South Carolina Football 2011: Why Connor Shaw Starting Is Not Shocking

OK, I admit it.  I am mildly surprised that Connor Shaw is starting the ECU game...especially after I made such a bold statement about Stephen Garcia.  I am not going to even bother linking you to it because I am going to treat it like certain Lucas Arts properties: not cannon.

However, I have a theory about this Shaw thing, and you can take it for what you will. 

Steve Spurrier explicitly stated prior to practices that he would play whichever quarterback played the best during scrimmages and practices.  In the back of his mind, I am positive he just assumed Garcia would be the the one outplaying the sophomore. 

When you have a fifth-year senior quarterback, you just assume as much. 

However, that wasn't the case. 

The sophomore quarterback was phenomenal all summer and spring.  He bulked up in the weight room.  He worked on his accuracy and footwork, and more importantly, he did what Garcia has refused to do in his five years as a Gamecock: He studied and increased his knowledge. 

Spurrier loves Shaw...that much is obvious.  He is a gym rat and a football film connoisseur.  He eats, sleeps and breathes football.  He is easy to coach, and everybody loves the guy. 

Then, on top of that, there were the scrimmage stat lines.  Shaw threw four touchdowns to one interception.  Garcia threw one touchdown to one interception.  Connor also had a higher completion percentage. 

Bottom line, Spurrier said he would play the quarterback who played the best during the preseason.  It was obviously Shaw. 

With Garcia starting the second quarter, Spurrier is giving Garcia one final chance to win his job.  If he gets outplayed by Shaw in this game, look for Garcia to become the best backup in the SEC.