Bates vs Arnaud

jaretac

Well-Known Member
Nov 26, 2006
7,642
337
83
Frigidaire
Bates came in with Chizik's first recruiting class. McCarney might have been working on him a little before, but it was Chizik that recruiting him.
 

CycloneWarning

Well-Known Member
Jan 14, 2008
3,520
860
83
Guess we'll find out in 3 weeks regarding your opinion that Bates will be starting. Me thinks otherwise, and so do the coaches.
 

CycloneWarning

Well-Known Member
Jan 14, 2008
3,520
860
83
Not correct. Bates committed to Mac. GC held him in the fold, but he was one of ISU's early recruits.
 

lennon3

Member
Apr 11, 2006
586
6
18
Bates came in with Chizik's first recruiting class. McCarney might have been working on him a little before, but it was Chizik that recruiting him.

A little? He committed to Mac, then decommitted when he left... but Mac more than went after him "a little."
 

CyRocket

Member
Jan 31, 2007
313
19
18
After listening to and reading reports and opinions of people who know football it seems to me that most (not on this board) think that AA seperated himself from PB with his play Thursday. The team played better with AA. There seemed to be more of a flow with the game with him behind center. Stat wise there was not much differance and granted PB is super exciting but over the long haul AA appears to be the one who will bring the greatest results. All of this discussion is interesting but in the end GC and the staff will IMHO will do whats best. I hope PB stays but if he feels its best for him to leave so be it. We have a very talented QB redshirting this year who will provide more discussion next year. I only hope we don't turn into Hawk fans always thinking the best is on the bench.
 

BryceC

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Mar 23, 2006
26,461
19,620
113
I agree with those that said Arnaud did play better than Bates, but it was Bates' first time actually playing QB. As D UP said, Arnaud had more plays but Bates accounted for more yards. They both played well.

In my opinion we won't see a definitive decision made as to who will be the full time starter until Big 12 play. Chizik is a conference guy and he uses these non-conference games to get ready for conference play. I think we'll see them both play significant time in both of the road games in order to help make a decision.
 

cloneaholic

Active Member
Apr 20, 2006
688
87
28
I like both quarterbacks and I wouldn't mind seeing us go to a dual system (i.e., Buddy Hardeman and Wayne Stanley).

I'm a bit surprised that everyone thinks AA is by far the "safer" choice. Did anyone else notice that he threw a jump ball into triple coverage when he completed the pass to our tight end on the very first series of downs? If it wasn't for a great catch by our tight end, chances are it would have been a pick. Also, I believe AA threw 3 picks in the spring game.

I'm not knocking AA because I think he'll work his way into being an excellent quarterback, but I don't perceive him as being all that much safer than PB. I agree with BryceC and BrianHos, I think that PB might have a greater upside in the end, and I have a feeling that he might be the starter by mid-season if we don't have a dual system. I'd really like to keep both of them happy, if possible.
 

Al_4_State

Moderator
Staff member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Mar 27, 2006
32,442
28,796
113
40
Driftless Region
Visit site
I don't know how anyone could think Bates gained any ground on Arnaud in the first game. First off Bates fumbled the ball, that is not rookie mistake that is part of the fundamentals of the game by protecting the football at all times. Second, I was not impressed with a couple of Bates passes that were less than crisp, 1 of them I thought looked like a "duck" pass.

I was very impressed with Arnaud's poise and confidence as well as how the offense just seemed to operate smoother with him running it. Yes, Bates had some nice runs but also consider the team on the other side of the ball defending it. I'd like to see more of both of them but I bet you by the Iowa game Arnaud is taking most of the snaps. They both can run, Bates more than AA, but in the passing game I think Arnaud has the edge and to me I'd much rather have a solid passing QB than one that is going to run more than pass. The more Bates plays the more defenses are going to defend him against the run and make him throw the ball. I think both are talented players but I'm not sold that we'd be better off with a running QB. We have plenty of depth at RB this season, I'd rather hand the ball off to one of our RB than have our QB exposing himself to more hits.


Couldn't have said it better. Anyone that hopes/thinks Bates will beat Arnaud out as the starter probably says their prayers to Seneca Wallace before they go to bed. I like the 2 QB system, because Bates brings things to the table, but Arnaud is this team's general...
 

Steve

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
4,211
778
113
I don't see physical talent as being the determining factor as to who ends up with the most playing time. Both are talented, both can throw (maybe Arnaud has the edge), both can run (maybe Bates has the edge), both exhibit confidence, poise and leadership.

What it will come down to is who is the best at countering some of the aggressive attacking defenses that we will face when we get into conference play. Who will make the best decisions when faced with an all-out blitz? Who is best at buying time? Who is best at knowing when to go to the hot read? Who is best at finding the 2nd or 3rd option on a play?

The guy who ends up handling these challenges the best will end up providing the best chance to win. I doubt if anyone has a firm grasp on the answers at this point. Let's sit back and enjoy the development and competition as this plays out.
 

06_CY

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
4,836
1,837
113
I'm a bit surprised that everyone thinks AA is by far the "safer" choice. Did anyone else notice that he threw a jump ball into triple coverage when he completed the pass to our tight end on the very first series of downs? If it wasn't for a great catch by our tight end, chances are it would have been a pick.

