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Poll: Who should be the starting QB?

Since TA won't name the QB who does everybody think the starting QB will be a week from Friday?

  • Connor Bazelak

    Votes: 67 69.1%
  • Jack Tuttle

    Votes: 24 24.7%
  • Dexter Williams

    Votes: 2 2.1%
  • Other

    Votes: 4 4.1%

  • Total voters
    97
I've looked at this a number of ways. One way is that Bazelak wasn't good enough to beat out the Tuttle we saw play last season (which wasn't very good), so that just means Bazelak wasn't any good and IU will be looking at a long season with mediocre at best quaterbacking.

Or, Tuttle has really, really improved and is thriving with Walt Bell's system and he performed at a high level and beat out a very good quaterback in Bazelak in which case IU's season looks much brighter.

Bazelak winning the job doesn't tell us much though. If he won it, it could mean he is just slightly better than mediocre, also not conducive to a good season. But, it might mean he was really good and Tuttle was really good and the position will be in good hands.

Who knows.

But, none of this matters in the end. What was done in practice is meaningful only if it translates into high performance on the field during real games which we will see shortly anyway. If the starter doesn't perform, the loser in the starting competition will get his chance.

I hope whoever won the starting slot won it because he was a great performer who protected the ball and was very efficient in running a well performing offense using the new skill position players effectively. There is no doubt there is more speed at the skill spots so if we maybe, hopefully, somehow get an offensive line that can at least run block and pass block effectively some of the time (I have very low expectations), maybe the offense will be better.
 
Watch the MSU game last year. He can't see the field.

I am not declaring Tuttle is going to beast out, I am just willing to give him another viable shot. Connor's #'s don't blow me away either so if I were a betting man, I don't think either are going to be drastically different from the other. I am not saying its a good thing or a bad thing......but I am willing to wait and see.
 
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From reading the article about the players' meeting with TA after the PU game, it sounds like the team has rallied around Tuttle for off-season workouts. It would not surprise me if that carried over to the season . . .

. . . the focus shouldn't be on who "plays" the best . . . the focus should be on under whom the team performs best on the field. If that's Tuttle, then by all means, Tuttle should start. If that's Bazelak then by all means Baz should start. And if it's Williams, the by all means Dexter should start.

If we're gauging the QB based on individual stats, then we have the wrong metrics. It's the team stats that should matter most . . . and the most important team stat is wins/losses.
 
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From reading the article about the players' meeting with TA after the PU game, it sounds like the team has rallied around Tuttle for off-season workouts. It would not surprise me if that carried over to the season . . .

. . . the focus shouldn't be on who "plays" the best . . . the focus should be on under whom the team performs best on the field. If that's Tuttle, then by all means, Tuttle should start. If that's Bazelak then by all means Baz should start. And if it's Williams, the by all means Dexter should start.

If we're gauging the QB based on individual stats, then we have the wrong metrics. It's the team stats that should matter most . . . and the most important team stat is wins/losses.
If you think the players play better for one guy then your team really has problems. They didn't play better for him last year.
 
If you think the players play better for one guy then your team really has problems. They didn't play better for him last year.
You might be right about the "your team really has problems" part, but I do think players might play better for one guy over another.

The team really didn't respond to Penix at the beginning of last year either. My guess is that the team knew he wasn't ready at the start of the season.
 
I've looked at this a number of ways. One way is that Bazelak wasn't good enough to beat out the Tuttle we saw play last season (which wasn't very good), so that just means Bazelak wasn't any good and IU will be looking at a long season with mediocre at best quaterbacking.

Or, Tuttle has really, really improved and is thriving with Walt Bell's system and he performed at a high level and beat out a very good quaterback in Bazelak in which case IU's season looks much brighter.

Bazelak winning the job doesn't tell us much though. If he won it, it could mean he is just slightly better than mediocre, also not conducive to a good season. But, it might mean he was really good and Tuttle was really good and the position will be in good hands.

Who knows.

But, none of this matters in the end. What was done in practice is meaningful only if it translates into high performance on the field during real games which we will see shortly anyway. If the starter doesn't perform, the loser in the starting competition will get his chance.

