Who Does BYU Start Against Liberty: Wilson, Hall, Romney Or Critchlow?

PROVO, Utah – Different week, same question for BYU Football. “Who’s going to start at quarterback?” We’ve been here before, and the answer did not disappoint.

Normally, this question would bring a head coach and his offensive coordinator some accelerated hair-graying stress, but the Cougars have discovered quite a luxury.

Three different quarterbacks have started, and WON a game this season. Zach Wilson, Jaren Hall, and Baylor Romney have combined for a feat that hasn’t happened since 2012 when Riley Nelson, Taysom Hill, and James Lark all teamed up in that effort.

Who should @BYUfootball start at quarterback against @LibertyFootball?

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 9, 2019

Still need proof that Hall and Romney have what it takes? Both were in the Top 10 in ESPN’s Week 10 Total Quarterback Rating (QBR) after the Utah State game, with Hall leading the nation.

Let me repeat that. Hall LED THE NATION. Romney wasn’t too shabby either, coming in at No. 10.

ESPN TOTAL QBR WK 10

1 Jaren Hall/BYU 98.9
2 Stephen Calvert/LIB 96.6
3 Jake Fromm/UGA 96.3
4 Tyler Huntley/UTAH 96.0
5 Chris Reynolds/CLT 95.7
6 Jamie Newman/WF 95.2
7 Quinten Dormady/CMU 95.1
8 Skylar Thompson/KSU 94.6
9 Caleb Evans/ULM 94.2
10 Baylor Romney/BYU 94.2#CFB150

— CFB Focus 🏈 (@cffmwachsman) November 3, 2019

Keep in mind, we’re only eight games in to this BYU Football season. Could there be a fourth starting QB with a win in 2019?

Don’t push it.

For the sake of the coaches’ hair status and stress levels, let’s hope BYU doesn’t have to call upon Joe Critchlow (who by the way is 2-1 as a starter).

No, it won’t be Joe. So who then?

Let’s recap the current quarterback setup for Wilson, Hall, and Romney, who were all listed on the BYU depth chart this week as possible starters.

Just received #BYU's depth chart. QB depth for Liberty game is listed as the following:

Zach Wilson
-OR- Jaren Hall
-OR- Baylor Romney
Joe Critchlow

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 4, 2019

Zach Wilson

His speedy recovery and rehab from a broken thumb suffered against Toledo in late September has been somewhat remarkable. It’s also a testament to how much Wilson wants to get back on the field.

He’s throwing in practice, but for the good of BYU and Wilson, I think it’s wise to give him at least another week of recovery.

When Zach Wilson can have a full week of first-team practice reps, then he’ll be the guy.

Maybe it’ll be next week against Idaho State. Then again, maybe BYU should start Joe Critchlow against a struggling FCS foe.

Do you want to see Zach Wilson on Saturday if he's not at 100%@Spencer_Linton wants the "filet mignon" – aka Zach Wilson against Liberty.

Who do you want to see at QB this weekend?#BYUSN pic.twitter.com/vE7YsY8oNQ

— BYU Sports Nation (@BYUSportsNation) November 6, 2019

Jaren Hall

Hall looked dynamite in the first half of action against Utah State in Logan. His throws were on target, his running ability caused the Aggie defense all sorts of problems, and his leadership was solid.

Unfortunately, Hall took another shot to the head and suffered a perceived concussion for the second time this season.

Hall has earned the right to play and be the back-up.  He has earned the respect of his teammates and coaches.

Unfortunately, he probably hasn’t earned the green light from doctors to play Saturday.

Watch for Hall to return in a few weeks. With Liberty, Idaho State, and UMass all on the schedule, there’s no real reason BYU should run Hall out on the field and risk anything long term.

Jaren Hall is day-to-day according to #BYU head coach Kalani Sitake.

Zach Wilson is in between questionable and doubtful for this week’s game against Liberty. pic.twitter.com/9eEjCQugqh

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 4, 2019

Baylor Romney

Here we land on the answer to this week’s question.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your BYU starting quarterback against Liberty on Saturday will be… Baylor Romney.

In fact, I knew Romney would be the starter the moment I heard BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes say Romney’s foot injury would “not prevent him from playing this week.”

Romney, who I’m guessing has a resting heart rate of around 12, has become the most pleasant of surprises for BYU this season.

Baylor Romney steps in for an injured Jaren Hall and helps #BYU close it out over the Aggies. #BYUvsUSU pic.twitter.com/BdNJL1Z7pS

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 3, 2019

The third-string sensation calmly won his only start against then No. 14 Boise State and followed that up with a cool, collected 21-0 second half offensive output at Utah State.

The guy just doesn’t get flustered. He doesn’t disappoint coaches. He executes the plan. He makes good decisions.

Most importantly, he wins.

If it weren’t for his lingering foot injury, I’d say he’ll be the clear starter for the next few weeks.  But without some quarterback speculation, it just wouldn’t be quite as fun now, would it?

As for who should play backup to the starter, that answer is easy – Joe Critchlow – for one simple reason. He’s healthy.

I’ll see you next week for another edition of “Who’s the BYU starting quarterback?”