I've said this before.
I don't think TM looked any better or any worse then Nesbitt did in his first starting year. Same trouble with reads on the option, same tendency to keep the ball, same good mechanics on deep throws - so-so on short ones, same problems linking up with the WRs. But we remember him fondly for that year. Because of Dwyer. Having a great BB made all the difference, especially against the Dwags. Now you know why I so regret the actions against Mills, no matter how understandable. Benson did great things this year, but Mills gives us two wins out of the three slop games and gets the 2 points against UT.
Well, if TM improves as much between his first and second seasons as Nesbitt did, then things will be pretty good at QB. We still don't have a Dwyer, but Benson is no slouch and has a year under his belt. Do either of these factors mean that TM remains our starting QB? No, that'll be up to developments over spring and fall. Does it mean that TM will be better next year, if he starts? Yep, almost certainly. Does that also mean that if someone beats him out we'll be in even better shape? Yep, almost certainly.
The main thing about next years schedule is that it won't be as fierce as the one this year. We had an horrendous SoS this year, usually in the top 10. Next year … well, not so much, mainly because the ACC will not be as strong and we'll be better. Depend on that. Then all we have to do is get the Football Gods back on our side …