Guarantano is the Starter Against WVU (Opinion)

[jackieaprilesr]

"JG will be Tennessee's starting QB against WVU, but I dont expect CJP to make any sort announcement later today. Based on what we've seen and heard, I dont buy the "may play both guys" bit in the opener either."

This is the text of the tweet.

he is right. no need to rotate QB's. this will all come down to our defense. can our DB's play man to man???

 

[photovol]

Per Simonton...See Tweet.

I bet they both play Jesseeeeeeeeeee

 

[MWAVolfan]

Yeah, We should have listened to you when you predicted this when Chryst was being talked about as a possible transfer to UT. LOL Can I get the lotto numbers from you for Wednesday? Don't count out Chryst just yet!

As soon as they went after Chryst I figured it was because they were unsure of JG and wanted an insurance policy. That's the only reason you go get a grad student who has only one year of eligibility. It's not because yoy believe he's the solution to your problems, its because you need a solid fall back plan in case your future star QB turns out to be a dud.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

As soon as they went after Chryst I figured it was because they were unsure of JG and wanted an insurance policy. That's the only reason you go get a grad student who has only one year of eligibility. It's not because yoy believe he's the solution to your problems, its because you need a solid fall back plan in case your future star QB turns out to be a dud.

They badly needed another body at the position with some experience. These coaches are all familiar with Guarantano from recruiting and also had some game film to go on. I think they saw him as a player with potential and the talent to be an SEC player but there really wasn't anyone to compete with him or even step in if he got injured and provide some stability. McBride wasn't going to be that guy and Shrout likely wasn't going to be ready. Chryst won't light the scoreboard up, but he could be a stable presence and productive player at QB. If Guarantano didn't step up or if he got injured, then Chryst is a much better option than the others. Shrout could be an all-star in time, so not taking anything away from him. We're lucky to have a capable backup in Chryst. Hopefully Guarantano takes the next step forward and stays healthy so Chryst isn't needed. Just my thoughts.

 

[gunner]

If we see Chryst at all on Saturday, UT is in big trouble.

JG is the leader of this offense and he has been since the spring game. It his job to lose.

 

[DiderotsGhost]

As soon as they went after Chryst I figured it was because they were unsure of JG and wanted an insurance policy. That's the only reason you go get a grad student who has only one year of eligibility. It's not because yoy believe he's the solution to your problems, its because you need a solid fall back plan in case your future star QB turns out to be a dud.

There's probably some truth to that, but the even bigger reason was lack of depth. After Dormady transferred, there would've been a steep drop-off at 2nd String QB without Chryst. Chryst was a good option because he was familiar with a pro-style offense, could immediately compete for the starting job, and could add depth.

While Shrout has a great arm and shows some promise, he's not ready yet. If we're in a situation where we're starting Shrout this year, it basically means we're sacrificing this season for the future. And McBride is the only QB on the roster who is truly a "Spread QB"; and really a "Spread QB" at a G5 or FCS school. I'm very skeptical of the idea that he can fit in a Pro-Style offense or that he could start in the SEC.

Given that, I think we'd be in a pretty awful situation without Chryst, regardless of whether or not he wins the starting job.

 

[SCVol2018]

Per Simonton...See Tweet.

NO

 

[KBVol]

Chris Low on Swain’s Show this morning-

“I think Guarantano is the starter, he’s had a better camp, has made many more plays downfield....”

 

[Mick]

Will there be designed runs for Guarantano and if so how many designed runs will they have for him against WVU?

If he starts.

 

[jakez4ut]

Will there be designed runs for Guarantano and if so how many designed runs will they have for him against WVU?

dunno. they have practiced some RPO stuff. and i'm sure there's some that call for him to take based on the reads. but i don't know how "featured" it will be. probably more situational based, than anything else.

 

[MWAVolfan]

There's probably some truth to that, but the even bigger reason was lack of depth. After Dormady transferred, there would've been a steep drop-off at 2nd String QB without Chryst. Chryst was a good option because he was familiar with a pro-style offense, could immediately compete for the starting job, and could add depth.

While Shrout has a great arm and shows some promise, he's not ready yet. If we're in a situation where we're starting Shrout this year, it basically means we're sacrificing this season for the future. And McBride is the only QB on the roster who is truly a "Spread QB"; and really a "Spread QB" at a G5 or FCS school. I'm very skeptical of the idea that he can fit in a Pro-Style offense or that he could start in the SEC.

Given that, I think we'd be in a pretty awful situation without Chryst, regardless of whether or not he wins the starting job.

Yes, I agree completely. They had to go get a backup in case #1 turned out to be a dud or was injured because like you said there was no legit plan B. The definition of an insurance policy.

 

[jakez4ut]

There's probably some truth to that, but the even bigger reason was lack of depth. After Dormady transferred, there would've been a steep drop-off at 2nd String QB without Chryst. Chryst was a good option because he was familiar with a pro-style offense, could immediately compete for the starting job, and could add depth.

While Shrout has a great arm and shows some promise, he's not ready yet. If we're in a situation where we're starting Shrout this year, it basically means we're sacrificing this season for the future. And McBride is the only QB on the roster who is truly a "Spread QB"; and really a "Spread QB" at a G5 or FCS school. I'm very skeptical of the idea that he can fit in a Pro-Style offense or that he could start in the SEC.

Given that, I think we'd be in a pretty awful situation without Chryst, regardless of whether or not he wins the starting job.

 

[sameolvol]

All I am saying is that his flaws were exposed and have to be corrected regardless of the system.

