The  TCI staff of  Ed McGranahan, Hale McGranahan, Will Vandervort, William Qualkinbush and Robert MacRae go Around the Horn to answer some of the questions surrounding Clemson athletics and college football.

Which quarterback is better to lead the Clemson offense right now — Cole Stoudt or Deshaun Watson? Also, do you expect Watson to become the starter later this season?

Robert MacRae:  “Right now, meaning the SC State game, Stoudt deserves the start.  There is not enough evidence yet to make another move.  Both Stoudt and Watson should see significant playing time Saturday.  We will have more data to evaluate and compare the two after that.  Unless Stoudt gets hurt of just plays terrible Saturday he will be the starter when Clemson travels to Florida State.   By the time the Tigers complete the Florida State game this question will be much easier to answer.   Cole is working hard to correct problems getting the ball accurately down the field.  Two things we know about Watson is that he can throw the ball down the field and he is a much better runner at QB.  That gives the offense two major weapons that are needed for the offense to reach their full potential.  Cole has the experience advantage although not as the starter.  Watson will gain some experience over the next few games and be more comfortable in the offense as the season progresses.  If Cole plays well he will keep the job, but if he stumbles look for Watson to get his shot later this season.  Coach Morris is not going to keep his Cadillac on the sidelines if Cole is not getting the job done.  Clemson needs to play the quarterback that gives the team the best chance to win.  It should be fun to watch.”

Ed McGranahan: “If you’re ready to write off the season, go ahead. Nothing Cole Stoudt did in the Georgia game merits benching him for Deshaun Watson. Is Watson more athletic with more raw skill? Yes, but how can you justify making a change now after all the work that went into preparing Stoudt to be the starter? Want to create a quarterback controversy? Start Watson. Frankly, I don’t know how anybody can suggest a change based on the small sample of evidence. Would I be surprised if Watson doesn’t play more this week than Stoudt? Yes. Would I be stunned if Watson starts in Tallahassee? Knock me over with a feather. Would I be surprised if Watson isn’t the starter by the sixth or seventh game? That depends on the team’s record and the emergence of playmakers at running back, receiver and tight end. None of that has anything to do with who’s getting the snaps at quarterback. Two or three more losses, back against the wall? Yeah, I’ll concede it’s time. Until then, give me a break.”

William Qualkinbush: “I think it’s reasonable to get excited about Deshaun Watson’s first drive ever at the collegiate level. The touchdown throw he made was right on the money, and it wasn’t the only one. But I also think it’s unreasonable to pretend his other two drives didn’t happen. In their haste to anoint Watson the “Chosen One”, fans are forgetting his two average-or-worse drives in the second half. The kid is immensely talented and showed tremendous poise, but I also think Cole Stoudt played well enough in his own right to keep the starting job.

It also makes sense for Dabo Swinney to hold Watson back this year, even if his playing time increases. He could make it closer to a 50-50 proposition without removing Stoudt from the starting role, which could cause an issue unless Stoudt plays poorly enough to warrant that in the eyes of most observers. This way, Watson can continue to grow and impact the team on a regular basis without being saddled with the responsibility of being a starter. For the record, I think he could handle it, but with this much talent, I’d rather keep things the way they’ve been and see if the team can still grow together. This means, barring injury, Stoudt should start every game for the rest of the season.“

Will Vandervort: “I think right now Cole Stoudt is the better option to lead the offense. To me he showed good poise in what was a tough, hostile atmosphere. People are forgetting how good he looked in that opening 12-play drive that covered 70 yards and resulted in a touchdown. He also led another long drive for a score in the second quarter and there should have been a third had Ammon Lakip made his 35-yard attempt. Remember, he had four passes that were dropped on the first three possessions of the game. His 3-for-10 start should have been 7-for-10. Also, he was not the reason the offense struggled in the second half. Deshaun Watson looked good on his first drive and those two passes he made on that drive were excellent. But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves, though. Watson is going to eventually be the starter. He might be this year. I don’t know. But like Dabo Swinney said on Wednesday, Stoudt has done nothing that says you should take away the job. Watson may be the better player, but right now Stoudt is the better option.”

Hale McGranahan: “I’d rather answer this question after the Florida State game. Until then, go with a two-quarterback system. I’m interested to see how things shake out with Stoudt and Watson getting game reps with the first-team offense. Keep Stoudt as “the starter” and increase Watson’s work load in the game plan, give both guys a role in the offense, then reevaluate things after the trip to Tallahassee.”

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