It's time to have the tough conversation with Phil Bates- Iowa State was right, he has a bright future in college football, just not at the QB position.

Phil's QB stats- 6/15 63 yds, 2 int, 40% comp., 48.61 QB rating.

During one of the pregrame shows Solich came right out and said Bates will be the QB when we run the ball, Boo will be in when we pass the ball. I hope the other team didn't hear him say that or they'll be able to key off it. Boo is rusty but if he makes the move now to starter he can get the reps in practice and continue to improve. I see no sign of anyone having confidence in Phil's ability to pass the ball at all.

It's time for Bates to switch to Running Back full time. He's already the team's best runner-

Phil's RB stats 27/161, 6.0 ypc,

Bates at RB would open up so many things in the backfield, play action, the option, etc. I think its our best shot at improving an offense that is already ranked dead last in FBS. Thoughts?

What happens to qb's who run but who are not primarily running style qb's?

They get hurt.

Do we want to have Boo running very often?



Also, qb's who 'are runners' get hurt.

He doesnt seem to deliver the blow either. A few times last night I noticed he almost stopped, scrunched up and waited for the defender to hit him.

What was Bates' QB rating against the Hurd?  His biggest problem is getting banged up.  How do MAC defenses prepare against the threat of a QB run, an option, a dink pass and the long route when they all start working?

Forget the OSU game; it is clear that the strategy was take time off the clock and hope for defensive take aways.  The strategy while boring didn't lead to an EMU type killing. Remember the Toledo game.  Boo is 0-1in the MAC and led a great comeback against Marshall but also caused the only turnover.  The keys shouldn't be turned over to him and Bates abandoned until things become clearer.  Get the OLine to stop jumping and those Bates runs of 4 yards or more will move those chains and keep the opponent on defense.  

If we ask Bates to change positions, would he leave the university and continues to pursue the QB dream elsewhere?  Similar to us endeding up with Mr. Roback?

Bates has already been down that road before. Just a couple of games into his sophomore year he announced he was transferring from Iowa State after losing out in the QB battle and being moved to WR. He caused a minor commotion by giving up on his team mid season like that. Solich had originally recruited him out of high school and I would have to think that there was some sort of verbal commitment from Frank that if he came to OHIO he would play QB. I'm guessing that commitment is also a reason why Bates continues to get the call to start even though the OC has no confidence in calling a pass play for him.

Do you mean Kalvin McRae?

Frank said on the Frank Solich Show last night that Boo and Bates will continue to rotate at quarterback, with whoeever plays better getting more of the snaps. But he also said it would not be out of the question to see boht of them on the field at the same time sometime in the future: