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College Football: 3 starting QBs who won’t survive 2017 season

By Justin Dottavio

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Clemson Tigers during the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Clemson Tigers during the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

I don’t think Franks is beaten out for his position because of his play. On the contrary, I think Franks is not only the best passer on the Gators roster he also has the most upside. I think Franks winds up on the injured list because of the horrible blocking from the Florida Gators we’ve seen over the past decade, but even more so over the past three years.

The Gators have had not one but two instances of Gator-on-Gator blocking crime on their resume (Exhibit A is below). The Wolverines looked like the more explosive athletes against Florida in Week 1. Florida (16th in the S&P+) will now face the Tennessee Volunteers (25th in the S&P+) after a week off because of Irma.

Will Franks make it through in a game where the Vols’ defense has at times been complacent and at others been aggressive? This may not be the game where he’s knocked out. But Florida will face  a litany of other strong defenses.

Related Story: Don't Quit on Franks at Florida

Coming up on the slate is an LSU defense that will be fast and Ed Orgeron won’t accept passivity. Then John Chavis’ Texas A&M defense, which if they bring pressure like they did against Josh Rosen in the first half, could devastate the Gator offensive line.

Of course there’s the annual rivalry game in Jacksonville, Fla., against the Georgia Bulldogs and Kirby Smart‘s tenacious defense that made Notre Dame look inept. At the back end the Gators face South Carolina and the Florida State Seminoles which have a defense in the top-five in the country.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

Replacement pick: Malik Zaire

The Gators will have to learn how to block and execute on offense in a hurry to keep Franks healthy and to keep Jim McElwain employed. Of the three quarterback situations mentioned only McElwain is close to being on the hot seat with Harbaugh and Meyer being solid in their place at Michigan and Ohio State, respectively.

A few other quarterback controversies around football are whatever Mike Leach is doing with Luke Falk, FSU trying out a new QB in James Blackman, and even Brandon Wimbush being challenged by Ian Book could be an issue if he struggles and Brian Kelly is desperate to save his job.

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