Georgia football is just over one week away from their season opener against Marshall on Aug. 30, and the Bulldogs still have not officially named a starting quarterback. Kirby Smart and his staff have made it pretty obvious that Gunner Stockton is trending to win the job, but they are refusing to officially end the competition.
Smart was specifically asked about the starting quarterback battle on Tuesday, and he gave a very blunt and annoyed response to the Georgia media.
"Yeah, so y'all can write about it? No, I don't.," Smart shared via 247sports.com when asked if he plans to announce a starting QB.
Kirby Smart refuses to name a starting quarterback
It really is quite strange why Smart won't just come out and say that Stockton will be Georgia's starting quarterback this season. Does Smart really think the Bulldogs are gaining any advantage by waiting to annoit a starter?
In year's past Georgia has opened their season against a powerhouse program like Clemson last year who on paper could beat them, so that would make sense to not name a starting QB to keep them in the dark as much as possible. But Georgia this year opens their season with two easy home games before they play their first real opponent in Tennessee.
That means the Vols will have plenty of time to scout Georgia's starting QB in their first two starts this season, so not naming a starter really isn't doing anything on that front.
Regardless of if Smart officially names a starter or not, the way he has talked in his recent press conferences makes it obvious that Stockton will win the job. Smart did not mention Ryan Puglisi once during his most recent press conference on Tuesday, and he spoke a lot about what his expectations are for Stockton this season. So that does make it pretty clear that Stockton has won this job.
At this point though Smart probably won't ever publicly name a starter, but everyone should expect to see Stockton trot out on the field the first time the offense gets the ball against Marshall.