Seated in opposite corners of the Jordan-Hare Stadium media room Wednesday night, the two contenders to be Auburn’s starting quarterback offered their pitches for why they deserve the job.

Not surprisingly, it was sophomore Kiehl Frazier getting most of the attention. He is considered the favorite. Has been since spring.

Part of the reason is fellow competitor Clint Moseley’s inability to throw much this offseason, the result of a torn labrum in his passing shoulder that has yet to heal even now, 15 days before the opening game.

Frazier said there were other factors to consider, things he uniquely brings to the table.

“Just kind of mobility,” Frazier said, “because last year I just ran it every time I was in. So this year hopefully I’ll pass it a lot more, but I can still bring that mobility out there.”

His answer surprises no one. Last year, Frazier was used as a runner, mostly out of the Wildcat. It is his trademark, the one thing Frazier does best.

When asked the same question across the room, Moseley offered the opposite breakdown of himself.

“Just command of the offense, running it,” Moseley said. “I feel like this offense fits me pretty well. I’m not exactly a runner, so I feel like it really focuses on more dropback things to me, and the wide zone plays. So I feel like I command the offense pretty well.”

It’s the reason Chizik pointed to when explaining earlier this fall why he’s been so slow to name Frazier the starter, despite Moseley’s sore shoulder. Earlier this fall, Frazier admitted he’s still learning the coverages and proper protections.

It also painted a vivid contrast of what Auburn could have under center this fall.

In one corner, Frazier is the athletic youngster. He’s sleek and speedy and possibly state of the art.

Moseley is older. Not old, just older. He’s a veteran, already boasting six games of starting experience. But you’re never going to drive him 100 mph on the interstate.

For his part, Chizik said he wasn’t concerned with what makes Frazier and Moseley different. Their job is to fit into the same offense. The offense isn’t fit specifically to them.

“They’ve all got to do the same thing,” Chizik said. “I think all the quarterbacks are different, and the offense is going to require them all to do and learn and execute the same things every day. But, you know, some guys have a bit more experience. Some guys don’t.

“They all bring a little bit different something to the table.”

Even in the same offense, the individual flavor of Frazier and Moseley matter. There are bound to be more quarterback carries with one than the other.

But what I found interesting was, when asked about what they do well, Frazier immediately went to his physical gifts while Moseley talked about the mental side of the game.

Of course, they are more yin and yang than complete opposites. Moseley has enough athletic ability to play SEC football, and Frazier is plenty smart enough to read the complexities of an SEC season.

But for the most part, Frazier has the potential to be a Corvette. Moseley is a Honda Civic. One is a known quantity, trusty and reliable. The other gives you more options.

Question is, to which one does Chizik want to hand over the keys?

From: Opelika-Auburn News