Connor Shaw Named Starting Quarterback in Season Opener for South Carolina Gamecocks

Connor Shaw is the guy.

For at least the first quarter.

Coach Steve Spurrier named Connor Shaw his starting quarterback for the season opener during “Carolina Calls” earlier Thursday evening. This comes as a bit of a surprise as the Gamecocks have a fifth-year quarterback in Stephen Garcia who was expected to be the starter all summer long. Garcia has had his issues here at South Carolina but he’s been the quarterback of some of the biggest wins and games in USC history and is closing in on several school passing records.

Why the change?

Spurrier says it’s because Connor Shaw has performed better than Stephen Garcia. I guess he’s been a bit better statistically over Garcia in the scrimmages this fall but it’s not by a wide margin. Experience should have won out with this decision. I have no problem whatsoever in Connor Shaw taking some snaps in this opening game. I don’t think I would have a problem with Connor Shaw getting a start later down the road if Stephen Garcia is playing poorly. I just don’t agree with Connor Shaw getting the start over Stephen Garcia.

Now Steve Spurrier is the head coach for a reason. He gets to make this decision. That doesn’t mean we can’t disagree with him from time to time.

Connor Shaw has proven to the Head Ball Coach that he’s ready. He’s done enough to beat out a fifth-year senior with 30 career starts in a season where the team is ranked in the Top 15 and expected win their division. It must mean he’s pretty good. We should be happy about that as Gamecock fans. The future looks bright for 2012 if Shaw is ready now.

But I think our future is right now in 2011. Stephen Garcia is still my choice as our best option at quarterback and I feel he gives us the best shot at the SEC Championship.

At this point, we all just have to support the team and whatever personnel we have out there and hope things work out for the best. If it’s Connor Shaw then that’s fantastic. If it ends up being Stephen Garcia then that’s great news. Either way, all I want to do is win.


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