Florida's QB controversy could be tearing the Gators program apart

On Friday the Florida Gators announced that Aaron Philo will be their starting quarterback against Georgia this weekend. This decision came after he and backup Tramell Jones were both questionable to play this week against Florida, but the Gators ultimately went with the player who won the starting job out of fall camp and started six of their seven games this season.

Florida however had every reason to play Jones instead. He is 1-0 this season after leading Florida to an upset victory over Texas in their last game two weeks ago. Philo on the other hand is 4-2 with losses to Missouri and South Carolina.

There was a huge debate among Florida fans as to who should get the start against Georgia, and after they went with Philo it was clear that some fans did not like this decision.

Florida may have created a major distraction 24 hours before kickoff

If some Florida fans were upset with this decision then there's a chance people inside the program didn't like this decision either. Sure there were probably a handful of coaches and players that wanted Philo to play, but just like some Florida fans there were probably some that wanted Jones to start.

It will be interesting to see what happens if Philo struggles at the start of the game. Florida could keep riding with him or they could bench him and put Jones in instead, either way no matter what they decide to do there will likely be some people in the program who are upset.

This could've been avoided had Florida announced the moment the Texas game ended that Philo was their starter going forward if he was healthy. Instead they let the unknown of who could play fester for nearly two weeks and now they have people wanting different things.

Florida may have picked the wrong player to start vs Georgia

For Florida it does make sense that they’re going with Philo. He was the guy who won the starting job out of fall camp, so it isn’t that crazy they want him to start if he’s healthy. Unfortunately for Florida he is the player Georgia probably preferred to face as well.

Two weeks ago Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown destroyed Georgia on the ground. He carried the ball over 20 times for 115 yards in their upset win in Athens, and it was clear that Georgia didn't have an answer for Auburn's offense that used his legs so often.

Philo is not a good runner like Jones. Sure Jones has played far less than Philo this year, but he is averaging two more yards per carry than Philo. So instead of having to face a dual-threat quarterback Georgia instead gets to play a pocket passer instead.

Philo is still a capable quarterback as he did lead Florida to a win over Ole Miss this year, but not only did Florida create some drama in their program with how they handled their quarterbacks but they may have picked the player that Georgia wanted all along.

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