CougarCorner

Pick one...

Nelson needs to heal, sit him for the Hawaii game. Use this week to develop the passing game again, and give Hill and the receivers confidence again. If Hill needs to be subbed, put in Lark, but Nelson sits until he has healed.

There is little doubt Hill has a much greater upside than Nelson. Nelson, for all his grit and toughness is a poor passer, has a weak arm, and can't consistently give BYU 300 yards passing. BYU has some very tough games coming up, and the D will not always be able to throw a shutout. Hill has a stronger arm, if he throws for 400 yards against Hawaii and 5 TDs, Nelson may never see the field again--but so what? BYU isn't about Reilly Nelson, it's about good football and winning games; if Hill does that, then he plays.

I think you go with the safe play. 2/3 of the year is still ahead of us so it is too early to just think of next year.

Start Lark, give Hill some plays and let him throw more when he is in the game, but let Lark handle the game. See what he can do and don't overwhelm Hill prematurely.

From what the media has been saying, Hill and Lark are both really close in how they handle the offense in practice so IMO start the younger guy. I feel sorry for Lark but his time has passed. If he were much better than hill in practice he would get my vote.

Lark is a senior. He's been sitting, watching, and practicing for a long time. Think about LaVell Edward's quarterback factory...he had a bunch of qb's all in a row, they'd sit for two years, learn the program, and then start for two years and do well--except for Detmer, who played a lot from very early on.

Anyway, he should be able to play well. He's got a strong arm, and seems like the best option we have for a drop-back passer. I'm not saying that Hill isn't good, but I think that Lark should be getting some snaps. If Hill plays backup duty until Nelson's healthy and then BYU couaches determine who is best then, he should be getting some experience now, and still be getting time when Nelson comes back.

I would agree all the way up to the point where the younger guy is as good or better than the older guy. Then you go with the younger guy. Paying your dues is only valid if you are the best guy left standing when everyone else around you graduates or is injured.

The "pay your dues" mentality can go too far. IMO, there isn't even a question. There is no doubt now that Hill has the kind of combination of talents (true explosiveness AND an arm) that we have rarely if ever seen at BYU. He gives us the best chance to win now, not to mention we have to prepare for the gauntlet that is next year's schedule. Play HIll.

Play the guy who gives us the best chance to win. The future will work itself out.

Truly good players don't get ruined if they play too early. One of the biggest myths of football in my opinion. Anyone who was "ruined" by playing too early would have sucked when they did get to play.

There is a very good chance that Heaps is who he was his first two years at BYU. If there is any improvement, would be due to coaching, not sitting out.

Oh, and my pick was Hill...although anyone but Riley is my true choice.