FREE THOUGHT FRIDAY

MAYBE I’VE BEEN A LITTLE TOO “JOSH BY GOSH” Listening to the Tuesday edition of the Tony Basilio Show it dawned on me that I may have unintentionally inhibited some healthy discussion concerning the possibility of someone other than Josh Dobbs taking meaningful snaps as our Quarterback. As Jay -who often breaches the subject- questioned if Dobbs’ was a protected species whose shortcomings -rather than OC Mike Debord’s- could be holding back our passing game and another astute caller mentioned that Dobb’s might not be Lane Kiffin’s QB if he were directing things I wanted to be a part of the debate. I then wondered if it occurred on Tuesday rather than Monday or Friday because I wasn’t there. If my passionate support of Dobbs has indeed discouraged discussion of who can best direct Tennessee’s offense than that is a trait common for hosts I refuse to listen to and something that I would be uncomfortable knowing.

I believe with all my heart that Josh Dobbs -if truly healthy- is the best man to guide our offense on campus at the present time. But though I disagree with those that think otherwise I understand their points of contention and it wasn’t long ago I was in their shoes. I thought Tyler Bray was a better option for Derek Dooley’s attack than Matt Sims and when he got an opportunity I was proven correct. I thought Nate Peterman should play at Florida in 2013 …well let’s forget that one. I felt that Butch Jones’ offense would be much more efficient with Dobbs at QB than Justin Worley and have no doubt that has been the case. So who am I to show contempt for those who feel that Quentin Dormady or Jarrett Guarantano might provide a spark or even claim the job? Fair or not it is my opinion that Dormady -in Jones’ offense- would be Worley Part II and Guarantano isn’t ready to assume the responsibility in such a critical season. If you think otherwise however I respect your opinion. And if I’ve dissuaded you from saying so on Mondays or Fridays please accept my apology.

WHAT VOL FANS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT VA TECH

OFFENSE

-JUCO transfer QB Jerod Evans is the first QB in VT history to account for four TDs in their debut

-Soph RB Travon McMillan rushed for 1043 yards in 2015 as a Freshman

-WR Isaiah Ford has four straight 100 yard games catching 37 passes for 620 yds (16.8 ypc). He set school records in 2015 for receptions (75), yards (1164) and TDs (11)

-WR Cam Phillips is a huge threat as well coming off a season with 49 catches for 582 yds (11.9 ypc)

-6'7" TE Bucky Hodges has 88 career receptions and 1098 receiving yards which are both second all- time for 15 TDs which is a school record.

-Tech returns one of their most experienced O-lines in years with 85 returning starts; RT-Jonathan McLaughlin (31), RG-Augie Conte (23), LG-Wyatt Teller (18), C-Eric Gallo (13)

DEFENSE

-NT Woody Baron had 3 sacks and 8 TFL last season while starting only six games.

-Sr DE Ken Ekanem is the Hokies leader on the D-Line registering 4.5 sacks and 5 TFL

-MLB Andrew Motuapuaka had 73 tackles, 4 sacks and 7.5 tfl

-Brothers Tremaine (OLB) and Terrell (Rover) Edwards both started on defense for the Hokies versus Liberty

-2015 Two-way player Greg Stroman moved to defense (CB) full-time and had two INTs versus Liberty

-Tech returns all four starters in the secondary CBs Stroman and Brandon Facyson, Rover Edmunds and FS Chuck Clark

SPECIAL TEAMS

-PK Joey Slye was 23-30 on FGs last season and is 28-31 from 40 yds and in on his career.

-P Michael Ludwig punted 70 times for 42.9 ypp

-Greg Stroman averaged 7.1 yds per punt return in 15 with 1 TD

ODDS & ENDS

-Tech is 18-3 dating back to 1996 when grabbing two or more interceptions (9 straight wins)

-Va-T is 31-2 since 96 when holding opponents to 21 pts or less

WHAT VOLS MUST DO vs VA TECH:

WAGE TRENCHES WARFARE: The Vols vaunted fronts were shredded by Scrappy State last Thursday and must play much closer to the high expectations both carried into the season. The matchup should be more to both units liking with a more conventional approach. I believe what we saw in Game 1 from both sides of the line were anomalies. If I’m wrong -on either account- this will be a looooong season.

TURN THE PAGE…: In more ways than one. The Vols must adhere to Jones’ “snap and clear” mantra taking lessons learned forward while not dwelling on past miscues. This is relevant to our offensive brain trust as well; as in make it beyond Page 2 of the playbook

PRACTICE MORE THAN EYE DISCIPLINE: We have become accustomed to Butch’s boys playing disciplined football; until last Thursday. The Vols were very fortunate to overcome 6 penalties for 55 yards, a fumbled punt -along with three other balls on the ground that we recovered- and an interception. This doesn’t include over pursuit of the football leaving us vulnerable defensively and whatever gaffes had Dobbs running for his life most of the evening. Sloppy play like that will get you beat at least once in September and every game the following month.

DON’T LIMIT STRETCHING TO WARMUPS: “Throw the flippin ball down the field occasionally already”.

WHAT WE WILL LEARN IN WEEK 2

LEAST BEAST OF THE EAST? This week’s renewal of the Pitt-Penn State series is a reminder of how things have gone terribly wrong in CFB. A series that was played virtually every season from 1893 through 2000 has laid dormant for 15 years all in the name of progress. Progress my ass; this series was discontinued due to greed. The truth is Penn State has about as much business in the Big-10 as Pitt does in the ACC. This great old eastern football rivalry should not have fallen victim to stupidity.

ARE HOGS A BETTER DOG? Last season in this very spot #18 ranked Arkansas slept walked through an embarrassing 16-12 loss to 21-point underdog Toledo. One year later they are unranked, coming off an uninspired 21-20 escape against Louisiana Tech and headed to Fort Worth to face 15th ranked TCU. Maybe Hogs are better dogs.

MONSTERS OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE: Derek Mason once again showed he is an outstanding defensive coordinator in a 13-10 loss to the MuschCocks on Saturday. He also proved that no one in the SEC can replace him on the SEC Head Coach’s hot seat. He has an opportunity to show his Dores are the Vols biggest challenge for the State Championship when MTSU’s Blue Raiders drive down the street to take on his third Vandy squad. Lose this game and he won’t have a 4th.

WHAT’S THAT NOISE IN THE CELLAR? Mississippi State coming off one of the biggest upsets in CFB history against upstart South Alabama gets an opportunity at partial retribution when red hot South Carolina comes to Starkville. Regardless of the outcome -though South Carolina could garner it’s second SEC win- these two teams figure to be a lot closer to the cellar than the attic of their respective divisions at season’s end.

WHAT A BAD WEEK OF FOOTBALL LOOKS LIKE: The bill has come due for a terrific first week of CFB. Of the 47 games that Vegas has lines set for this weekend only 10 have spreads of a TD or less. Dreadful!

BLOGGER'S APOLOGY (Dang I'm regretful today) Due to two straight Old Man Softball weekend tournaments staring me in the face I will be posting only one blog next week which I should have up on Wednesday evening. Sorry to zig when I should be zagging. When Jurassic softball starts interfering with football fandom it's beyond time to hang em up. Sorry to leave you hanging.

FINAL FRIDAY THOUGHT: Please let us be thinking the Appy State performance was an anomaly rather than a harbinger of things to come after the Battle of Bristol concludes.

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