Team Riley

Though Nelson does have experience as a starter with Utah State in 2006, his record was a modest 1-7 with the Aggies

Pros:

-Nelson started seven games with Utah State in 2006 before leaving for a LDS mission in Spain so Riley actually has experience as a starter in NCAA football.
-In that seven game span with the Aggies Nelson:

-Threw for 925 yds
-Rushed for 277 yds (second best on the team that year)
-Became the first QB to win his first career start for the Aggies since 1992

-Nelson also took some snaps behind Max Hall last year for the Cougars going 7 for 10 for 99 yds. He also added one rushing TD and had no INT's.
-Nelson has been in the system longer than Heaps.
-Riley has proven that he can run the ball and with Harvey Unga gone he could be the running threat that will provide balance in BYU's offense.

Riley Nelson being carried off the field after he led Utah State to a 13-12 win over Fresno State in 2006

Cons:

-While it is true that Nelson does have some starting experience he also has a very poor record as a starter, a modest 1-7 record with Utah State in 2006.
-Though he had 7 TD's in 2006 he also threw 6 INT's.
-Nelson has a significantly weaker arm than Heaps and aside from Steve Young, run happy quarterbacks have never flourished at the Y.
-Nelson and Heaps seem to be on the same level (which is why it is taking Bronco so long to make a decision) and if that is the case BYU would be better suited in the long run in giving the spot to the younger Heaps.

Summary:

Those on "Team Riley" could easily point to the fact that Heaps has no college game experience and that BYU has never had a true freshman signal caller start on opening day.  With no Harvey Unga it could be nice to have someone with a little experience under their belt on the offense. Nelson is talented... as a runner. He showed last year that he can come in games and contribute as a running quarterback. BYU typically does not preform well with running quarterbacks, just ask Lance Pendelton.

BYU is known as quarterback U for a reason, they pass the ball. The Cougar system is set up to run short little "dink and dunk" passes and unless they have a quarterback that can execute those passes with percision and keep defenses honest by going deep occasionaly, those short passes will not be open. If Bronco decides to start Nelson, he will certainly need to change a few things with the way the Cougars run their offense. Should he change his offense and base it around a more "run-happy" quarterback in Riley Nelson? Or should he go with tradition and keep BYU a "pass first" team? Tommorow I will put myself in Bronco's seat and make the decision...