole team is so low that I feel like you need to at least try and roll the dice on the high ceiling guy. Muskett playing soundly on the way to 4 wins doesn’t do anything, not like it’s anything for him to build on developmentally for next season.

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I think Muskett wins the starting QB job because of his maturity and calm leadership, but there’s no way AC10 redshirts. CTE will sub him in if Muskett starts slinging INTs, and it’s only a matter of time before our somewhat porous OL allows him to get pummeled. It will be interesting to see who gets more snaps. My money is on Colandrea.

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I get what you guys are saying but Muskett was the QB who went in and beat a Top 10 team on the road in a prime time game. I don’t think the ceilings are all that different, especially if given a competent OL…

I just want there to be a long term vision with AC10. 3 full seasons with him vs just 2 more. From all accounts he’s completely bought in so there shouldn’t be too much worry of losing him. Sure, it’s hard for this staff to think that way given it’s unclear if they’d be around to see it out, but it’s still a move I hope they make. Set the program itself up for future success.

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My feeling is that Muskett gives the staff a sense of steadiness that they like. They could try to RS AC but how likely is it that Muskett won’t be knocked out for a significant number of games? And, of course, AC can play in up to 4? games without burning his RS.

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Absolutely Jay. Muskett staying healthy is the rough waters they may have to face… if he gets hurts 100% no question play AC. But if you can keep him upright, why waste a year of eligibility? He can play 4 games and still redshirt. Use as needed, if needed.

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Normally I am all for this. But I’m not sure that’s possible in today’s transfer portal age, especially with a staff that has no guaranteed future.

I think they should trot out Muskett to start, He provides a steady hand and beyond that he’s legit good. If he falters or looks shaky then you make the move to AC.

But I wonder whoever wins the job wins it due to who is around them more than what they are actually capable of?

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It’s cool that the athletics staff is on LRA. Props to the marketing team, this was nicely done.

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I also think that starting AC and then having the bench him for Muskett will be more of a blow to the team and fanbase psyche than starting Muskett and later benching him for AC which might actually give a positive uplift to the team.

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I think a lot of people assume Muskett is the ā€œsafeā€ choice but he made some really costly mistakes as well. The Miami pick 6 was soul crushing. He also had a brutal pick on a poorly thrown fade at the goal line vs UNC. He responded well to his mistakes but I feel like most of AC’s blunders resulted in basically long arm punts down the field. If our defense is improved, we can probably afford those assuming AC makes up for them with stellar playmaking.

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I just don’t see what reason AC would have to transfer that would be changed by Muskett… if he had an issue with his presence he would’ve left before this season. I think the program and AC both benefit from him potentially getting an extra season, whereas the coaching staff may not…

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Muskett also eats sacks for breakfast

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That came out very poorly. He gets sacked a lot.

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This is going to sound dumb, but I think you play whichever is the better QB right now. This staff does not have the luxury of planning too much for the out years if they don’t start winning some games now. One more theoretical year of Colandrea three years down the road isn’t something that should influence any decisions right now.

I personally like Colandrea more as I think he gives us a higher ceiling and is fearless - which you need when we’re going to be behind a fair amount and the o-line is probably going to struggle for a while. But obviously I’m not in practice so I don’t know what things are looking like right now.

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I agree, and as a gambling man I would not bet on AC transferring out. However, I don’t believe in absolutes so I leave myself a little wiggle room and say AC could transfer. Maybe he gets homesick for his HS sweetheart. I dunno

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