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Nick Tiano will have a say in the Quarterback Battle

By Justin Strawn

Oct 4, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs mascot Bully comes on to the field prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Davis Wade Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Aggies 48-31. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs mascot Bully comes on to the field prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Davis Wade Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Aggies 48-31. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Most people have given the quarterback job for the Mississippi State football team to Nick Fitzgerald, but Nick Tiano could sneak in and take the job.

Conventional wisdom has told Mississippi State football fans that Nick Fitzgerald has the lead to win the starting job at quarterback this fall. Elijah Staley has the talent to compete, but he hasn’t shown he can capitalize it so far in the limited action we saw him in during the spring.

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But it would be a mistake to forget about redshirt freshman Nick Tiano. If things play out correctly, Tiano could find himself getting the job and not one of the sophomores.

Ever since Nick Fitzgerald and Elijah Staley came to Starkville, they have both been eying this season as their chance to put their stamp on the Mississippi State football team. They both want to be the guy, and both will have the opportunity to make their case in the season opener at South Alabama.

Damian Williams and Nick Tiano will also have the opportunity to get on the field as well. Williams hasn’t shown the ability in his time for the Mississippi State football team to convinve people he can win the job. But we haven’t seen much of Nick Tiano, outside of the Spring Game.

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Fitzgerald and Staley are going to be feeling the pressure when they step on the field for the first time this fall. They both want to make big statements when they have a chance to take the reins of the offense. It wouldn’t surprise me if in an effort to stand out, they both make some poor decisions that leads to turnovers or keep the team out of the endzone.

Tiano won’t be playing with any pressure. He knows he doesn’t have the same experience or playing time to be the expected starter. Nick Tiano can go out with an attitude of nothing to lose, and it could be the slight edge he needs to surpass all of the players who have the most experience on the team.

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I am not saying Mississippi State football fans should expect to see Nick Tiano as the starter. I think Fitzgerald has the best chance to be the guy this fall. But Tiano has the talent, and the skills that fit so well into a Dan Mullen offense that it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see Nick Tiano surprise us all and take the job this fall.

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