Have you heard Garnet & Great's most recent interview yet? No? Well, Garnet & Great sat down with Wally Woodham. He was one-half of the two-QB system in the 70s at a time when Florida State began making its dramatic ascent to the top echelon of college football.
Wally Woodham and Jimmy Jordan were the last two-headed quarterback monster to grace the field for Florida State. Wally gave some insight into why it worked; mostly because, between the two of them, they made one quarterback. It's not clear that, given that we're almost 40 years removed from Woodham's era, we're ever going to see another two-QB system at Florida State.
And for good reason.
There are too many disadvantages to a two-QB system. A head coach's hallmark is his ability to make decisions (and, you know, good ones). Using a two-QB system reeks of indecision, the type that can ruin a team's confidence. Who is the team supposed to turn to in those dark moments? A two-QB system doesn't breed the type of confidence that you need from a quarterback. Especially when both quarterbacks are concerned only with who is breathing down their shoulder. Especially when, after a few incompletions, you're being put on the bench.
Could Jimbo Fisher have used both Jacob Coker and Jameis Winston together? Possibly. But doing so would have amounted to Fisher waving the white flag. Fisher would have surrendered to indecision; that, somehow, he was unable to choose the quarterback to lead this team. It's not only something that doesn't fit his system schematically, but, more importantly, it calls into question his decision-making ability.
Why does it have to be that way? Players are substituted all the time. At quarterback, it's different, however. So much of the game for the quarterback is about finding a rhythm and it seems unfair to never give a player a chance to find his rhythm. I don't buy many of the arguments for a two-QB system (i.e., that it affords schematic advantages and can help you become more unpredictable). Look no further than the NFL and whether two QB systems are prevalent, let alone successful.
Comments? Questions? Kudos?