Coach: Florida Gators can win with either quarterback

GAINESVILLE -- Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel are the same. The competition between the two Florida sophomore quarterbacks is dead-even. There has been no separation, and the Gators can win with either one.

That has been the message from coach Will Muschamp, other members of the staff and the players, dating all the way back to spring practice.

But the reality is that a decision must be made at some point.

Brissett, the West Palm Beach Dwyer product, got the first leg up in the competition when Driskel sustained a bruise to his shoulder and missed practice Monday.

Instead of Driskel getting necessary reps in new offensive coordinator Brent Pease?s complex offense, Brissett took the bulk of the snaps.

?When you get more reps you know it?s going to make you better naturally because you?re seeing more things,? Pease said.

Driskel returned to practice Tuesday and has been receiving the same amount of reps as before the shoulder injury.

Pease would not say there has been any separation between the two, adding that the battle has been back and forth and both need to continue to progress before a decision can be made.

?It?s been up and down,? he said. ?They both have gotten better in all aspects of their game, and that?s the main thing. If they can get better to where they both can manage and make plays, then that?s really what we?re striving for.?

Muschamp said both quarterbacks did positive things in UF?s team scrimmage last week, pointing out that each managed the huddle and the pre-snap adjustments well.

But pocket presence and learning when to get rid of the ball when faced with a negative play remain issues.

When it comes to choosing between the two, players have toed the company line in interviews, redirecting questions to Muschamp or simply saying that both are good enough to win with. Although the situation could naturally create a division in the locker room, Pease said there hasn?t been any of that so far.

?The players are about team,? he said. ?This isn?t a buddy contest here. There?s nothing to speak on that. They understand this is about the team.?

Even the quarterbacks themselves have only positive things to say about the other.

Brissett, at UF?s media day, said, ?Both of us can win a national championship with this offense.?

Said Driskel: ?Two talented guys are going to compete against each other and always try to get better. It?s been good for the whole team.?

Driskel and Brissett were both highly touted recruits who played as freshmen last season, and coaches insist their attributes are similar enough that hardly anything changes with the offense from one to the other. So, then, how will a decision be made?

With similar skill sets, presence in the huddle, managing the clock and making proper decisions with the ball are all that separate the two.

Muschamp said last week he wants to see how those things develop through at least three scrimmages before thinking about making a decision.

The first was last Saturday. Another happened Friday, with two more scheduled before Florida opens the season against Bowling Green on Sept.?1.

Pease said Friday that the process for choosing between the two will come down to a discussion between himself and Muschamp.

?I give him my feedback on how guys perform, and I think as a head coach, he?s always watching and evaluating from really a defensive standpoint,? Pease said.

But just as Muschamp controls the public message concerning UF?s most important position battle, he also has the final say.

?I think it?s a 50-50 deal,? Pease said before backing off a bit. ?It?s probably a little bit more of a 51-49 his decision. He?s the head coach.?

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/18/2956797/coach-florida-gators-can-win-with.html

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