Five Reasons The Vols Could Win The SEC East
By Zach Ragan
Nov 29, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Josh Dobbs (11) drops back to pass during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
2. Established Quarterback
For the first time during the Butch Jones era, the Vols will not have a quarterback battle on their hands this spring.
There’s no doubt that Joshua Dobbs, a rising junior, will be the guy in 2015.
And that’s great news for the Volunteers.
Dobbs took over as the Vols’ quarterback in late October last season and immediately changed the look of Tennessee’s offense.
The Georgia native isn’t the fastest quarterback in the conference, but his elusive running ability added another dimension to the Vols’ offense that was desperately missed with Justin Worley under center.
Dobbs was able to open up the offense, due to the fact that teams had to respect his ability to keep the ball, thus taking some pressure off the beleaguered offensive line.
Potential “Josh Dobbs for Heisman” talk has already started and there’s no reason to think he shouldn’t at least be in that conversation.
Dobbs threw for 1,206 yards and nine touchdowns, while rushing for 469 yards and eight touchdowns in just six games last season. Those numbers extrapolate to 2,412 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, 938 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns over a 12 game season.
Those aren’t Marcus Marioata numbers by any means, but it does show that Dobbs is capable of putting some up some really nice stats.
It also shows that quarterback, a weakness for the Vols the past two seasons, will be a strength in 2015.