The temptation of two

Vick is a bona fide weapon, but Randall is Hokies' best bet

By Luke Winn, SI.com

Bryan Randall and Virginia Tech are currently No. 9 in the AP poll. Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Bryan Randall had a start on Sunday that many college quarterbacks could only replicate in a video game: 11-of-13 passing, three touchdowns on three straight drives, his team up 21-0 on UCF right out of the gate.

"I stepped out there, and from the first play, things were clicking for me," Randall said. "We kept calling passing plays, and I kept hitting on them. I got into a rhythm."

And yet, the TV cameras couldn't resist straying toward the bench. For every shot of a Randall completion, there seemed to be one of backup Marcus Vick, baby bro of the Man who Put the Hokies on the Map, idling helmetless on the sideline. In any other situation, it would've been Randall's coming-out party, the first chapter in what looks like a new Air A-Tech in Blacksburg. Somehow, ESPN, not to mention the Lane Stadium crowd, made it feel like Randall was the undercard.

When Vick did make his grand entrance, on Drive No. 4, he flawlessly picked up for Randall and engineered yet another TD drive. 28-0 Hokies. But it was clear that Frank Beamer does not have a quarterback controversy; rather, he has too much talent behind center to deal with it in a conventional, one-QB offense. Randall, a junior, is the main cog in the attack, even more so than highly touted running back Kevin Jones. And Vick, a redshirt freshman, can undoubtedly handle the reins when asked.

Still, the question begs: If Randall is on a tear, what's gained taking him out for Vick? Randall has no qualms about the current situation, but even he admits that momentum is at risk.

"Any time you go out, you kind of lose it a little bit," Randall said. "It's hard to pick up right where I left off, after being as hot as I was after those first few drives."

When Randall was reinserted, immediately after Vick's debut drive, he twice threw deep instead of sticking to his bread and butter, mostly 10-yard routes. Both the bombs fell for incompletions. The drive ended without a score, and momentum stalled.

It's a shame not to utilize a weapon like Vick, whose potential is unlimited. But in a big game, if Randall comes out ablaze, it would be a bigger shame to kill that momentum.

Vick won't be in action Saturday against James Madison due to a one-game suspension (reason: unknown) handed down on Tuesday. But when he returns, how much of a changeup are the Hokies throwing opponents by bringing him in?

A team like Georgia uses a two-QB system to vary the look of its offense, subbing out its sizable, dropback lefty, David Greene, for the smaller, elusive righty, D.J. Shockley. But the talked-about differences between Randall and Vick -- namely, that Vick is quicker and throws a better deep ball -- may be more exaggerated in the world of video games than in the real world. Enough so that Randall, an avid player in the other dimension of college football that is NCAA 2004 for Playstation2, had cause to gripe to its developers.

"Guys were saying to me, 'You know how slow you are in the game?' I have to be one of the slowest quarterbacks, which I know is not true. They've got me at lineman speed. Now, Marcus, he's four times faster than me! And he was already the fastest QB in the game last year! Not that he isn't a fast guy, but, c'mon."

In the real world, Virginia Tech seems to be swapping out one talented, elusive righty -- one with experience and superb efficiency ... for another talented, elusive righty, who is younger and may be faster. And Beamer seems to be planning on doing it for a while, saying he'll "take it week-to-week and see what happens."

Beamer's two QBs take everything in stride; the spotlight, the subbing and the so-called battle. They look like best of friends on the sideline, talking strategy, cracking jokes about the D-linemen they left in the dust. And neither guy is about to second-guess his coach -- but it's worth asking -- When Randall's playing virtual coach, on Playstation, how does he handle personnel?

"I play myself. Of course. There's no subbing."

If he keeps playing like he did against UCF -- 22-of-28 passing, 280 yards, three touchdowns -- it's a strategy Beamer will at least have to consider.

Target on his back

Braylon Edwards had his touchdown dance ready for Michigan's opener. Danny Moloshok/Getty Images

Braylon Edwards may have earned the right over the offseason to wear the coveted No. 1 jersey at Michigan. But in the Wolverines' opener vs. Central Michigan, the star wideout appeared to be deep in the doghouse of coach Lloyd Carr, who kept Edwards on the bench to start the game. Rarely does a player who catches two touchdowns -- as Edwards did on Saturday -- draw such fierce criticism from his coach. "Braylon Edwards and I are not on the same page," Carr told the Detroit Free Press. "And Braylon is a very good reader. So what he needs to do is find what page I'm on and get there."

