By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Columnist on Aug 18, 2013, at 2:32 AM Updated on 8/18/13 at 5:38 AM
STILLWATER - Mike Gundy has the perfect situation at quarterback.
OK, almost perfect.
Neither Clint Chelf nor J.W. Walsh is Johnny Manziel or Robert Griffin or Cam Newton or Sam Bradford or Tim Tebow. (Then again, who envies Kevin Sumlin's current variables surrounding Manziel at Texas A&M?)
But Gundy does go into the 2013 season looking at about as ideal a situation as a coach can want.
First, he has a starting quarterback for the current season. Though Gundy won't publicly proclaim Chelf as the starter beyond what he did at the Heart of Dallas Bowl and did again in spring practice, Chelf will start when the Cowboys line up against Mississippi State in Houston on Aug. 31.
Second, that starter paid his dues, came up through the system, worked his way up from third string, etc. He's a senior. He's a local kid. He's hungry to prove himself as the Cowboys' next great QB. He hasn't gone through the summer feeling entitled. He has shown patience and perseverance and, ultimately, performance when he got his chance.
Third, Gundy has a proven - often spectacular - backup.
As a redshirt freshman last season, Walsh played in 10 games - more than Chelf (eight), more than erstwhile starter and now departed Wes Lunt (six) - and did everything that was asked of him: He led the trio in passer efficiency rating (13 touchdowns, three interceptions and a team-best .669 completion percentage), rushed for 290 yards and seven touchdowns, essentially started four times and delivered two 300-yard games and a 400-yard game, then became the short-yardage specialist.
Fourth, Walsh is a sophomore, eager to continue to play his short-yardage role if needed, eager to step in for Chelf if necessary, eager to play well so he can inherit the job in 2014 and be a two-year starter.
And fifth, if Chelf stumbles or if Walsh makes a late push in training camp, Walsh clearly is good enough to do the job.
It won't matter who's calling plays at Oklahoma State, Gundy and the Cowboys have a model scenario at the game's most important position.
"We've got two young men that we feel very comfortable with," Gundy said. "And they've worked and they're extremely dedicated to our program. They're great team players."
Gundy won't declare a starter before the opener because Mississippi State is no Savannah State. Whatever sliver of mystery remains - Bulldogs coaches have tons of film from both guys they can study before Aug. 31 - Gundy wants State secrets to remain secret.
"We'll need to use every advantage we have to give ourselves the best opportunity to win that game," Gundy said.
Gundy explained that both Chelf and Walsh will spend their preseason taking equal snaps. That's a great idea, what with both guys playing a major role. And though Chelf probably still could use a little extra polish, it won't hurt anything to get Walsh ready faster, whether it's for backup duty in 2013 or starting duty in 2014.
Besides, Gundy said, the equal reps thing won't truly take away from anyone's work load.
"The one advantage we have in our offense is, in practice and even in games, we get a number of reps because of our tempo," Gundy said. "We expect to play very fast this year. So we'll work both guys."
The old saying about having two quarterbacks meaning you really don't have one - that doesn't apply at Oklahoma State. In fact, it's possible Gundy might actually use a two-quarterback system: Chelf starts and Walsh plays pre-designated series (or vice versa), with each guy operating in a package specific to his strengths.
The Cowboys cycled through three inexperienced QBs last season and still ranked seventh nationally in passing offense, fourth in total offense and third in scoring offense.
Now, both guys have big-game experience and a posse of proven playmakers.
"I think that's got to be the scariest thing for rest of the Big 12, if we put both those guys back there at different times," receiver Blake Jackson told ESPN.com. "That's really dangerous."
Original Print Headline: Gundy has win-win situation at quarterback
