

Will Muschamp threw water on any discussion of a quarterback debate in Columbia by opening his Tuesday media availability by announcing that Jake Bentley would be South Carolina’s starting quarterback against Texas A&M if he’s healthy enough to play.
This decision comes after redshirt senior backup quarterback Michael Scarnecchia started the Missouri game and outplayed touted NFL prospect Drew Lock on Saturday. Scarnecchia completed 20 of his 35 throws for 249 yards and three scores in the game. He also led the Gamecocks down the field in the final drive of the game, which resulted in the game-winning field goal by Michael Parker.
Despite Scarnecchia’s strong showing, Muschamp is turning over the keys of the offense to Bentley.
“Jake practiced today, I thought he looked good. If he’s healthy for Saturday, he’ll be the starter but I’ve told Jake and Mike that both need to be ready to go,” Muschamp said on Tuesday. “We have two guys we can win with and that’s good.”
Muschamp was then asked a follow-up question regarding how long the team will take to make the final decision on the starting quarterback role. Last week, South Carolina waited until game day to name Scarnecciah as the starter.
Could the decision take that long this week?
“No, I think it will be determined before that. (Bentley) looked good today,” Muschamp reiterated. “I think he’s going to be fine and I think at the end of the day, we’ll continue to look at some mobility things but again, I’m not going to put a young man in a situation where he can’t protect himself and he couldn’t on Saturday. Mike performed really well — a guy we have a lot of confidence in going into the game and even more so, obviously, after it. At the end of the day, we’ll make decisions in the game to win the game.”
Finally, the South Carolina coach offered up these comments when asked why he’s going with Bentley over Scarneccia.
“Well, (Jake’s) played a lot of really good football for us. He’s got a lot of experience and I think he’s played really well,” Muschamp said. “Obviously, Mike has a smaller sample size, played well with his opportunity but I’m making a decision on what I think helps us win and at the end of the day, that’s what we are going to do. We have two guys we have confidence we can win with, I feel comfortable with both guys.”
In the new era of college football transfers, particularly at the quarterback position, Muschamp has to walk a fine line here. He can’t afford to alienate Bentley but at the same time, if the Gamecocks lose and the locker room and the fans start calling for Scarneccia to go back into the starting lineup, how will Muschamp handle that noise?
The decision to go with Bentley will be something to watch this weekend and the ramifications it could have on the second half of the Gamecocks’ season could be huge.
I disagree here with Coach here, Mike. I think the right play is to leave Scar in until Bentley is 100%. Just like your BigOrangeVols cousin said on your Podcast. Let’s be honest here, USC is not going to win this game and Scarnecchia is our best shot to keep it respectable until Bentley is 100%. I’m reminded of when Dylan Thompson started for us against Mizzou and was unable to move the ball. Connor Shaw came in and lit the fire in the comeback victory. You gotta leave Scar in until Bentley needs to do his best Connor Shaw impression.
The one thing that can’t be done is anyone doing a Connor Shaw impression. Not a single QB on the roster is near him in terms of being a gamer. Bentley is he starter, I don’t know why anyone presumed that would change. Scar had a great game, nobody is arguing that but it was against essentially the worst passing defense in the SEC. Just like Carolinas defense has made a many of RB’s look great, Missouri has done the same for QB’s and WR’s. Bentley is starting, give him the opportunity to be pulled and it will happen.
Also, unsure of who Michael Parker is, glad he made the field goal though.
Right. Or like how we rushed for 270+ yards against a Vandy defense, doesn’t mean we have a running game….
I agree, Bentley is the starter, but I’d rather hold him out until he’s 100% game ready… not 80-90%. Muschamp said that he could’ve played against Mizzou, but he would’ve been limited. I’d like to see him sit for another game and use the bye-week for additional rehab and comeback against the Vols.
Who’s to say he’s not 100% if he could’ve played against Missouri. He’s had another week to heal.
You can’t sit the Coach’s son. You can’t take back the salary. You can’t take back the ticket price hikes. You can’t get rid of the Musc. The stench is all over us.
We will have to ride this out a few years.
You can go find another team.
He’s a troll