Quarterback Carousel Suits the Spartans Just Fine

Like many fellow Michigan State Spartan fans, I was quite wary when I first found out head coach Mark Dantonio had not picked a definitive starter for the team’s first game against Montana State.

Kirk Cousins had experience in the same offense last season, even getting playing time when he came in to spell former quarterback Brian Hoyer. Keith Nichol, on the other hand, had trouble outperforming the eventual Heisman-winning QB down in Oklahoma—Sam Bradford.

While Cousins seems to have the stronger and more accurate arm, Nichol is definitely the more mobile man under center. Different situations call for different types of players to step in and make plays, and that is exactly what Dantonio has done this entire season thus far.

Does it get nerve-wrecking at times? Sure, but it also has its positives.

Beyond the aforementioned differences in quarterback characteristics, both Cousins and Nichol can give defenses fits and surprise them as well. Putting Nichol in on a crucial 3rd-and-2 might give the defense the idea that Nichol will run for a first down himself, but he may end up rolling out and throwing the ball downfield.

Cousins is more of a vertical threat. Although his mobility is quite limited—to say the least—he has a certain pocket presence that instills confidence in his teammates, coaches, and fans. He can sling the ball downfield with his big arm or hit a receiver on a slant route, something he does more frequently than Nichol. Defenses know what’s coming from Cousins, but they still don’t know who he will throw to.

The problem with a dual-quarterback system involves blame. When Cousins drove the Spartans’ offense to a touchdown-scoring drive against Central Michigan in the second game, it seemed as if he was going to be the horse Dantonio was going to ride. But on the next drive, Nichols replaced Cousins and threw a bad interception. The team lost momentum, and ultimately, the game, so fingers were pointed all around.

Those sorts of things can happen when a team is losing, but if victories are being achieved then nobody seems to care. MSU started the season a dismal 1-3 in a year where many folks had big dreams for Sparty, especially after last season’s run. But now, as the team just defeated its biggest rival and now sits at .500, everybody is happy and the QB carousel keeps going in circles.

Like Dantonio has said over the course of the season: having two good quarterbacks is not a bad problem to have.