Ooh, that's McNasty

Quarterback Rod Rutherford's status for Pittsburgh's opener (Saturday, vs. Kent State) is unclear after a woman filed a criminal complaint against him for an alleged car window-smashing incident outside a Pittsburgh bar. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Rutherford and several Pitt players had attented a party that night at a place called Philthy McNasty's, which, for those unfamiliar with Pittsburgh, is just a sports bar and is neither filthy nor nasty. But you can just imagine coach Walt Harris warning his troops ... "Stay out of trouble this weekend. And for god sakes, no more tomfoolery at Philthy McNasty's!"

Mouth to mouth

This weekend's Florida-Miami game has the obvious revenge factor: New Miami QB Brock Berlin, a former Gator backup, defected Gainesville in 2001 for the rival 'Canes. Yet, several Florida players, including senior offensive lineman Shannon Snell, still say they're fond of the ex-QB . "I still love Brock and everything," Snell said, "but I hope our defense hits him in the mouth. I hope we make his mouth bleed." Now, that, folks, is tough love.

OK, so you're the nation's best tight end ... but this was rather presumptuous. The much-hyped Kellen Winslow had four catches for just 35 yards against Louisiana Tech on Thursday night, yet still thought it fashionable to flash a Heisman pose after catching his first TD of the season during the third quarter of a rout.

Colorado State was considered by many the non-BCS team with seemingly the best shot at running the table, but the Rams could easily be 0-2 by the end of this week. Joel Klatt overpowered CSU in Denver last Saturday, and a surprisingly good Cal team -- which just beat Southern Miss 34-2 -- awaits.

Everyone and their mother had something negative to say about the jerseys Oregon debuted against Mississippi State Saturday night (for some reason, we enjoyed them), but what about Illinois' new duds? All that blaze orange made it feel like deer hunting season at the Edward Jones Dome. Somehow, no one could bag Mizzou's Brad Smith.

Here's where readers get to chime in on a certain topic. This week's question: Is a two-quarterback system, when the tandem is Randall-Vick, Martin-Leak or Greene-Shockley, the way to go, or should a coach settle on one man behind center? Be sure to explain why.

FEEDBACK MAILBAG Have questions or feedback? E-mail Luke Winn. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

And now, on to your comments from last week, when we asked: If you could pick one current college football player -- regardless of his class -- to build your team around, who would you take?

Without a doubt ... Chris Gamble. He played over 120 plays in the Fiesta Bowl victory over Miami and was by far that fastest man on the field. He's got incredible hands and never get tired. He'll help any team as a go-to wide receiver and as a shut down corner. He also understands the game and returns punts... by far HE-IS the MAN. 
 -- Mark C., Columbus, Ohio

I would pick to build my team around Miami tight end Kellen Winslow. This specimen of a human being is like the $6 million man! Did you see him in the Fiesta Bowl? In my opinion, if the ball would have gone to him a few more times, there would not have been a need for overtime, because he would have won the game. With his knowledge of being a receiver along with his agility, speed and confidence, Winslow would make ANY team a contender. 
 -- Manny Rico, Miami

I can't really decide on one player to build around. However, I can think of one player I would not build around: Maurice Clarett.  
 -- Steve Snyder, Dayton, Ohio

After watching him rip through all challengers last year, including my beloved Auburn Tigers, I would have to say that David Pollack of Georgia would be my choice as the foundation of my team. I mean, what else can you say about a guy whose motor never stops running, and has earned the respect of the entire conference, to say nothing of what he means to his team. And just think, as coach I would never have to worry about him showing up in any compromising photos with a Playboy bunny. 
 -- Ryan, Atlanta

As a Maryland alum I hate to say this, but I'd have to go with Marcus Vick of Virginia Tech. Some will argue he hasn't done a thing yet, but every so often players (or in this case, families) come along that you just know can get it done at the highest level. Like Herschel Walker, Raghib Ismail and of course, Michael Vick, you can just tell this kid is going to be the goods -- and what better position to build around than a QB? 
 -- Jack Deschauer, Arlington, Va.

Philip Rivers, QB, NC State. You don't see many four-year starters at QB and this guy was awesome as a freshman. By midseason he'll have rewritten most of the ACC record book and before the year's over he'll have rewritten the entire thing. If Mr. Rivers isn't the very definition of "franchise QB", I don't know what is. 
 -- Tom Gibson, Mill Hall, Pa.

The player I would build my team around is Craig Krenzel, Ohio State's QB. While Craig may not be the best passer, or the best scrambler, he has more than sufficient skills in these areas, along with being big, strong and smart enough to make quick decisions and adjustments beyond what the average quarterback is expected to do, and can do. He is exactly what a coach needs to mold a team around, whether the emphasis is on passing or running. Plus, he can dissect a defense as well as most coaches can. He's my man! 
 -- John Kirkland, Suwanee

Luke Winn is college football producer for SI.com. The Beat appears every Wednesday throughout the season.