[M]y guess is UT will need Dobbs before the season is over. So forget the redshirt and play him against Chattanooga. Get him ready for the possible emergencies to come.
Thats not questioning Worleys durability or his play. He has been good enough and tough enough to survive and sometimes flourish while playing behind the worst offensive line in the SEC.
But look what happened against Georgia. When an elbow injury sidelined Worley for parts of the third and fourth quarters, Peterman completed four of nine passes for 20 yards and was sacked once for a 14-yard loss.
UT likely would have won the game if Worley hadnt been injured. And they might have won it with Dobbs in relief.
He gives the offense something neither Peterman nor Worley does. He gives it a running threat.
If nothing else, a running quarterback would force defensive players to think differently. Right now, theyre only thinking about their next sack.
Look whats ahead after Chattanooga: nationally ranked Ole Miss and Alabama. Although the schedule will lighten up in November, more proven pass rushers will lie in wait. Missouri has the best pass-rush tandem in the country in Shane Ray and Markus Golden. Kentucky has All-SEC defensive end Bud Dupree. Even Vanderbilt has a pass-rush threat in Caleb Azubike. And as lacking as South Carolinas pass rush has been, it might suddenly develop one against UT.
The opponents wont have to knock Worley out of a game to win it. They might just have to knock him out for a quarter or a couple of series.
Even if Worley remains healthy, a running quarterback like Dobbs could provide an effective change-up, especially inside an opponents 20-yard line, where Tennessee was forced to settle for three field goals in a 10-9 loss to Florida.
But this is no time to look back. Its time to look ahead.
And realize the Vols might need Dobbs to qualify for a bowl.
