No QB Controversy: Why having Trinidad Chambliss, Austin Simmons isn't a problem for Lane Kiffin

Some might say there is a quarterback controversy ramping up at Ole Miss between Austin Simmons and Trinidad Chambliss. However, college football analyst Josh Pate disagrees.

The sentiment comes after Chambliss has started the past two games for the Rebels in place of an injured Simmons. He led the team to wins in both games, putting up impressive numbers with 660 yards passing, 174 yard rushing and five total touchdowns with no interceptions.

It has caused some to question whether Chambliss might be good enough to remain the starter even when Simmons is healthy. But to Pate, that doesn’t fit the definition of a controversy. It’s a benefit to Ole Miss, in fact.

“Now what we have is one of the most overrated terms in college football brewing in Oxford, and that is ‘quarterback controversy,’” he said on Josh Pate’s College Football Show. ‘What’s the controversy? They’ve got two really good quarterbacks. One of them’s been hurt so the other one’s come in. Austin Simmons has been hurt, Trinidad Chambliss comes in lighting it up because that’s what Lane Kiffin quarterbacks do. I was told today that there’s a quarterback controversy there.

“I asked, ‘What is the controversy?’ They said, ‘Well, Trinidad Chambliss is playing really good ball.’ Then there was a pause and I was like, ‘Finish your sentence.’ They’re like, ‘No, that’s the sentence. He’s playing really good. What do you do with Austin Simmons when he comes back?’ My answer was, ‘Probably play the one that gives you the best chance to win.’ Are you telling me Lane has two guys he can win with? That’s not a controversy, that’s depth.”

Simmons has also started two games this season, and those were each Ole Miss wins too. His numbers on the season are 580 yards passing and four touchdowns with four interceptions in addition to 69 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Simmons was considered “available” last week for a 45-10 victory against Tulane but coach Lane Kiffin opted to sit him behind Chambliss because he was not 100% healthy. But with a matchup against No. 4 LSU, looming on Saturday, the questions are already starting to come as to which QB will get the starting nod.

Kiffin has still not said which way he is leaning. But one thing is for certain: it’s not a bad position to be him.

“Having multiple winners in your quarterback room is not controversial,” Pate said. “Having none you can win with is controversial and just having to trot one out there every week. That’s controversial. That’s not fun. Lane gets paid plenty enough money to sweat the decision over which of his really good quarterbacks he’s gonna play. Also, it’s nice to know you don’t have to rush a guy back who’s injured because his backup can win too.”