Though Brock Osweiler looked like the frontrunner to nab the starting quarterback position at Arizona State University at the beginning of fall camp, Michigan transfer Steven Threet pulled ahead toward the end as the regular season neared. Then on Monday, ASU head coach Dennis Erickson announced that Threet will start on Saturday Sept. 4 in the season opener against Portland State. But Osweiler is expected to play in that game and his hopes of starting at some point this season aren’t completely dead.
Osweiler, a Flathead High School alum, started one game for the Sun Devils last year as a true freshman and saw playing time in other games, including against USC, when he threw a touchdown pass. I’ve been following the fall camp closely, weeding through the plentiful analysis coming out of Arizona. The race was close enough to push Erickson’s decision back far later than most other NCAA coaches’. Ultimately, it appears a combination of Threet’s strong performance in the second half of fall camp and his past starting experience at Michigan gave him the nod.
Osweiler, at 6-8 and 240, and Threet, at 6-5 and 240 pounds, are both big, talented gunslingers. Threet, a junior, is a class ahead of Osweiler. Erickson obviously likes both of them and various media accounts, including one by ESPN’s Ted Miller, give the impression that Osweiler will get chances to prove himself in the first couple games of the season. Also, check out quotes from Erickson’s press conference to see his thoughts on both quarterbacks.
Whether it’s in two games or two years, Osweiler will get his chance to start. I’d love to see it sooner than later. Turning on the T.V. on a Saturday morning and watching a Kalispell boy face off against USC in front of a packed stadium would certainly be a delight.