Does Clemson have a legitimate quarterback controversy? That was the question in late July before camp started. Apparently it is true because head coach Dabo Swinney still doesn't know who will be the Tigers' primary signal caller for the remainder of the season just yet.
Videos by FanBuzz
That's why both senior Kelly Bryant and freshman Trevor Lawrence will play Saturday when No. 2 Clemson plays the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field.
#Clemson and #RollTide are the top two teams in the country.
Both teams have a heated race at starting quarterback.
Dabo Swinney and Nick Saban - you might say they're handling things... a little differently. pic.twitter.com/KtFTOPhoSp
— Daren Stoltzfus WESH (@DarenStoltzfus) August 28, 2018
In Clemson's cruising 48-7 victory over Furman last week, both Bryant and Lawrence showed why they deserve to be on the field this season.
Bryant started the game at Death Valley, completing 10 of 16 for 127 yards with one touchdown while adding 44 rushing yards and another score.
Lawrence went 9-for-15 for 137 yards with three touchdowns in his debut and clearly had some great moments when Bryant struggled in the first quarter.
There is plenty of hype surrounding Clemson right now, and rightfully so. The Tigers have a nasty defense, several playmakers on offense, and two quarterbacks clearly capable to get the job done.
Bryant, last year's starter who passed for 2,802 yards with 13 touchdowns while leading Clemson to a 12-2 mark, has been the No. 1 quarterback since the spring, but there is no doubt Lawrence is putting some pressure on the competition as ESPN's College GameDay heads to College Station, Texas.
Kelly Bryant last season in the three games College GameDay was featured: 57-of-82 passing for 749 yards. 46 carries for 127 yards. 6 total TDs. No interceptions.
— Sanders Sullivan (@SandersSullivan) September 7, 2018
Do you roll with the incumbent starter in Bryant, who led the Tigers to the College Football Playoff in 2017? Is time to move on and start the Lawrence era early? Is Swinney just teasing us all by playing Lawrence in the non conference before redshirting him and letting Bryant take the reins in his final year?
The answer could be no to all. Perhaps Clemson is going to ride the hot hand at quarterback all season and play both as needed. That definitely looks like a possible option given both are going to play in a major road game.
Regardless, if one clearly outplays the other this weekend, this quarterback controversy could be settled.
