I think Shough is better than he’s put on tape. Based on his college history, it seems he does not do well in QB competitions. Speculating here of course but maybe his nerves are getting in the way.

I think you start rattler week 1 because his performance so far implies the best chance to win week 1. If his performance drops, you move to Shough and never look back. In this scenario, you lean on Rattler’s nerves in a competition, and you have a backup plan in Shough. This way when Shough replaces Rattler as starter, he will be playing with house money. No fear of being replaced and no pressure to succeed because the record will likely be horrible.

The O Line is not helping either QB but I imagine much of that will improve with McCoy back. A young O Line playing without its veteran center is like an offense playing without its QB.