I hope whoever won the starting slot won it because he was a great performer who protected the ball and was very efficient in running a well performing offense using the new skill position players effectively. There is no doubt there is more speed at the skill spots so if we maybe, hopefully, somehow get an offensive line that can at least run block and pass block effectively some of the time (I have very low expectations), maybe the offense will be better.

Bazelak would have had to have significantly regressed for scenario 1 to hold true. He’s made 20 career starts and put up good numbers in the SEC. He was far from mediocre. Turnovers were the one cause for concern in my opinion, but maybe his lack of mobility gave the nod to Tuttle.

The Tuttle I saw last year doesn’t give me much optimism if that’s who we’re rolling with right off the bat. Coaches clearly saw something in Tuttle that they didn’t in Bazelak but really hope the leash isn’t long if QB play doesn’t improve tenfold. Bad QB play will lead to another 2-10 like season in a hurry.
 
You might be right about the "your team really has problems" part, but I do think players might play better for one guy over another.

The team really didn't respond to Penix at the beginning of last year either. My guess is that the team knew he wasn't ready at the start of the season.
I think this is a wild take. If Allen starts Tuttle that will be admitting the team didn't go out and recruit a better QB. You have nothing else to go on but career performance and stats in a game. CTA went through the entire scenario of how they evaluated all the statistics in practice and that CB throws a very catchable ball in the correct spots. He only says that Tuttle prepares very well and is a great leader. The team actually quit last year after the Maryland game. The defense was maxed out.
 
I'm certain QB play this season will be better than last season. That doesn't promise much but it is the only fact I can wring out of this till the 1st quarter against the Illini is played. 1 other thing I'm looking forward to; we'll have a play caller on defense and offense who'll make in game adjustments. That outside of talent has so much to do with W/L.
 
All we know is that our baseline is Tuttle with another year of experience under his belt. Whether CB falls above or below that we will know soon enough.

I think success will ride or die more on the line and our ability to block (and the ability of the WRs and RBs to block as well).
 
Bazelak would have had to have significantly regressed for scenario 1 to hold true. He’s made 20 career starts and put up good numbers in the SEC. He was far from mediocre. Turnovers were the one cause for concern in my opinion, but maybe his lack of mobility gave the nod to Tuttle.

The Tuttle I saw last year doesn’t give me much optimism if that’s who we’re rolling with right off the bat. Coaches clearly saw something in Tuttle that they didn’t in Bazelak but really hope the leash isn’t long if QB play doesn’t improve tenfold. Bad QB play will lead to another 2-10 like season in a hurry.
We have to flush 2020 as no QB looked good under Sheridan, in fact the bet one was a walk-on and he didn't light the B1G up.

Speculation will end in another week as Friday night next week Illinois will show us what this team is capable of. I have to say I am excited to see some of the new skill players and how the defense responds to coach Allen calling defenses.
 
If CTA didn’t pursue CB with the clear intention of him being the starter he should not have pursued him.
He knew what he had in Tuttle,don’t bring in a kid who could start for probably half the D1 schools in country to hold a clip board,it’s not fair to the kid. Just my 2 cents,I’m sure it won’t be a popular opinion and I’m ok with that.Tuttle is a good back up B10 QB,it is what it is.
 
If CTA didn’t pursue CB with the clear intention of him being the starter he should not have pursued him.
He knew what he had in Tuttle,don’t bring in a kid who could start for probably half the D1 schools in country to hold a clip board,it’s not fair to the kid. Just my 2 cents,I’m sure it won’t be a popular opinion and I’m ok with that.Tuttle is a good back up B10 QB,it is what it is.

CTA has to worry about depth. Also having competition helps push everyone to improve so there was plenty of reasons for CTA to bring in more QBs.

Fair? We don't know what CTA said to CB but I bet it was that he would have the opportunity to compete for the starting job. Not that he would be given the starting job. Maybe CB thought IU was his best shot at getting the starting job.

Just giving the job to one QB would be unfair to every other QB. Would it be fair to Tuttle to say, "sorry but I'm just going to give the QB to CB because he's the newest QB on the team. I know you transferred here as well but you're old news now"?
 
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CTA has to worry about depth. Also having competition helps push everyone to improve so there was plenty of reasons for CTA to bring in more QBs.

Fair? We don't know what CTA said to CB but I bet it was that he would have the opportunity to compete for the starting job. Not that he would be given the starting job. Maybe CB thought IU was his best shot at getting the starting job.

