GAINESVILLE, Fla. – For the third game this season, Florida will be without starting QB Luke Del Rio. The journeyman transfer suffered a shoulder injury against Arkansas that will sideline him for Saturday’s matchup against South Carolina and possibly the rest of the season pending the results of an MRI.

The first time Del Rio went down this season, Jim McElwain didn’t hesitate to name backup Austin Appleby the starter. The graduate transfer from Purdue led the Gators to a 21-0 early lead in Knoxville, but fell back to Earth for the second half of that game and the following game at Vanderbilt.

On the Monday of Tennessee week, Appleby addressed the media. Today, no quarterbacks spoke to the press. While Appleby has an advantage to earning the start Saturday, it appears McElwain is considering true freshmen Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask as well.

“We’ll go with all three guys (in practice),” McElwain said Monday. “Obviously, Austin will take the first snap at practice today. Someone asked about the rookies? We’ll see as the week goes on where and how we’ll play those guys.”

It’s not the first time McElwain has floated the possibility of playing the freshmen. He hoped to play one or both in the opening game against UMass and teased the idea of getting them snaps in the Tennessee game.

With three games left, including two conference contests that will play a huge role in deciding the SEC East race, McElwain faces a difficult situation: stick with what he knows or give the kids a chance.

The case for Austin Appleby

He could easily be 2-0 as a starter: Appleby didn’t lose the Tennessee game, that loss is on the defense for allowing 35 points that erased a 21-3 lead. The offense played poorly against Vanderbilt, but that game isn’t looking so bad after the dreadful performance at Arkansas.

Familiarity: Aside from one or two or substitutions, the majority of the players on the field surrounding the quarterback are familiar with Appleby. This could be important when the team has to travel to Baton Rouge and Tallahassee in the coming weeks.

Been there, done that: With three important games coming up, it’s tempting to trust in Appleby’s experience as a senior and graduate transfer who has played in tough situations and hostile environments.

Future depth: The Gators are still in contention. They’re not ready to flip the calendar to 2017. At this point, the coaches have to wonder if it’s worth burning a redshirt in Week 11 unless an injury forces them to. Having two redshirt freshmen gives the Gators a little bit more depth for the future — and better prepared for another transfer or injury — but it’s the weakest of the pro-Appleby arguments.

The case for Feleipe Franks/Kyle Trask

They got extra prep: Franks and Trask enrolled in January, which allowed them to take part in spring practice and the spring game. Considering they’ve been on campus and with the team for 10 months, they might not feel like freshmen to their teammates.

Everybody else is doing it: Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina have all seen true freshmen quarterbacks play well this season. While Del Rio and Appleby might be the better practice quarterbacks, for all we know Franks and/or Trask could be gamers. We won’t know until we get to see them in a game.

The fans want it: If Appleby is the guy, he’ll likely be looking over his shoulder Saturday. Right or not, many fans on Twitter and message boards have written off Appleby as an SEC quarterback. It won’t take many missed throws from Appleby to get chants for the freshmen started in The Swamp stands.

Recruiting: The Florida offense has shown recruits on that side of the ball very little to get excited about. Under Del Rio, the team doesn’t look like a national championship contender this season or next. Playing Franks or Trask might produce some excitement that translates to the recruiting trail, giving McElwain and staff something to point to for a bright future.