In your opinion, has Towles been given a fair shot?

[Robcatt24]

Talking to a few other UK fans last night, I was surprised to hear a couple of them say that Towles just needed more time.

Really?

The guy is a 4th year junior. Played some as true freshman, redshirted his sophomore year, and started every game last season.

I believe by this point in his career, Towles has had ample opportunity to show if he is an SEC level QB.

He has been given more than a fair opportunity.

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

HE CANNOT SEE THE FIELD.

 

[docinjax]

HE CANNOT SEE THE FIELD.

I have to admit I was a bit disappointed in Towles, especially after hearing how much he has improved. He threw some perfect balls, but consistently underthrew the downfield throws. While our receivers adjusted to catch some of those, SEC cornerbacks will intercept them. I think Towles will start game 2, but I wouldn't hesitate to throw Barker in there.

 

[blubo]

maybe if we have a big lead in the second half next week stoops will put barker in for a few snaps. could happen.

 

[FreeSafety36]

Has he had a fair shot? Yes. As you said, he's been here for 3 years already, and he has 13 starts under his belt. He hasn't shown improvement from his first start to now. It's not that he can't throw the ball, I think he's shown there isn't a throw he can't make. His problem is that he's so erratic, you can't depend on him to make the same throw twice. Each time he drops back, it's anyone's guess where the ball is going to end up. Sometimes it's exactly where it needs to be, other times it's 5 yards too deep, and still other times he throws to where the receiver is, not where he will be. Even his mistakes are inconsistent, which makes them extremely difficult to correct. If he were making one mistake repeatedly, the coaches could work with him on that. His mistakes are all over the map, though.

It's like if you're trying to teach a kid math. You give them the problem 4 times 3. If they repeatedly get 7 as their answer, you know what the problem is. If they repeatedly get 1 as their answer, you know what the problem is. If they get 12 as their answer three times in a row, you assume they understand. Then the next 3 times they get 8 once, 5 once and 18 once; what are they doing wrong and how do you fix it?

 

[dorkmeister]

It was first game mistakes. He will be fine. He has all the attributes to be great and he will be. Give him a chance.

 

[gg4uk]

I know one thing. I'm tired of the Andre Woodson comparisons. Andre, was as accurate a passer as UK has ever had. Towels never will be. This is not a skill that can be taught either. I hope he succeeds but teams are not going to fear his arm.

If Barker is any where close and much more accurate. I would hope that they start getting him snaps soon. UK needs an accurate passing QB to complete the system.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Regardless of your physics talents, you're either an SEC quarterback or you aren't. I'll give him a couple more games to prove himself, but in those games, I'd give Barker some reps. The answer will become obvious, I hope.

 

[WoodyKat]

Barker deserves reps. Good first half, woefully inadequate second half. I don't care how strong the QB's arm is, he has to be accurate. This will hurt us going against SEC defenses.

 

[Poetax]

Has he had a fair shot? Yes. As you said, he's been here for 3 years already, and he has 13 starts under his belt. He hasn't shown improvement from his first start to now. It's not that he can't throw the ball, I think he's shown there isn't a throw he can't make. His problem is that he's so erratic, you can't depend on him to make the same throw twice. Each time he drops back, it's anyone's guess where the ball is going to end up. Sometimes it's exactly where it needs to be, other times it's 5 yards too deep, and still other times he throws to where the receiver is, not where he will be. Even his mistakes are inconsistent, which makes them extremely difficult to correct. If he were making one mistake repeatedly, the coaches could work with him on that. His mistakes are all over the map, though.

It's like if you're trying to teach a kid math. You give them the problem 4 times 3. If they repeatedly get 7 as their answer, you know what the problem is. If they repeatedly get 1 as their answer, you know what the problem is. If they get 12 as their answer three times in a row, you assume they understand. Then the next 3 times they get 8 once, 5 once and 18 once; what are they doing wrong and how do you fix it?

Honestly all you guys know that you can throw the first two years out the window. Last year only showed that when the real football started we weren't ready for it. He gets another game or two and then he has to produce I have no problem with that.

 

[SaguaroCat]

I think he's been treated fairly both ways. Yes he's been here three years. But he was also asked to beat out Barker in camp. And did. So in that respect he deserves more than one game to make a change or even give Barker a chance to take it away again.

Plan was to bring in barker and give him reps for experience as a backup. Should have done that in the second quarter. Not sure I want to do that AT South Carolina.

 

[ram1955]

He may be a junior but for all intents and purposes, this is only the BEGINNING of his second year.

To be fair, he did under throw his receiver several times. A couple of times he rushed and threw to the wrong guy. Part of that comes from having a "screen door" offensive line last year. IMO the o-line did a pretty good job of protecting him last night. If they keep that up, his confidence will build. He will make better throws and read the field better.

I do question all the floating passes. He needs to put more zip on the ball.

 

[hmt5000]

He did have a few absolute beautiful throws last night but had several underthrown balls and a couple would of been big gainers. But then he also had some overthrown balls too. I honestly thought this was his worst throwing game I've seen him have.

I thought the team as a whole looked tired quickly and I'm hoping that they just over worked leading up to this game and if he and the team get rested up and settled down by Saturday then we still have a chance to pull the upset. But if he is that erratic in the first half at scar then I think you have to give barker a couple series... it worked for Allen last night at a&m.