Crain & Cone believe the Florida QB competition will come down to more than talent

Whether it's a true quarterback competition with the Florida Gators or simple lip service will become much clearer in a couple of weeks, but there's no reason not to believe that Jon Sumrall and Buster Faulkner still want to see more before they announce the Week 1 starter.

The Crain and Cone show decided to take on the challenge of figuring out who will win the battle between Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr and what the thought process will be behind that selection. 

Do Jon Sumrall and Buster Faulkner already have a good idea of who is going to start at QB?

If we had to make odds on who would be the Week 1 starter for the Gators when they play Florida Atlantic, Aaron Philo would be the likely favorite. He has a lot going in his favor with the knowledge of Faulkner's offense from his two seasons with Georgia Tech. Philo hasn't played a ton, but when he has, it's easy to see the talent and the fit in Faulkner's offense. He's a big athlete (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) that will be able to run the ball as much as Faulkner likes.

There are some questions about Philo as a passer and if he can consistently get the ball to the talented Gator receivers. Those concerns aren't as big with Jones. Whether it was expected that Jones would emerge as a legitimate option in the spring or not, he's here, and he's not backing down. He can make all the throws — down the field, outside the numbers, you name it. He looks like he's gotten bigger in the offseason, but can he show that he can be a factor in the run game? 

READ MORE: Tramell Jones makes it clear he's fully sold on Jon Sumrall's vision for Florida football

"I think Tramell is a more natural passer than what Philo is. I think Philo has a big arm, but does he have good enough touch? Philo is a better runner than Tramell is," Jake Crain said. "Where is the breaking point of the guy that's going to win the job, 'I want him to be the best at this'.?

How well Florida's offensive line performs could determine the starting QB

If you had to point to a weakness on this Gators roster, it's probably the offensive line. It's a group that is being pieced together, especially at the tackles. David Cone wonders how much either quarterback's ability to get the ball to the receivers is going to matter if no one can block.

"Your offensive line is patch work. I don't know who's going to be tackle at Florida. If you can't block anybody up front...I feel like the offensive line, what it's best at, is going to dictate who starts at quarterback. 

It's a great point and a valid reason to go in one direction or another. Yes, the Gators starting quarterback is going to have to be talented, but he might also have to be very durable with the fire that will be coming from SEC defenses. It's not going to be an easy decision for Sumrall and Faulkner to make. 

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