Tyler Van Dyke vs Conner Weigman: Miami Hurricanes' Advantage?
Should Miami Hurricanes fans feel their squad holds an advantage over the Texas A&M Aggies because of Tyler Van Dyke being behind center for the Canes?
Here are three questions to consider with regards to each starting signal caller, Miami’s Van Dyke, and Texas A&M’s Conner Weigman.
1) Facing adversity for the first time?
Stating the obvious, Van Dyke has now reached his fourth year at Miami and should be considered a true veteran quarterback. There’s not much he has not already seen schematically or from a crowd and environment standpoint.
This game against Texas A&M will be exciting for him, but no person should believe Van Dyke will be overwhelmed, even against A&M’s talented defensive front. When breaking down the game film between Miami and A&M, will anyone be able to say the same about Weigman?
How much can he be trusted during a big-time road game, while A&M is ranked, for the first time?
2) How’d that feel?
College quarterbacks do not get hit in practice. Heck, college coaches get on the defensive players for even getting close to the quarterbacks, quite often.
During games, however, that’s different. Sure, Weigman has been hit before. Meeting Miami’s front seven will still be quite a new experience for him. Would anyone truly be the same after being walloped by someone like Leonard Taylor III or Ahmad Moten? Of course not!
Van Dyke has been through those situations before. When looking back after the game, let’s consider how Weigman handled being hit hard, and then discussions about his next few throws and/or decisions with the football can be had. Sometimes that one big hit can change a game.
3) Which quarterback can be trusted when a big play will absolutely be needed?
Down three points, third down and seven, backed up inside your own 10 yard line, how does a quarterback respond?
Those have long since been the types of moments that quarterbacks have been judged. Van Dyke has been under duress and delivered during those circumstances. Look back at his incredible run during the 2021 season for evidence. His counterpart will soon have to be in that circumstance versus Miami.
There’s no doubting Weigman’s talent. He has shown since his prep days that he could spin it, no doubt. He threw the ball really well at times last season and certainly versus New Mexico one week ago. Different team, and situation, awaits him in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Against the Canes, it will be Weigman's first nationally televised game with A&M also having high expectations. He did play some last season but that was after the Aggies had been shocked by Appalachian State and the wheels had fallen off the wagon.
Can Weigman rise to the occasion when his teammates absolutely need him to make a clutch throw? There’s no way to know without seeing it first. On the other hand, Van Dyke has proven he can do just that.
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