[stupac2]

[quote author=gocard14 link=topic=17595.msg204470#msg204470 date=1507338458]
I’m normally in the “trust Shaw” camp, but I am worried this choice will cost us a chance at the pac 12 title. I foresee a game where Chryst starts, maybe has a bit of early success but overall the offense sputters. Like the second half against U$C, our issues are not always his fault but he also doesn’t do anything to jumpstart the team. We fall behind, Costello comes in, looks better and brings it close, but makes a few mistakes and it’s not enough. I hope I’m wrong but that’s what my gut is telling me.

I think we’re in for a fight against a good defense on the road. A few possessions wasted playing musical quarterbacks could easily cost us the game. And while I know it may seem overly optimistic, I still believe we have a shot at the PAC 12 north between Love, improving Oline play, and hopefully a defense that finds its footing, plus playing UW at home. It would suck for the team to improve, beat UW and WSU, and end up on the outside looking in because of a decision that in hindsight was glaringly obvious based on the play on the field thus far.

Perhaps Shaw is trying to sucker Utah, just a bit.  Utah has a great run defense, and a pretty good pass defense that's just middle-of-the-pack in sacks, but leads the league in takeaways.  Maybe Shaw announces Chryst as the QB so Utah will stack the box, try for the sacks, focus on Love, but leave lots of one-on-one coverages.  At last that's what I'm hoping.  If it works, great, if not, bring in Costello.
[/quote]

That's too cute by half, I think there's basically 0 chance anything like that is the gameplan. Shaw is typically a straight shooter, if he says Chryst is starting then I expect Chryst to take the first snap and play almost all of the first series. After that... we'll see.

[stupac2]

[quote author=gocard14 link=topic=17595.msg204470#msg204470 date=1507338458]
I’m normally in the “trust Shaw” camp, but I am worried this choice will cost us a chance at the pac 12 title. I foresee a game where Chryst starts, maybe has a bit of early success but overall the offense sputters. Like the second half against U$C, our issues are not always his fault but he also doesn’t do anything to jumpstart the team. We fall behind, Costello comes in, looks better and brings it close, but makes a few mistakes and it’s not enough. I hope I’m wrong but that’s what my gut is telling me.

I think we’re in for a fight against a good defense on the road. A few possessions wasted playing musical quarterbacks could easily cost us the game. And while I know it may seem overly optimistic, I still believe we have a shot at the PAC 12 north between Love, improving Oline play, and hopefully a defense that finds its footing, plus playing UW at home. It would suck for the team to improve, beat UW and WSU, and end up on the outside looking in because of a decision that in hindsight was glaringly obvious based on the play on the field thus far.

Perhaps Shaw is trying to sucker Utah, just a bit.  Utah has a great run defense, and a pretty good pass defense that's just middle-of-the-pack in sacks, but leads the league in takeaways.  Maybe Shaw announces Chryst as the QB so Utah will stack the box, try for the sacks, focus on Love, but leave lots of one-on-one coverages.  At last that's what I'm hoping.  If it works, great, if not, bring in Costello.
[/quote]

That's too cute by half, I think there's basically 0 chance anything like that is the gameplan. Shaw is typically a straight shooter, if he says Chryst is starting then I expect Chryst to take the first snap and play almost all of the first series. After that... we'll see.