Stephen Johnson makes case for starting quarterback spot, at least one teammate agree

[teamchemistry15]

having much more to do with poor tackling than good qb play.

Johnson was 17-22 with 310 yards and three TDs. He also had zero turnovers. I think a few of his five incompletions were drops and one was a ball thrown out of bounds to avoid a sack if I'm not mistaken. I know they were a bad defense, but the numbers are hard to argue with.

[JEFFCOCATFAN]

Because he's done so well against SEC defenses?

Because he has shown he can pass when healthy.
He also has the mobility to run but I believe Stoops would rather keep him from taking the hits.
If Johnson runs the read option in the SEC he best hand the ball off because he doesn't have the speed to get outside on a fast defense.
Now I guess he is the second coming of Michael Vick ?

[teamchemistry15]

Because he has shown he can pass when healthy.
He also has the mobility to run but I believe Stoops would rather keep him from taking the hits.
If Johnson runs the read option in the SEC he best hand the ball off because he doesn't have the speed to get outside on a fast defense.
Now I guess he is the second coming of Michael Vick ?

Now I guess you're putting words in my mouth. This year Barker has been terrible. After his stellar performance against Florida it should show us he isn't ready. If he was THAT injured he wouldn't have played.

[Westtncat]

Because he has shown he can pass when healthy.
He also has the mobility to run but I believe Stoops would rather keep him from taking the hits.
If Johnson runs the read option in the SEC he best hand the ball off because he doesn't have the speed to get outside on a fast defense.
Now I guess he is the second coming of Michael Vick ?

Why use one standard for one guy? Barker has shown nothing against the SEC if thats the measuring stick. What has Johnson showed that he could do against the SEC? Everything he did is what he showed. I wouldnt expect the same performance but confidence and poise go a long way.

[Brasslock]

I think the decision will be the OC, Gran's. He should be the one who makes the call and I think he will be. Gran knows what he wants to accomplish against SC. I'm not certain Barker will be healthy enough to play so there may be no decision involved on this one. The QB needs to be 100%. I've had a good feeling about Johnson since we recruited him. I would have to agree with Jeffcocatfan on being uncertain that Johnson has the speed/quickness to get outside on SEC defenses. Still, he showed me he can run the read option and use the TE's. I suspect Gran will work a bit more on a third QB, probably Wright. We may end up using 4 QB's before all is said and done.

[Matt Dillon]

I know there are variables, such as how the two olines and QB's compare, that I know nothing about, but Mississippi State's QB ran for 145 yards in their victory over So. Car. a couple of weeks ago.

[KevinHall]

Just reading between the lines of what Stoops said there is a good chance Johnson will get the start Saturday. Barker is having back problems that he said went back to the summer. He is going to have an MRI and then the doctors will basically determine Barker's status. IMO Johnson will start Saturday. Back problems don't magically go away and I would say Barker will be limited for a while.

[Uncle Dave]

Here's the stats.....

Passing Statistics
NAME	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YDS/A	TD	INT	RAT
Stephen Johnson	18	25	355	72.0	14.20	3	0	230.9
Drew Barker	18	36	334	50.0	9.28	4	5	136.8
Totals	37	63	679	58.7	10.78	7	5	170.1