Aaron Murray Should Be UGA's Starting Quarterback

It's time for the Joe Cox era to end.  It won't, at least not this week, but it should.  It is time for Aaron Murray to start.

Mark Richt has decided that Joe Cox will start this week against Tennessee Tech because Cox "gives us the best chance to win."  First, just about anyone could play quarterback this weekend and UGA would beat Tennessee Tech.  While Richt's statement that Cox gives us the best chance to win against Auburn, Kentucky, and Georgia Tech is probably true, it doesn't matter.  The win against Tennessee Tech will get UGA bowl eligible.  Beyond that, what is left for this season? 

Every snap of experience Aaron Murray misses out on this year is a snap of experience he will have to get next year.  Is getting to the Music City Bowl instead of the Independence Bowl worth it?  Of course not.  The Bulldogs should not let loyalty to a senior quarterback this year cost them wins next year.  This is precisely what will happen though if Aaron Murray is not given the chance at significant playing time this year.  Ask yourself this:  would you rather have Aaron Murray play his first four games this year against Tennessee Tech, Auburn, Kentucky, and Georgia Tech, or next year against Louisiana-Lafayette, at South Carolina, Arkansas, and at Mississippi State.  Sure, the schedule next year isn't as tough as it has been the last two years, but that is all the more reason to get Aaron Murray his snaps now.  Those early games next year are winnable games, and there is no reason to risk losing one of them because of an inexperienced quarterback.

The SEC East will be wide open next year.  Florida will likely be the favorite, but that is really just by default.  They'll lose Jean Shorts Jesus and Brandon Spikes Your Eyes Out.  Tennessee also loses their best player in Eric Berry and will be breaking in a new quarterback of their own.  And South Carolina is South Carolina; they aren't winning the East.

Wanting to reward Joe Cox with playing time because he's a senior is short sighted and dumb.  It would have been nice had Joe Cox had a D.J. Shockley-like year.  He hasn't.  Richt should start Aaron Murray, and start him this week.  An inexperienced Aaron Murray will probably cost UGA a game or two (or maybe even 3) this year.  That is, however, infinitely better than an inexperienced Aaron Murray costing UGA a game or two (or 3) NEXT year when the Bulldogs will have more to play for than it does now.