Redshirt senior quarterback Taylor Kelly goes to celebrate with redshirt senior offensive lineman Tyler Sulka after a play in a game against USC on Oct. 4, 2014. ASU won against USC 38-34. (Photo by Alexis Mackin)When redshirt junior quarterback Mike Bercovici came into ASU's game against Colorado to replace redshirt senior Taylor Kelly, fans witnessed a complete breakdown on offense.
Bercovici couldn't get the ball moving, and the team wasn't able to score against even Colorado's vulnerable defense — not that it needed to at that point.
Regardless, fans grimaced and braced themselves for an entire game of such struggles in ASU's next game against UCLA.
Bercovici, who had never started, was usually only brought in during garbage time when fans weren't watching closely. But now, with the possibility that their star quarterback was down and out, they were watching and didn't like what they saw.
The career backup flipped the script and despite a blowout loss to UCLA in his first start, Bercovici's numbers were impressive. He followed up with a stellar performance against USC, including the now-famous "Jael-Mary."
ASU has a bye week ahead of its upcoming matchup against Stanford on Oct. 18, and in that time it is expected that Kelly will regain his health and his starting job.
I fully believe Kelly will be the starter against the Cardinal, but a debate over the starting quarterback isn't as far-fetched a notion as you might think.
College football, more than any other major sport, has a win-now attitude. The only time teams, fans and media onlookers even consider the long term is when something historic is happening or when a new coach comes in with his three- or five-year plan.
Outside of that, it's all about what you've done today. Fans and the media both have short-term memories; they care about what's going on now.
And right now, the argument can be made that Bercovici gives the Sun Devils the best chance at victory against Stanford.
Bercovici is the hot hand, having thrown for 998 yards in the last two games. With two weeks to prepare with the first team offense, he could be even sharper come game time.
Kelly, on the other hand, will undoubtedly be rusty coming into the next game. Having not played or practiced since the injury, the redshirt senior will have to shake off nearly a month's worth of rust in order to get back to full form. It's more than likely that he won't be able to do that in his first game.
Assuming Kelly is healthy, it might take a game or even two before he's back at peak condition.
So head coach Todd Graham has a tough choice, he could go with the man with all the experience but with the rust or the guy who's hot but doesn't have the experience.
It's reminiscent of the San Francisco 49ers dilemma in 2012.
They started the season with Alex Smith as their quarterback and were enjoying a successful start to their year (6-2) before Smith was sidelined with a concussion.
Backup Colin Kaepernick stepped in as starter and immediately caught fire. With a talented arm and explosive running ability, Kaepernick seized the job and never relinquished it. He led the team to the Super Bowl, and Smith was eventually traded to Kansas City.
Football and all other sports are a fickle beast. One minute you can be a beloved star, and the next you can be on your way out of town. Just ask Brett Favre, Tom Brady or even Peyton Manning.
This isn't to discredit anything Kelly has done this season or in his career, but Bercovici is on fire and has the team playing well.
As much as Graham is loath to admit and as much as fans will try to write it off, there is merit to the discussion.
The good news for Graham is that this is a debate without a grossly incorrect answer.
Although the running game has stalled lately, it appears that ASU's offense is capable of operating effectively no matter who is under center and in truth the game against Stanford will likely be decided by ASU's execution on defense and special teams.
Whether Kelly or Bercovici takes the field as the Sun Devil starter next weekend, it likely won't matter in terms of offensive success, but don't write off the debate.
Reach the sports editor at icbeck@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @ICBeck21
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