QB Decision Monday in the 956: Did Two Interceptions Make the Decision?

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“This decision needs to come Monday.”

That was our take Sunday night on DITV.

And we weren’t talking to an empty room. At one point, 180 people were watching live at the same time, with the chat moving while we argued quarterback, running backs, the defense, Corey Holmes and what changes now that Southland play is here.

That’s exactly what we want DITV to become.

The Valley’s only live sports talk show on YouTube should feel like the place where 956 sports fans can show up, disagree, defend their guy and be part of the conversation instead of just watching it from the outside.

Sunday’s biggest debate was obvious:

Who should be UTRGV’s QB1?

Our lean after Saturday?

Garret Rangel.

But we made a case for both quarterbacks. AJ moved the football and brought a different element with his legs. The part we couldn’t get around was the two interceptions.

We said it live:

“Those two interceptions hurt, and I think that’s what’s going to be the killer of this competition.”

That was the separator for us. Rangel looked steadier, protected the football and showed more ability to move around the pocket than we expected. AJ showed why this was a legitimate competition, but when the race is close, two turnovers become difficult to overlook.

That’s why we eventually said:

“I think Garrett’s going to win the starting job.”

Not a declaration.

Not us pretending we make the decision.

Just our read after two games: Rangel’s case looks a little cleaner, and those two interceptions may have made the difference.

THEN COACH BUSH MADE IT MORE INTERESTING

If you haven’t watched the latest UTRGV Coaches Show, go watch it. We’re intentionally not giving away the whole show here.

But Bush said something that immediately connected back to what 180 people were arguing about with us Sunday.

“That was the plan all along…with the quarterback rotation these first two games.”

Bush said the goal was to split time, put both quarterbacks into different environments and “evaluate and see how each one handles some stuff.”

Then, talking about Rangel:

“Calm, cool, collected.”

Bush also said:

“Nothing really phases him.”

Those are strong comments.

But Bush still didn’t name QB1. That distinction matters.

DITV thinks it could be Rangel. Bush makes the call.

If Games 1 and 2 were the evaluation period, now the 956 wants to know what the evaluation produced.

“WE CAN’T PLAY FIVE RUNNING BACKS AGAINST NICHOLLS.”

Quarterback wasn’t the only position where Sunday’s show got going.

We said:

“We can’t play five running backs against Nicholls. It just can’t happen.”

Then the conversation turned to Broderick “Turbo” Taylor.

We see the burst. We see why people are excited.

But our question was simple:

“I want to see him against the ones.”

We’re entering conference play. At some point, we want to see that explosiveness when the starters are on the field and the game is still completely alive.

Then Bush goes on the Coaches Show and calls Taylor:

“One of our most explosive runners.”

And:

“You’ll probably see him a lot more. He’s earning more reps.”

Okay, Coach.

Now we’re watching that rotation.

THE DEFENSE? BETTER THAN THE SCORE FELT — BUT THE BIG PLAYS HURT

This was another conversation on DITV that deserves more attention.

The first question we asked was pretty direct:

“Did UTRGV make Owen McCown uncomfortable?”

Our answer?

“No.”

That was the biggest issue. UTRGV didn’t get him on the ground, didn’t consistently speed him up and allowed too many explosive plays.

But our takeaway wasn’t that the defense was bad.

We actually said:

“The defense did okay. It’s just what really killed them is those explosive plays.”

And there was a stretch we thought mattered.

The third quarter.

Owen McCown was still at quarterback, and UTRGV’s defense responded. We pointed out that UTSA didn’t score in the quarter, with the Vaqueros forcing a punt and a turnover on downs.

Our reaction on the show:

“UTRGV stood up.”

That’s the part we want to carry into Southland play.

We also talked about individual defenders showing they belonged physically. Alijah Prosser stood out to us tackling in space, getting off blocks and playing aggressively. The concern wasn’t whether UTRGV had defensive players who could compete.

It was the explosive plays.

Too many of them.

And against Nicholls, that’s the defensive question we’ll be watching: can UTRGV make an offense earn its way down the field instead of giving away the chunk play?

COREY HOLMES?

Our Corey Holmes take was much simpler.

“He belongs on that field.”

UTPB was one test.

UTSA was another.

Holmes still showed up.

Bush said he specifically wanted to see Holmes against that caliber of defensive back and defense.

His answer?

“He just keeps doing the same thing.”

At some point, “young guy flashing” starts sounding outdated.

Corey Holmes can play.

Now conference defenses get their turn and I am telling your right now, he will put up Boogieman type numbers.

NOW IT’S 0-0

Near the end of Sunday’s show, we put the first two games where they belong.

Behind UTRGV.

“It’s conference. These games matter.”

Then:

“They don’t matter anymore. 0 and 0.”

Bush called those opening games “huge evaluations for us in a lot of positions.”

Perfect.

Now we see what those evaluations produced.

Does Rangel get the keys?

How much Turbo do we see?

Does the running back rotation tighten?

Can the defense eliminate the explosive plays?

Has Corey Holmes established himself as one of the offense’s main pieces?

Those are the conversations we’re going to keep having live.

And this is where we need the 956.

Sunday reached 180 concurrent viewers, and the room felt alive. Fans were giving us takes, challenging ours and talking UTRGV football together in real time.

That’s momentum.

But we want more.

DITV is The Valley’s only live sports talk show on YouTube. If you want independent 956 sports coverage like this to keep growing, join the live room. Bring another fan. Get in the chat. Tell us when we’re right and definitely tell us when we’re wrong.

The bigger the room gets, the better this community gets.

Wednesday night?

Nicholls gets the full treatment. Come argue with us.