Just giving the job to one QB would be unfair to every other QB. Would it be fair to Tuttle to say, "sorry but I'm just going to give the QB to CB because he's the newest QB on the team. I know you transferred here as well but you're old news now"?
All good points,you know what they say about opinions and I stick by mine.
I hope I’m wrong,will be finding out soon.
 
I wonder where CB’s next school will be? He didn’t leave Mizzou to hold a clipboard at IU.
To be clear…..I am 100% in favor of ”may the best man win” but we already know what CB did when his playing time was threatened before. I hope he handles this well.
 
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I wonder where CB’s next school will be? He didn’t leave Mizzou to hold a clipboard at IU.
To be clear…..I am 100% in favor of ”may the best man win” but we already know what CB did when his playing time was threatened before. I hope he handles this well.
^this^
 
If CTA didn’t pursue CB with the clear intention of him being the starter he should not have pursued him.
He knew what he had in Tuttle,don’t bring in a kid who could start for probably half the D1 schools in country to hold a clip board,it’s not fair to the kid. Just my 2 cents,I’m sure it won’t be a popular opinion and I’m ok with that.Tuttle is a good back up B10 QB,it is what it is.
We haven't seen Tuttle with a good coach so you have no idea how good he can be. None of the QBs are as good as Penix but even Mizzou fans were unhappy with Bazelak the year after being named SEC freshman of the year. So the way you see the QB race is biased but that is your prerogative. Tuttle wins the job then he will show what he can do in this offense.
 
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We haven't seen Tuttle with a good coach so you have no idea how good he can be. None of the QBs are as good as Penix but even Mizzou fans were unhappy with Bazelak the year after being named SEC freshman of the year. So the way you see the QB race is biased but that is your prerogative. Tuttle wins the job then he will show what he can do in this offense.
I thought it was clear the starter role would be won in practice. Protecting the football was a point of emphasis in this competition. I think the coaching staff can be relied upon to be honest brokers (and following their best interest) when they made their choice for this season.
 
If CTA didn’t pursue CB with the clear intention of him being the starter he should not have pursued him.
He knew what he had in Tuttle,don’t bring in a kid who could start for probably half the D1 schools in country to hold a clip board,it’s not fair to the kid. Just my 2 cents,I’m sure it won’t be a popular opinion and I’m ok with that.Tuttle is a good back up B10 QB,it is what it is.
Exactly.
 
We haven't seen Tuttle with a good coach so you have no idea how good he can be. None of the QBs are as good as Penix but even Mizzou fans were unhappy with Bazelak the year after being named SEC freshman of the year. So the way you see the QB race is biased but that is your prerogative. Tuttle wins the job then he will show what he can do in this offense.
He hasn't played under a supposed good coach because he doesn't beat anyone out.
 
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In the end, I don't really "care". Just want solid play. I voted for Baz, because I'm at a point where I'm more intrigued by the potential of a solid starter against SEC level defenses, which Baz proved he was...than what we've seen from Tuttle, against B10 level competition. Bazelak was better against his SEC schedule, than Tuttle was against his B10 schedule... That's essentially what's driving my thoughts right now.

But if Tuttle starts, that's cool. Hope he does well!
 
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If CTA didn’t pursue CB with the clear intention of him being the starter he should not have pursued him.
He knew what he had in Tuttle,don’t bring in a kid who could start for probably half the D1 schools in country to hold a clip board,it’s not fair to the kid. Just my 2 cents,I’m sure it won’t be a popular opinion and I’m ok with that.Tuttle is a good back up B10 QB,it is what it is.
He pursued him with the clear intention that CB would both improve the position and earn the starting spot. The failure to look after that position was the key issue that cost Sheridan his job. It wasn’t poor play calling, it wasn’t a lack of adjustments, it was failing to adequately “staff” and develop the quarterback room to the level needed to field a winning program. Period.

As for CB, I’ve said for awhile now that no decision had been made regarding the starter, and that’s likely been proved true if JT is the guy. They hoped CB would separate himself in the Spring, but it never happened. People didn’t like hearing that, but it was true.

Let’s catch our collective breaths and see how this sorts out.

Go Hoosiers.
 
