Vols Football: 5 Things To Watch For In 2014

Oct 19, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Justin Worley (14) hands the ball off to running back Marlin Lane (15) during the second quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Efficiency

How Justin Worley performs in 2014 will have a lot to do with how the offensive line performs, but Worley’s success won’t be entirely dependent on the offensive line.

It’s important that Worley is not only a game-manager in 2014, but also a game-changer.

If the Vols plan to make a bowl game, they will need more “splash plays” (as Butch Jones eloquently calls them). Those plays will begin with Worley. He has the tools to make a marked improvement in 2014.

Any quarterback would love to have a receiving group consisting of Marquez North, Von Pearson and Josh Malone. But if those guys don’t have a quarterback that can get them the ball, they won’t do the Vols much good this season. That’s where a consistent Justin Worley comes into play.

Worley will have to do a lot more than “not turning the ball over” in 2014. He’s clearly a more confident leader on an off the field. But can he elevate the play of those around him?

That will be the biggest question that Worley has to answer this season.

If he can’t, then you might see Nathan Peterman or Josh Dobbs get a shot at running the offense.