Two consecutive losses have the Texas A&M Aggies in the bottom half of the highly contentious SEC West, so it comes as no surprise that head coach Kevin Sumlin is open to a quarterback change in the middle of the season.
Kyle Allen won the starting role out of camp, where he competed with true freshman Kyler Murray, the top dual threat QB coming out of high school last year, and Jake Hubenak, a transfer sophomore. Allen took over midseason a year ago for Kenny Hill when Texas A&M was in a similar position.
According to ESPN, Sumlin will hold an open competition in practice this week for the starting QB position for Saturday's game against South Carolina.
"What we're looking for is consistency, across the board, in quarterback play, cutting down on turnovers," he recalled telling the trio of QBs Monday morning, "and this week you're going to be evaluated not only based on practice and percentage and drills and everything else, but you're also going to be evaluated on your leadership skills, your communication with your teammates, your communication with the coaching staff and general overall play and demeanor."
Allen started the Aggies' first seven games and threw 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions in the first five (all wins), with an average QBR of 75.7. In his last two games (both losses), Allen has one touchdown, four interceptions, and an average QBR of 20.
Murray has been the primary backup thus far and has made 31 pass attempts in five games. Murray has a respectable QBR of 73 on the season, but naming him the starter will likely come with some growing pains. He has the higher ceiling and is lauded for his running ability and athleticism, but he was playing high school football a year ago.
Hubenak only has 12 pass attempts in two games, and his only college football playing experience previous to Texas A&M was at Blinn College.
Sumlin stated he would announce his decision before Friday's practice.