As for having a favorite, I've watched several of KC's games from last year. UT's ceiling with him at QB is lower than with a mature and mentally capable JG at QB. JG is significantly more talented physically. I want the guy who earns it to get it... but because it is better for the team I hope that guy is JG.

I agree. thanks for clearing that up.

 

[johnrlansford]

I don't have solid proof and can't really get it. Just using some intuition coupled with some reactions. Most seem to think that JG was promised PT vs GT. It was pretty much stated he was promised PT vs UMass.

But the biggest thing is that the "competition" abruptly ended when Jones named JG the starter. No more talk of split reps. No more promises to the back up for PT. Part of that could have been QD's injury... but I tend to think Jones ending the QB competition after handing it to JG was a factor in QD's decision to go ahead with surgery before the season was over.

Just consider these two facts. As long as QD was the starter... Jones kept the competition going. As soon as JG was named the starter... Jones ended the competition.

JG had to have been promised playing time or else he wouldn't have been so upset during the second half after Dormady had been not great in the 1st half.

The Competition ended when Dormady was Mentally out of it, Dormady couldn't handle the pressure or the bright lights who knows but it didn't end until he proved he couldn't lead the team, then it was shoot for the future! I think you are trying to read into it a little too much. Dormady wasn't a fit for what Butch wanted to do, But he was the more polished QB at the beginning of the season. If he hadn't lost his mental edge and got hurt who knows, but I am not sure the results would have been any different in the end!

 

[ShoalCreekVol]

I'm with Simonton up until he says both guys won't play in week 1. No way that could be determined yet. I am with others, assuming JG is the guy. But Chryst needs to see the field some, unless JG goes all Peyton Manning out there.

(Wait, I just reminded myself, I also insisted that Brannnnndonnnnnn Stewart needed to see the field some, unless Peyton Manning went all Heath Shuler out there...ok nevermind)

 

[GVF]

Why are you not sold? First off, evaluating his results from last year is akin to evaluating the latest version of air freshener by sitting it next to a wastewater treatment facility. The offense in general was very poorly coached and the play-calling was chaotic at best. He was very highly thought of coming out of high school.

They may well have gotten Chryst because of a lack of faith in Will McBride as a backup.

All good thoughts. Maybe having Chryst will allow them to give McBride his RS back, while offering them to have an experienced QB to help the younger ones and/or be good enough to take over at a moments notice having said experience.

 

[GVF]

There's also nothing wrong with being a game manager. KC, in one scenario, could have been told he would mentor a younger QB with a real chance of competing for a starting job. UT's situation may have been the best choice for him to try and accomplish that.

 

[GVF]

For all the positive press they're getting, WVU closed badly last year, so they're a little hard to figure out. I think it's nuts to think that we'll get blown off the field. We've got too many athletes for that. If we run the ball just a little, I think it can be a good game.

I'm not sold on coach Dana H... as a consistent coach. For all the talent they seem to acquire somehow to that school, they should be more successful in that conference, and nationally. They've definitely not met the expectations they probably had when he came in. They were darn good under Rich Rod, which is where he should have stayed. He hasn't had the success since. A majority of the time, the grass is greener under your feet.

 

[GVF]

JG had to have been promised playing time or else he wouldn't have been so upset during the second half after Dormady had been not great in the 1st half.

The Competition ended when Dormady was Mentally out of it, Dormady couldn't handle the pressure or the bright lights who knows but it didn't end until he proved he couldn't lead the team, then it was shoot for the future! I think you are trying to read into it a little too much. Dormady wasn't a fit for what Butch wanted to do, But he was the more polished QB at the beginning of the season. If he hadn't lost his mental edge and got hurt who knows, but I am not sure the results would have been any different in the end!

QD was the wrong style QB for that attempt at an offense. I always thought of him as a pro-style. He was out of place and should have never stayed here that long under Butch's system.

 

[KBVol]

Anybody in here seen Greazy lately? Getting a little worried about the old boy.....had to have hated seeing JG start and play so well on Saturday, assuming he’s still cooling off and whatnot. That couldn’t have been easy for him.

 

[butchna]

Anybody in here seen Greazy lately? Getting a little worried about the old boy.....had to have hated seeing JG start and play so well on Saturday, assuming he’s still cooling off and whatnot. That couldn’t have been easy for him.

Remember when we needed Chryst to start because we “need a game manager”? CuzinGreazey went another way.

With that game Plan Tennessee may win 4 games..JG played safe he didnt take no risk Saturday..Look at the football landscape..Look at other team QB'S and compare them to JG..JG played like a game manager in my opinion..Im sorry but with that type of arm he have to take more risk down the field..

 

[greazy1722]

I aint go nowhere..I never said he had a bad game, but he has to open it up more..I felt like he just did enough..I need to see a 300 yard game and multiple TDs..This weekend he should throw for 400 hundred yards...If Tennessee going to be great again then JG has to do more..that's a fact..Look at Miami all that talent on offense with no QB..

 

[butchna]

So...game manager?

 

[BeardedVol]

I aint go nowhere..I never said he had a bad game, but he has to open it up more..I felt like he just did enough..I need to see a 300 yard game and multiple TDs..This weekend he should throw for 400 hundred yards...If Tennessee going to be great again then JG has to do more..that's a fact..Look at Miami all that talent on offense with no QB..

We just lost our center, on an already not-very-good offensive line; I doubt the offense looks good against anyone this year, even the cupcakes that are near-automatic wins for us.

 

[norrislakevol]

nothing I saw on Saturday changed my mind about JG.....he sucks

You serious Clark?