I’ve said this before - and really believe it - but there is huge difference between the NFL and college in terms of players sticking with teams for extended periods of time and the opportunities coaches have to evaluate talent in game-like situations. In the NFL, backups get preseason, crossover practices with other teams, and blowouts to show what they can do in addition to regular practice. In college, backups get practice and blowouts to prove that they are the better QB, neither of which can truly simulate a meaningful game scenario.
Additionally, a college program may have four QB’s on roster. Unless you are a five star talent, the first year or two should be dedicated purely to development and understanding the offense, leaving you with only a couple/few years as starter. NFL teams can have the same QB for a decade. Aaron Rodgers was drafted in 2005, was a backup until 2008, and then finished 6-10 his first full season. If he were a college player, he might have one more season to play if he redshirted, and may have gotten benched in that time.
My point? Iowa doesn’t need to be Oklahoma where they bench their starter at the first sign of trouble. However, we do need to have a lot shorter leash with our starting QB’s instead of giving them a season and a half of mediocre play to figure it out without ever giving #2 a shot… especially when, like I said, there are three other QB’s on staff chomping at the bit to get their shot