So your saying never make the tough throw? He put the ball where the tight end could get it. Great catch by the TE, IMO good throw by AA as well.

Also, I believe AA threw 3 picks in the spring game.

3 picks against a defense that knows the plays...and that had 5 against SDSU...:wideeyed:

I'm not knocking AA...

Umm...yes you are...

I like AA and PB, but AA looked better at QB. PB looked erratic; he busted a nice run after he turned the wrong way for a handoff...
 

mike4cy

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2006
2,614
59
48
Urbandale
It will not go all season, Bates will be the QB by week 4.

I have been saying this for 3 weeks, and now I still say that. HOWEVER....Arnaud is a great option and he is the guy that I give the ball to if we are down less than a touchdown and need a 2 minute drill. Bates right now is more risk more reward. I love having both of them, gives the D a lot more to plan for.
 

Clones85'

Just Win Baby
Jan 31, 2007
13,242
645
113
I like both quarterbacks and I wouldn't mind seeing us go to a dual system (i.e., Buddy Hardeman and Wayne Stanley).

I'm a bit surprised that everyone thinks AA is by far the "safer" choice. Did anyone else notice that he threw a jump ball into triple coverage when he completed the pass to our tight end on the very first series of downs? If it wasn't for a great catch by our tight end, chances are it would have been a pick. Also, I believe AA threw 3 picks in the spring game.

I'm not knocking AA because I think he'll work his way into being an excellent quarterback, but I don't perceive him as being all that much safer than PB. I agree with BryceC and BrianHos, I think that PB might have a greater upside in the end, and I have a feeling that he might be the starter by mid-season if we don't have a dual system. I'd really like to keep both of them happy, if possible.

Huh? Did you just bring up the spring game in your argument?!?! We are talking about practice. Not a game, not a game, but practice. I mean what are we talking about, practice? It's practice man
 
  • Like
Reactions: IcSyU

CYdTracked

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2006
18,575
9,412
113
Grimes, IA
I know a lot wont agree with me here, but I think Bates is a better runner than Wallace. I think he is faster and has better moves.

But I don't think he is nearly the passer. Few are

What do you have to go by besides 1 game against a weak opponent and a few meaningless series last season? Please folks, hold off on the Wallace comparisions because Bates hasn't even played enough to fairly say that.
 

CYdTracked

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2006
18,575
9,412
113
Grimes, IA
Itight end, chances are it would have been a pick. Also, I believe AA threw 3 picks in the spring game.

Throw the spring game out of the window finally people! It's a glorified practice! Who cares what they did nearly 6 months ago, I care about what I saw Thursday night and what I'll see from here on out.

This whole thread reeks of Hawkeye mentality that our backup QB is the best player on the team. The only opinions that counts are the coaches and based off who saw more time on the field it looks like AA is the guy that is going to be leading this team barring a complete meltdown. I hope when we start seeing less and less of Bates that all you Bates lovers can accept it and not sound like a Hawkeye fan and call for Bates every time AA makes a mistake.
 

BKLYNCyclone

Well-Known Member
Sep 16, 2007
2,122
104
63
Twin Cities, MN
If Bates was as good as Seneca, he would have started this last game. I thought AA ran the offense more consistently. Things seemed a little frantic when PB was the QB. That being said, both QBs played really well for the most part. I keep hoping that we'll be able to take advantage of both of these guys' talent at the same time. I could see either one pulling an "Austin Flynn" and converting to WR... In any case, I want these guys to get a chance to play, no matter what the position.
 

benjay

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2006
5,141
372
83
I thought Arnaud looked better. I hope they continue to give Bates reps over the nonconference schedule and give him a chance to develop and prove himself, but you don't split time at QB in conference play waiting for someone's "upside" to kick in.
 

BigLame

Well-Known Member
Feb 6, 2008
5,150
2,228
113
Western IA
I agree with Travman23, but to reiterate, keep getting Bates some possessions. In arguably the best conference in college football (Big 12 & SEC - not trying to start another thread), you need depth at EVERY position. Last I saw, it was these two, then ? Tiller's being redshirted last I knew.
But, as many have already stated, this is a very good problem to have. Let's have confidence in our staff that the correct decisions are being made for the interest of the team. Second-guessing and predicting by which game who will win out smacks of Hawk-izm, and it allows doubt to build in the mind of the player(s) -- see Jake Christensen.
 

jaretac

Well-Known Member
Nov 26, 2006
7,642
337
83
Frigidaire
I think I've figured it out. Bates will certainly be the starter if it is not Arnaud and vice versa. Now that we have that figured out, we just have to wait and see who the starter will be.:wink:
 

Omaha Cy

Well-Known Member
Sep 1, 2007
5,118
1,779
113
www.tecmobowl-vs-rbi.com
Im not aboard to call Bates a talent similar to Wallace just yet, but Bates does off that X-factor to the offense and sometimes that added dimension makes the biggest difference in hanging with much superior teams.

If they have a clear cut signal caller, but the other sees the field for a few series a game all season, id be perfectly fine with that.

While the falcons were to me always not much more than a .500 team the Vick factor made them extremely dangerous on any given sunday...moreso than any other middle of the pack team. bates is no vick in terms of running and such, but theres bound to be some games where he could take over(his upside) moreso than AA.
 
Last edited: