Why Dabo Swinney Doesn't Have a Quarterback Controversy in Clemson

While some may think there is a quarterback controversy developing in Clemson, it’s actually the furthest thing from it.

Senior Cole Stoudt and true freshman Deshaun Watson have both received significant playing time through the first two games, but Scout.com indicates some are calling (subscription required) for Watson to be the starter over Stoudt.

Let’s look at the reasons why this is the least of the Tigers' worries.

Stoudt Hasn’t Done Anything That Warrants Less Playing Time

Having to replace a legend like Tajh Boyd, many analysts—such as College Football Talk's Kevin McGuire—weren't sold on this Stoudt-led offense, but Stoudt has clearly shown he is capable of leading this unit.

While he did miss a couple of passes against Georgia—and even a couple in Saturday’s matchup with South Carolina State—he has looked poised and confident as the leader of this offense. What else would you expect from a senior that has been in the system learning from one of the best?

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In the second half of the Georgia game, field position and sometimes questionable play-calling kept the Clemson offense from getting anything going.

By the numbers—15-of-28, 130 yards—the senior didn’t have the best day, but he made some sharp throws in the first half against the Bulldogs.

Watson’s solid performance on Saturday has caused some people to forget that Stoudt threw for over 300 yards in that game. He missed a couple of passes early on but never looked overwhelmed in the pocket, and he didn’t make any major mistakes.

Watson Can Help This Team as a Backup

While I will argue that Stoudt should be the unquestioned starter of this team, I’m not going to overlook the fact that Watson can really help this team as the backup.

We saw against Georgia how putting Watson in early helped energize the offense.

He gives you an element that Stoudt just can’t, and that’s running the zone read. Stoudt has proven he is more mobile than he’s given credit for, but he will never be able to run the zone read as effectively as Watson does.

Running that play forces the defense to make adjustments and can also afford the running back more room up the middle when the defense goes after the quarterback.

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Another thing to look at is the amount of playing time Watson receives in preparation for next season. The future looks very bright for this Tigers squad because of the recruiting successes under Dabo Swinney, so getting Watson prepared for next season’s challenges is also important.

Getting him reps against Georgia in the season opener—in one of college football’s toughest places to play—will pay off next season when he faces pressure situations.

Unlike Stoudt entering this season, Watson will have meaningful snaps under his belt when he takes over as the starter. Letting him play early against Florida State and South Carolina would only add to the experience for the young quarterback.

Coach Swinney Is Not Buying Into the So-Called Controversy

Swinney has made it clear that there is no quarterback controversy.

According to TigerNet.com’s David Hood, Swinney pointed that out to the media on Monday:

"

We're not going to have a controversy. The best player is going to play.

Cole Stoudt is our starter and that's just the way it is. If something changes, then it will change on the field through performance. It has not changed to this point. We knew coming in that at some point this would be all anyone wanted to talk about. All anyone ever wants to talk about is the backup quarterback. It doesn’t matter where you are or who you are, that’s the story. Cole Stoudt has played well for us. We know what we’re looking at and we know what we’re asking him to do. He hasn’t played perfect, but he’s played very well as the starter. It’s frustrating when people don’t want to recognize that.

"

Swinney also noted that he wasn't happy with how the fans handled the quarterback rotation Saturday against South Carolina State. "We don't listen to the fans. I do think it's sad when you have fans boo a player. I think that's really sad," he said.

Also, TigerNet.com points out which quarterback Swinney feels gives them the best chance to win against Florida State:

Making Watson the Starter Wouldn’t Change Anything in the Win Column

Just suppose Clemson makes Watson the starter. Would that change anything in the win column?

The answer is no. Making Watson the starter wouldn’t have changed the outcome of the Georgia game, and it won’t change the outcome of the matchup in two weeks with the Seminoles.

Going into an environment like the Tigers will see in Tallahassee, Florida, the offense will have to play without mistakes. While Watson hasn’t showed any signs of making mistakes yet, we have to remember that he was sitting in a high school classroom at this time last year.

In my opinion, Watson will go on to break all of Boyd’s passing records and will have a great career at Clemson, but putting him out there as the starter now is out of the question.

By the end of the season, maybe Watson will show that he deserves the job, but for now, there’s no quarterback controversy in Clemson.

Fans have opinions—and rightfully so—but the coaches have been around these two quarterbacks since the spring. They know the strengths and weaknesses of both guys, so fans have to trust that Swinney and offensive coordinator Chad Morris will do what is in the best interest of the team moving forward.