After most of the media picked Florida to win the season opener, Miami came close to proving them wrong. However, with sloppy play on both sides and a porous Miami offensive line, Florida left Camping World Stadium 1-0. Even though Jarren Williams played well, it begs the question: was the best QB the wrong choice for the Canes?
How the Best QB Performed
Jarren Williams was far from perfect during the game. However, he did enough for the Canes to win, going 19-29 for 214 yards and a TD. Saying Jarren was “far from perfect” is unfair, given Miami’s horrendous offensive line play, surrendering 10 sacks. The constant pressure also kept Williams in check on the ground game. These sacks were the result of quick pressure and not Williams holding onto the ball too long, and he finished the game (officially) with 14 rush attempts for -44 yards. Before the coaching staff looks at changing things around, they also have to look at how much of the issue is Florida’s defense.
Does Florida Have the Best Pass Rush in a Decade?
In Saturday night’s game, Florida recorded the most sacks they have since 1987, and the most for an SEC team since Ole Miss beat Mississippi State in 2008. This is eye popping considering some of the great defenses that the SEC has had over the past decade. Ranging from Alabama in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2015 to Florida in 2012 and LSU in 2011. Is this Gators team about to join this list of great defenses? To put it simply, no. This is not to say they won’t be good, as the Gators will have to rely on them if Feleipe Franks plays like he did last night (two interceptions) and the offense keeps fumbling the ball. While Florida’s defense saved them the other night, in my mind the sacks are more of a symptom of Miami’s poor offensive line.
How the Worse QB Comes into Play
It made national news when Ohio State transfer Tate Martell lost the starting job to Williams. Instead of transferring again, Tate started working out at WR. This is because while being recruited, Martell ran a 4.72 40 with a 3.96 20 yard shuttle. Jarren Williams is also athletic, posting a 4.83 40 with a relatively pedestrian 4.45 20 yard shuttle. Tate’s superior ability to change directions and being generally more explosive would help negate some poor line play. This puts Miami coach Manny Diaz in a very tough spot.
What Should the Hurricanes Do?
It would not be a good look for Diaz to switch quarterbacks after one game. With that being said, Manny Diaz shouldn’t care if it looks good. People reading this will think, “Williams got sacked ten times, Tate Martell wouldn’t get out of all of those.” They would be right. Tate Martell would take his licks. However, Miami only lost by four. If Tate Martell only got sacked seven times, that could easily change the outcome of the game. If you want to compare passing ability, then that’s fine. However, Tate Martell can pass well, going 6-10 for 154 yards and two TDs against the first team defense during the U’s spring game. Williams is still a slightly better passer, but Martell is more athletic. This should cause Manny Diaz to take a look at answering, “was the best QB the wrong choice?”
The answer is clear, and Manny Diaz should have gone with Tate Martell from the start. Solely for his play on the field… no other reason… definitely not his girlfriend.