He pursued him with the clear intention that CB would both improve the position and earn the starting spot. The failure to look after that position was the key issue that cost Sheridan his job. It wasn’t poor play calling, it wasn’t a lack of adjustments, it was failing to adequately “staff” and develop the quarterback room to the level needed to field a winning program. Period.

As for CB, I’ve said for awhile now that no decision had been made regarding the starter, and that’s likely been proved true if JT is the guy. They hoped CB would separate himself in the Spring, but it never happened. People didn’t like hearing that, but it was true.

Let’s catch our collective breaths and see how this sorts out.

Go Hoosiers.
I think that CTA pursued Bazelak because Michael Penix entered the transfer portal on December 5, 2021, thereby leaving IU with only 3 nonfreshman scholarship QBs, with McCulley being one and looking like he'd be best suited at another position.

And my guess is that Walt Bell is making this decision, not CTA. I'm guessing Bell is HC of the offense . . . .
 
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I wonder where CB’s next school will be? He didn’t leave Mizzou to hold a clipboard at IU.
To be clear…..I am 100% in favor of ”may the best man win” but we already know what CB did when his playing time was threatened before. I hope he handles this well.
If he can't start for IU, I am fairly confident he will realize he has room for improvement. Plus, he just used his free transfer so I believe the next one will require he sit out a year.
 
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I think that CTA pursued Bazelak because Michael Penix entered the transfer portal on December 5, 2021, thereby leaving IU with only 3 nonfreshman scholarship QBs, with McCulley being one and looking like he'd be best suited at another position.

And my guess is that Walt Bell is making this decision, not CTA. I'm guessing Bell is HC of the offense . . . .
Even if Penix stayed, they knew what they had in DM, and they knew it was an injury riddled position. They second guessed themselves for not getting a portal guy a year earlier after DW got hurt in the Spring, and they weren’t going to make that mistake again. They were going for someone no matter what.

As for the decision, it’s both Bell and Allen. TA has never had much involvement with the offense at all, and he’s freely admitted that. But he can’t be a bystander on something like this any longer.
 
If CTA didn’t pursue CB with the clear intention of him being the starter he should not have pursued him.
He knew what he had in Tuttle,don’t bring in a kid who could start for probably half the D1 schools in country to hold a clip board,it’s not fair to the kid. Just my 2 cents,I’m sure it won’t be a popular opinion and I’m ok with that.Tuttle is a good back up B10 QB,it is what it is.
If Tuttle starts, it won’t be long before he‘s out of the starting lineup. I just don’t think he has the tools to make a difference.
 
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He hasn't played under a supposed good coach because he doesn't beat anyone out.
Why did we see Sheridan fired, QBs didn't do well with him after the first drive. His first year he was going against Penix and Ramsey do you think Deboer was move him up against them?
 
Whoever it is, he better be on top of his game. This season hinges on the offense performing at a respectable level. We'll probably know where we stand after the first quarter next Friday, just like we did last year.
 
I just know that Drinkwitz opened up competition for his position and he was replaced prior to the bowl game, and then he announced he was leaving within 24 hours of the conclusion of the game. Are you saying he was going to be the starter and believed that to be true, yet chose to leave anyway?
Yes
 
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I do
The player I've never seen or the one we saw for part of a season? The secrecy is annoying. The lack of a spring game and no clear favorite isn't a sign of strength. If it is truly too close to call, give them both a chance to play in real game experience and pick the best performer.

My guess is Bazelak. Tuttle should have already been named as the returning player if he is the best option. I really don't care as long as the best player wins.
I do not see the secrecy reason either.
1. He said the #1 will be reflected in snaps starting Thursday, so easy enough to know.
2. Their friends by way of their demeanor should know. Should leak.
3. I can appreciate hiding the starter from your opponent if they are two different styles but our two are both passers and not dual threat.
4. He shared with both QBs, but what about the team? They will find out by snaps and QB behavior.
Maybe I am missing something.
 
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Why did we see Sheridan fired, QBs didn't do well with him after the first drive. His first year he was going against Penix and Ramsey do you think Deboer was move him up against them?
Sheridan had a decent pedigree on paper but couldn't get it done with a headset on. Allen had to step in and try to run the offense last season and that is not his strength. We suffered on both sides of the ball because of it. He is gone, hopefully we have a superior man in place and TA can retuen to the defense as he has made clear.
 
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