Matt Joeckel is in the running to be Texas A&M's new starting QB. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Florida Gator football fans were mostly glad to see the Florida State series continuing through 2019 after the announcement was made this week. The series is too important to the state of Florida. Even though many excuses have been made, Florida and Miami should be playing on a regular basis also. Maybe not every year, but the Canes and Gators should play at least every three- to- five years.
Some Gator fans expressed excitement that Florida is playing East Carolina in 2015. The Pirates could be considered a step up from the typical Gator non-conference foe. Still, Gator officials deserve credit for scheduling Michigan for the Cowboys Classic in 2017 at Arlington, Texas. The Wolverines are an example of the team that Florida needs to play with the new playoff format. Strength of schedule is going to be important for all teams in the future.
FSU TICKETS SELLING WELL: Speaking of schedules, Florida State fans better get their ticket packages early with Clemson, Notre Dame and Florida coming to town this season. FSU ticket packages are far ahead of last season sales that struggled due to a poor home schedule.
QB BATTLES: Both Miami and Texas A&M started spring practice on the last day of February with major quarterback questions.
Miami no longer has Stephen Morris under center. The possibilities to replace Morris are Memphis transfer Ryan Williams who played in four games last year and threw for 369 yards, redshirt Kevin Olsen, the brother of former Cane tight end Greg Olsen, Gary Crow, a redshirt sophomore, who had limited duty in two games last season and true freshman Brad Kaaya.
Texas A&M will not have Johnny Manziel, who has gone to the NFL. His possible replacements are senior Matt Joeckel, sophomore Kenny Hill and freshman Kyle Allen, who is already enrolled. Joeckel is the probable starter after throwing for nearly 300 yards last season. Hill also received a bit of playing time last year. Coach Kevin Sumlin is more than capable of finding a quarterback to fit his system. His more pressing problem is improving a defense that was one of the worst in the SEC last season.
NO SPRING GAME AT PITT: Coach Paul Chryst announced this week that the annual Panther spring game has been canceled to give his young roster one more day of practice. Pitt will practice from March 16 to April 13. Even though Chryst admitted the idea was selfish, this is a mistake. Pitt fans deserve a chance to see their football team. What is one practice going to do to make a difference? Pitt is a program that needs the good will and support from its fan base. What the Panther staff could do to help fans would be to open a practice or two to the public, but all the practices are going to be closed.
