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Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed has Johnny Manziel's vote to start. Should Mike Elko comply?

Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed has Johnny Manziel's vote to start. Should Mike Elko comply?

When asked which Texas A&M quarterback should face South Carolina, Conner Weigman or Marcel Reed this week, the latter received votes from none other than Johnny Football and Stephen McGee. He is the quarterback of quarterbacks. Probably also the unanimous decision of about a hundred thousand Aggies who brought down Kyle Field last Saturday in front of LSU.

But ultimately it's one man's decision, and Mike Elko isn't showing his hand.

Weigman, a former five-star recruit who has yet to reach his potential?

Or Reed just running and winning?

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Better question: Why tip your hand now?

“As a defensive coach,” Elko said, suppressing a smile this week, “I would imagine it would be a challenge to prepare the kids for all of this.”

An excellent point. No doubt the 10th-ranked Aggies' performance on Saturday in Columbia will settle the quarterback question going forward. Assuming that's what Elko wants to do.

But what if he doesn't prefer one to the other?

Is it really that bad right now?

Before we remind you that when you have two quarterbacks, you don't have one – a lesson even Tom Landry learned the hard way – remember that this isn't your dad's football anymore. Quarterbacks change their minds like socks. Ask Brent Venables. If he had kept a better eye on Dillon Gabriel, the Oklahoma coach might not find himself on all of those hot-seat lists.

I'm not saying Weigman would enter the transfer portal if Elko named Reed the starter. Only Weigman knows. What we know for sure is that Reed didn't leave when Elko gave the job back to Weigman, even after Reed won all three starts when Weigman was out. Reed's comments after he led the Aggies with three second-half touchdowns in their remarkable comeback against LSU suggest he views the quarterback position as a team concept.

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When he was available this season, Weigman was inconsistent, to say the least. He's not as decisive in limited play as he was last year, and when he lets it get to him, he doesn't hit many tight windows. There is no rhythm on offense. Not all of this is his fault, as Elko quickly discovers. His receivers aren't always where they should be, and his management didn't give him much comfort Saturday. Weigman appears to be struggling with the new offense under Collin Klein, the former Kansas State quarterback and OC who left his alma mater for College Station after the Aggies doubled his salary.

Bottom line: It looks like Weigman could use a few more reps in this new offense before the risk of losing him becomes a business decision.

Chances are good that things will be more difficult for both quarterbacks on Saturday than they were against LSU. The Tigers appeared to have no trace of Reed. Also no idea about a zone reading. Reed only had to throw two passes, but it helps if one goes 54 yards.

That's just a guess, but it will likely take more than a handful of shots to beat the Gamecocks. Elko said Shane Beamer's defense will be “by far” the best they've played this year. South Carolina has first-round draft potential with defensive tackle TJ Sanders and safety Nick Emmanwori.

The 4-3 Gamecocks are almost a mirror image of the SEC's surprising first-place finishers. South Carolina ranks 13th in the SEC in yards passing per game (186.0) but eighth in rushing (160.9). The Aggies rank 14th in passing (179.6) and second in rushing (221.5).

Otherwise, Reed's athleticism is a better fit for what the Aggies currently do best on offense. He has certainly captured the imagination of believers, not to mention some of his predecessors.

“I think it would be really hard right now to say goodbye to Marcel Reed and the energy and vibe that he brought to this team on Saturday,” Johnny Manziel told Action Network.

McGee said on the TexAgs website: “You have to feel like Marcel is the one.”

However, he wasn't the guy from Elko heading into the game against Missouri, even though Reed had wins over Florida, Bowling Green and Arkansas. A&M needed a more diverse offense. And under Weigman's leadership, the Aggies played their best all-around game of the year in a win over Missouri.

Weigman has started every game he's had available this season, which should tell you something. One day Elko may have to change his mind.

Is now the time?

“I think we have to try to figure out what’s best for this offense,” Elko said, “what’s best for these two young kids, what’s best for this program for the rest of this season.”

If you ask me, the best plan for South Carolina, not to mention the Aggies' chances when Texas comes to town after Thanksgiving, is to give Weigman at least one more start. If he doesn't deliver, at least you know what Reed can do on the bench. Plus, it's not like switching from one quarterback to another puts a strain on the offense. Elko praised Klein for the seamless nature. All changes are described as “subtle”.

The difference lies in the quarterbacks, and there's nothing subtle about that at all. Especially when trying to design a defense against them, something a former defensive coordinator knows all too well.

Twitter/X: @KSherringtonDMN

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