BYU starting QB 2010

[JohnnyLingo]

Now that the 2009 season is effectively over (I can't get excited about another Vegas Bowl against another middling PAC-10 team that we will struggle against), let's look at the starting QB battle that will take place this spring.

Depending on how Heaps looks when he actually arrives at BYU, I'm all for giving him the job. The Cougars might win more games in 2010 with Nelson at the helm, but long term, I like Heaps' ceiling better. Not to mention the fact that he's got four years of eligibility and Nelson only has two. Or is it one? Didn't he burn a year transferring to the Y?

If Lark or Munns come out and blow everyone away, I'm fine with them taking over. It will be an interesting discussion, to be sure.

[falafel]

Now that the 2009 season is effectively over (I can't get excited about another Vegas Bowl against another middling PAC-10 team that we will struggle against), let's look at the starting QB battle that will take place this spring.

Depending on how Heaps looks when he actually arrives at BYU, I'm all for giving him the job. The Cougars might win more games in 2010 with Nelson at the helm, but long term, I like Heaps' ceiling better. Not to mention the fact that he's got four years of eligibility and Nelson only has two. Or is it one? Didn't he burn a year transferring to the Y?

If Lark or Munns come out and blow everyone away, I'm fine with them taking over. It will be an interesting discussion, to be sure.

I feel like it should be given to Heaps as well (assuming he's at least competent). 2010 is going be a down year anyway, might as well let the kid get his reps. Let's just hope it doesn't shatter his confidence.

Nelson didn't burn a year b/c he was sat out while on his mission.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Now that the 2009 season is effectively over (I can't get excited about another Vegas Bowl against another middling PAC-10 team that we will struggle against),

Sadly this is a year where the P10 is really good. The middling team we are going to play is going to be the best team that has probably the best team the P10 has ever sent to the Vegas Bowl, possible exception of 2003 Oregon State team with Steven Jackson.

Depending on how Heaps looks when he actually arrives at BYU, I'm all for giving him the job. The Cougars might win more games in 2010 with Nelson at the helm, but long term, I like Heaps' ceiling better. Not to mention the fact that he's got four years of eligibility and Nelson only has two. Or is it one? Didn't he burn a year transferring to the Y?

If Lark or Munns come out and blow everyone away, I'm fine with them taking over. It will be an interesting discussion, to be sure.

I think that next year would be a good chance to bring Heaps in as a relief pitcher type role. Someone else starts the first few games, knowing that Heaps is going to come in and take over. Then by the time we hit the heart of the MWC schedule Heaps can take over as starter.

[WashingtonCoug]

Is Nelson quick enough to run the wildcat? I think that could be his spot. I won't be surprised if Nelson starts the season and Heaps replaces him half way through the season like Cain/Wynn.

[Moliere]

I think that next year would be a good chance to bring Heaps in as a relief pitcher type role. Someone else starts the first few games, knowing that Heaps is going to come in and take over. Then by the time we hit the heart of the MWC schedule Heaps can take over as starter.

I agree. This would be similar to the Cain/Wynn situation. Although I would hope to not bring him in to face a TCUesque defense. Would be nice to get Heaps going early in the conference schedule.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

I agree. This would be similar to the Cain/Wynn situation. Although I would hope to not bring him in to face a TCUesque defense. Would be nice to get Heaps going early in the conference schedule.

Munns and Heaps are essentially on equal footing experience-wise, but Munns will have rust while Heaps will be just out of high school. If Unga comes back next year, the QB will be coming back into a good situation. The wideouts are back, four of the o-linemen are back and the all-conference RB would be back. I think most thinking fans will be patient with a true freshman QB given the level of inexperience or talent of the other options (Munns, Lark, Nelson).

I worry a bit more about the replacing the entire d line and three of the LBs.

[cougjunkie]

If Wynn can be somewhat successful I see no reason why Heaps cant do the same.

[Blueintheface]

If Wynn can be somewhat successful I see no reason why Heaps cant do the same.

That double standard will apply next fall for certain in Ute nation. It's what we Cougar fans expected from Wynn. If Cummard's little brother can do it, why not one of the highest recruited QBs in the country?

