South Carolina football: is a quarterback controversy brewing in Columbia?

South Carolina football may think about playing a new QB vs. Texas A&M.

South Carolina is coming off of its worst loss of the season, a 52-24 thumping at the hands of defending national champion LSU. In the game, little went right for the Gamecocks, as the Tigers jumped out to a 21-point first half lead and never looked back.

Collin Hill, the South Carolina quarterback over the first five games of the season, played probably his worst game in a Gamecock uniform, completing just 54% of his passes and throwing his second pick six of the year. His completion percentage has gone down in each of his last two performances, and he’s been sacked a league-leading 16 times.

It’s got folks around South Carolina football asking about a change at the helm.

Behind Hill on the depth chart are sophomore signal caller Ryan Hilinski and freshman newcomer Luke Doty. A case can be made for each to assume the role as starter. Let’s start with Hilinski.

HILINSKI’S CASE

Hilinski has experience, and he’s played well in some big games. The California native threw for over 300 yards against Alabama in his first SEC performance, and helped the Gamecocks knock off Georgia in Athens. He’s been battle tested in the Southeastern Conference and has proven to be a strong leader for the South Carolina football program.

Hilinski is also more of a gunslinger than Hill, who operates mostly as a game manager. That mentality can lead to mistakes but it can also provide a spark and swagger to a unit that’s in desperate need. Throughout the offseason, we heard that Hilinski and Hill were neck and neck in the race for the starting job. With an extra week to prepare, why not give Hilinski his opportunity?

WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN

Hilinski, much like Hill, isn’t very mobile. That immobility caused Hilinski to be sacked 19 times last season, which led to his missing time throughout the year with injuries. With the offensive line struggling to protect its current signal caller, it wouldn’t make much sense to essentially put the younger version of its current quarterback in the lineup.

Hilinski also struggled mightily down the stretch, completing more than 60% of his passes just once over his final six outings. That type of inconsistency likely wouldn’t change the production of the offense.

DOTY’S CASE

Doty came into the year with a great deal of hype, and he made a fantastic impression on the coaching staff over the offseason. In fact, his athleticism has allowed him to crack the lineup as a wide receiver at times this year.

That athleticism and ability to get outside of the pocket may be just what the Gamecocks need as they’ve allowed the most sacks in the conference this year. It would also provide the team with a glimpse into the future.

WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN

Inexperience in the SEC usually doesn’t go well for quarterbacks. Look no further than Ryan Hilinski for proof. Collin Hill is experienced and knows the offense back and front after having spent the last four seasons with Mike Bobo. Doty doesn’t have that luxury.

The inexperience would likely cause the playbook to be condensed, eliminating some of the things that the current group can do. Tossing Doty to the wolves may have an effect on the youngster’s confidence and would cause the offense to look even more inept than it did last week.

FINAL VERDICT

With an off week ahead of their next matchup with Texas A&M, the Gamecocks will be hearing the chatter from the fanbase for the next two weeks. For now, we’re expecting Hill to remain in the lineup when the team returns from its bye, and coach Muschamp reiterated that on Sunday.

"“We’re going to give Ryan and Luke a bunch of reps this week, along with Collin, and we feel like Collin gives us the best chance to win right now.”"

The competition at quarterback may be heating up, but Hill has done enough to keep South Carolina in most every game. He’s also not getting much help from his receivers as dropped passes have hampered the offense’s ability to consistently move the football. Sacks need to be eliminated and that starts with Hill being a little more decisive with the football, but his overall performance has been an arm and a leg better than that of last year’s group.

Look for coach Muschamp and Co. to stick with the veteran for at least another week.