Kansas football: Two-QB system not a long-term solution for Jayhawks

Kansas football head coach Les Miles indicated that the Jayhawks would probably be using two quarterbacks in their season opener.

Last week, Kansas football head coach Les Miles hinted that while he would not announce a starter until game time, but that the Jayhawks would likely choose a QB and stick with them. While not knowing who the starter would be is a bit bothersome, staying with one QB is certainly the optimum strategy.

Then yesterday, Miles backtracked and stated “I would think that there’s a good possibility that both quarterbacks would play.”

Well, that’s not the best news. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that the Jayhawks have struggled at the quarterback position, but doing the two-QB system is not an ideal way to kick off the 2020 season.

While fans can give Miles and the coaching staff the benefit of the doubt and make claims about how unique this offseason has been, the Jayhawks need to make a decision on the starter as soon as possible. If the decision between the top contenders, Thomas MacVittie and Miles Kendrick, is based on their performances against the Chanticleers, than so be it. The bottom line is that this isn’t an issue that can just keep getting kicked down the road as the season progresses.

Both MacVittie and Kendrick are fundamentally different, with MacVittie standing at 6’5” and Kendrick being a 5’10” dual-threat style QB. Miles seems to have faith in both though, saying “I think both Thomas MacVittie and Miles Kendrick are really in position to play and play well.”

There are so man issues with playing multiple QBs though, one of which is that it makes it tough for either one to get into a rhythm. Former Ohio State quarterback JT Barrett said it best

"“We would switch every series. As a quarterback, it’s kind of rough to do being that you can’t get a real vibe off the defense and how they’re trying to play us. They’re not playing a quarterback as an individual, they’re playing the offense. With that, it was hard at times, or more difficult at times, so I don’t think it would be the best idea.”"

There are a host of other potential problems that arise from playing multiple quarterbacks like issues in the locker room and communication between the quarterbacks and receivers on routes. Playing two QBs isn’t a long-term solution for the Jayhawks, and Miles will have to make a decision at some point.