Wait, I just remembered...Wynn went 2-2 so maybe we were right and Heaps shouldn't start.

[Goatnapper'96]

Munns and Heaps are essentially on equal footing experience-wise, but Munns will have rust while Heaps will be just out of high school. If Unga comes back next year, the QB will be coming back into a good situation. The wideouts are back, four of the o-linemen are back and the all-conference RB would be back. I think most thinking fans will be patient with a true freshman QB given the level of inexperience or talent of the other options (Munns, Lark, Nelson).

I worry a bit more about the replacing the entire d line and three of the LBs.

I liked the Nelson wildcat comments. I wouldn't mind seeing Nelson in that role the next two years. I also agree with you about Unga. IMO, the starting qb is going to heavily influenced by Harvey's decision. If Harvey stays BYU has a reliable running threat that will take pressure off of the starting QB. While not as good a situation as I viewed Hall moving into as a 1st time starter in 2007, it is still a pretty good situation. The defense will not be as good as 2007's either. I think that perhaps a year when BYU loses 4 or 5 games, as I estimate 2010 to be, might be healthy for the program as a hole. I think a year like that with a true freshman qb who shows a lot of promise and improvement throughout the year would be a great way to build some momentum going into another good multi-year run.....

Those of you who really know football could comment, but I see that when you do not possess wide outs who are really athletic and can creat seperation there are two ways to compensate. One is a qb that is a running threat. The other is with a qb who has a very strong arm and doesn't need a great deal of seperation. I think with the two leaders for qb in 2010 BYU has an example of each. I think the upside is higher with Heaps/a strongarmed qb. It really opens up the playbook, even with the type of wr's BYU has, when you have a qb capable of throwing an 18 yard out from the other side of the field. DBs can't jump short routes and do the things we have seen the past two years done by the two good defenses BYU faced that were familiar with our schemes.

I really think the overall atmoshphere is right for BYU to allow a true freshman to cut his teethe at qb. Especially if the kid is really as good as advertised. Double especially if Harvey Unga sticks around for another year.

[DrumNFeather]

If Unga comes back, it would make sense to give Heaps the ball knowing that there is a stout running game to help him out. If Unga leaves, a Nelson/Diluigi spread option attack could be fun to watch.

[PaloAltoCougar]

I'm curious what Junkie's and others' predictions are as to the likelihood of Unga's return. With a returning OL (except for center), and the need to go easy on the pass, Unga could have a monster year.

And I hope it's not too lechy for a 57 year-old grandpa to have a Cuthbert birthday homage; I'm doing this for Fiyero, and I'm following Hall's stirring exhortation to build a better future.

[LiveCoug]

If Unga leaves, will Diluigi be the every down back? That scares me a bit...

I think Nelson will start the year and Heaps will end the year.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I am not Junkie, but I see no reason for Unga to come back. Of course I said this last year at this time. RB/FB only have so many hits in them at the NFL level where 30 years old is ancient.

Last year Harvey would have been a 3rd-5th round pick, this year he would probably be the same. I don't see anything he can do next year that will move him up into the big money rounds. I will be sad to see him go whenever it is though as he is one of my favorite Cougs.

[PaloAltoCougar]

I am not Junkie, but I see no reason for Unga to come back. Of course I said this last year at this time. RB/FB only have so many hits in them at the NFL level where 30 years old is ancient.

Last year Harvey would have been a 3rd-5th round pick, this year he would probably be the same. I don't see anything he can do next year that will move him up into the big money rounds. I will be sad to see him go whenever it is though as he is one of my favorite Cougs.

Regretfully, I agree with you.

[jay santos]

I am not Junkie, but I see no reason for Unga to come back. Of course I said this last year at this time. RB/FB only have so many hits in them at the NFL level where 30 years old is ancient.

Last year Harvey would have been a 3rd-5th round pick, this year he would probably be the same. I don't see anything he can do next year that will move him up into the big money rounds. I will be sad to see him go whenever it is though as he is one of my favorite Cougs.

I agree. His family is not rich. He's carried the ball a lot in college. I think he takes the paycheck even knowing another year might have helped his draft status by a few rounds. I don't have any inside insight, but I don't see him coming back.