STrib: Tanner Morgan and Zack Annexstad neck and neck in Gophers QB duel

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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per Megan:

The Gophers are in a quarterback battle. And according to teammates and coaches, it is absolutely neck and neck.

So close, in fact, that there’s hardly any difference between Zack Annexstad and Tanner Morgan.

“They both, pretty much, are equal, very equal,” senior receiver Tyler Johnson said. “So there’s pretty much no change in the offense at all when both of them get out there.”

On the field, the two quarterbacks might exude the same confidence and command the same respect. They split time last year, with Morgan taking over for injured Annexstad about halfway through the season. But off the field, believe it or not, they are different people.

http://www.startribune.com/tanner-m...d-neck-and-neck-in-gophers-qb-duel/513417922/

Go Gophers!!
 




I keep seeing mentions that ZA has improved a lot since last season and looked better in Spring practice. I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, but if those reports are accurate, ZA will probably start game #1.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 


I just know the Gophers can beat good teams with Tanner Morgan. They might be able to with Zack Annexstad.

If it looks even, that should win out.
 

PitinoFan said:
You can place a bet on who the starter will be for week one.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Tanner Morgan -120

Zack Annexstad -120
Click to expand...

This is how Vegas built all those fancy casinos. They win 20% juice no matter who the Gophers pick. Unless they are hedging on Seth Green.
 

PitinoFan said:
I keep seeing mentions that ZA has improved a lot since last season and looked better in Spring practice. I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, but if those reports are accurate, ZA will probably start game #1.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

It sounds like he is doing what he did last year. I was pretty struck by how quickly he learned the offense and passed Morgan, who had a year's head start in the offense last year.
 





Just a hunch, but I get a sense that Annexstad may have a higher ceiling, but Morgan is probably the steadier of the two. So it comes down to a question of what the Coaches want.

And don't forget the leadership angle. Fleck seems to really value those intangibles.

if I had to bet my own money, I say Annexstad starts the season opener. The item that he's rooming with two black kids and the big Aussie tells me that he gets along with kids from different backgrounds and cultures. I bet Fleck notices that too.
 

I don’t know who writes these Daily Gopher articles, but their view is that Annexstad has the highest ceiling. They also said Morgan has the “lowest floor,” but I think they intended to say highest floor, because they believe Morgan would make fewer mistakes.

The author also pointed out that the two QBs combined for the most passing yards in a season since 2010.

https://www.thedailygopher.com/2019...backs-upgrade-downgrade-zack-annexstad-morgan


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Ceilings, floors. What is this, HGTV.

It boils down to what factors PJ. values most which may be different than what Coach A, B, or C may value. Obviously there is pure physicality, then the ability to process, then the ability to perform under (real) pressure, then the off field factors. What order and what weighting is given to each guy can obviously vary somewhat between observers. Someone famous once said what really matters is production in terms of Big Ten wins - who makes the least mistakes, who is most consistent, who is most accurate, who moves the chains on game days.
 



There must be a reason for the “higher ceiling” label being applied to ZA, but there is literally nothing on film (available to the general public, at least) that shows an ability to throw an accurate deep pass, in an actual game. Not even in high school. There’s no shortage of evidence that Morgan has this ability.

My preference is whichever one can be competent without making bonehead mistakes.


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If someone forced me to put money on it I'd put it on ZA. I don't know how you take the ball from Morgan after the last few games of last season, just seems crazy to me to do that but for some reason I just think it will be ZA.

In any case, I think we have 2 good options for the first time in a long time. Maybe since I can remember...
 

Glad it is this close. We know how Tanner finished the year and they have both improved. Happy to win with either one. If I knew what was going on in the coaching, development, and film room I would guess. I don't so I won't. Probably be a healthy ZA.
 

It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if Morgan won the job and Annexstad used his redshirt this year.
 

I'm going tomorrow and will report back. It will be interesting to hear from others who attend.
 

Unless an injury occurs, the coaches really need to pick a starter and run with that person. Regardless of how similar in skill the players are. Two different players with different reads, throws and tendencies throw off rhythm when you are constantly swapping them in game.
 

SkerzFan said:
Unless an injury occurs, the coaches really need to pick a starter and run with that person. Regardless of how similar in skill the players are. Two different players with different reads, throws and tendencies throw off rhythm when you are constantly swapping them in game.
Click to expand...

Fleck will pick one by the end of Fall camp.
 

SkerzFan said:
Unless an injury occurs, the coaches really need to pick a starter and run with that person. Regardless of how similar in skill the players are. Two different players with different reads, throws and tendencies throw off rhythm when you are constantly swapping them in game.
Click to expand...

That's the plan. People were worried about that last year and it never happened. Annexstad was the starter and Morgan only played a few snaps at the end of a blowout game and when Annexstad was injured. Then Morgan won the starting job and Annexstad didn't play again. PJ knows what he's doing.
 

diehard said:
Glad it is this close. We know how Tanner finished the year and they have both improved. Happy to win with either one. If I knew what was going on in the coaching, development, and film room I would guess. I don't so I won't. Probably be a healthy ZA.
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I've gone back and forth, the staff saw something in Annexstad last year to start him as a true freshman. I give him the slight edge
 

GopherSteak said:
PJ will pick Morgan unless Zach improves is what I get from this.
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This how it “should” be. But I can almost guarantee ZA will be the starter, unless something unexpected happens.

PJ feels too indebted to ZA, and he’s a Minnesota player.

Tanner played better in games, but it wasn’t apples to apples because of Zach’s injuries and not getting to benefit from better OL play (getting Schlueter out for Faalele was huge).


My prediction is ZA will start and we’ll see from there. He needs to show more zip on throws, and more mobility, compared to last year. Otherwise, I think Tanner will go back in.
 

salzie said:
the staff saw something in Annexstad last year to start him as a true freshman.
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Yes, it was:
- colossal flop of VV
- hauling in massive OL Faalele and Dunlap from IMG, and agreeing to take a “Maroon Shirt” (the first such player to do so, before they even came up with the name) to boot to allow them to be signed
- enrolled early so he could do spring ball as a year 0 player
- being from Minn doesn’t hurt
 
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I think it’s silly to say that Fleck would start Annexstad for any reason other than he thinks ZA gives us the best chance to win.
 

SPEGOPHER said:
I think it’s silly to say that Fleck would start Annexstad for any reason other than he thinks ZA gives us the best chance to win.
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What if ZA and TM are exactly equal? That disproves such a statement.
 


Yes, Fresno is the only good datapoint on ZA. Got hurt very early against Miami OH and that ruined his mobility. I believe also reaggravated against Maryland. Poor OL, combined with no mobility, and he was battered.
 

If Mace had either ZA or Tanner during the Maroney/Barber era he would have won a lot more games. Since Hohensee, can't think of any Gopher QB better than these two.
 

Both are going to play at some point so I don't see 'the big decision' as a major issue. I think chances are low one or the other stays healthy enough to not miss any extended time for a game or two. This is a good problem to have IMO. Usually if you have 2 QB's you have none, but both of our guys have proven capable. I'm actually more comfortable with Morgan just based on what we saw in B1G play. It's one thing to look great vs SDSU, another animal on the road in B1G.
 

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