Maybe I am a little old school, but if this QB battle is neck and neck, then I think you go with the upper classman. And that isn't even a difficult decision. I'll be honest, Part of me still gets frustrated that freshman and sophomores have gotten overly ambitious and elect to transfer if the real world gets in the way. Look at Cameron Rising, he should be a junior, but is classified as a sophomore due to Covid's extra year of eligibility. He bolted to Utah as a redshirt freshman thinking he will be "the man". Change of plans, Charlie Brewer transfers to Utah and I am assuming Brewer will get the start. Back to Texas, Casey Thompson. has two more years of eligibility and Card has four. Casey has stuck it out and kept working. I believe (I am assuming the neck and neck reporting is accurate) I would name Casey the starter and talk with Card. Tell him he wasn't a clear winner and keep improving because every year there will be another hot shot freshman QB signee (Manning perhaps, but there is always somebody), that has the mindset of getting the start as a freshman or sophomore. If Casey gets hurt or can't make plays then it is "next man up". "Card, we are putting you in". Two years of starting QB at a blue blood school is not only a damn good feat, but it can be a career investment. If the NFL didn't work out, would your résumé look better as a starting QB at Texas or Arizona State? As far as Casey goes, if he loses the job, I totally understand the his option is to transfer. The window is closing and he has a chance to be a more productive QB for somebody else.