Auburn Football: Who should start at quarterback for the Tigers?
By Matt Melton
If you have watched Auburn Football so far this season, then you have likely noticed that the Tigers have had success running the ball across the seasons first two weeks. Now yes, Mercer and San Jose State are a step down from the SEC competition that Auburn will see going forward, but it is still encouraging to see the success the Tigers have had with Bigsby, Hunter, and more so far.
However, the same cannot likely be said for the Tigers when it comes to throwing the ball, as Auburn has struggled at times through the passing game, with no quarterback yet to fully secure the QB1 job.
One of the SEC’s more intriguing offseason quarterback competitions, it appears that Auburn’s starting job is honestly still not yet finalized as we enter week three. With the Tigers toughest test yet in Penn State now set for later this week as well, who should be Auburn’s starter going forward?
Who should be Auburn Football’s starting quarterback going forward?
Across the first two games of the season, Auburn Football has solely used two names at quarterback. TJ Finley, the lone returning name on the Tigers roster at the position, has started both games, while Robby Ashford, an offseason transfer from Oregon, has also seen an extensive amount of action.
Looking at the sample size so far as well, Finley has completed 64.7% of his passes for 279 yards and a touchdown, but has struggled when it comes to turnovers, throwing three interceptions. Ashford on the other hand has certainly impressed in his first collegiate action when running the ball (13 carries for 129 yards), but has not quite had the same sample size as Finley throwing the ball, completing only 5-of-10 passes for 101 yards and an interception.
Not to mention that Zach Calzada, an offseason transfer from Texas A&M, has yet to appear in a game this season. A player that many expected to be the starter at Auburn entering the year, could Calzada see time going forward, potentially even as early as this Saturday against Penn State? What about freshman Holden Geriner as well?
It feels like this week three matchup with the Nittany Lions could potentially provide the answer as to whom Auburn Football’s starter will be going forward. Will it be Finley or Ashford, or could Calzada or Geriner potentially begin to emerge?