Allowing Guarantano to be Successful
Jarrett Guarantano will be going up against a good, but not great defense in his first career start.
But he will face off with one of the best linebackers in the country. Skai Moore missed all of last season with a neck injury, but he has returned with a vengeance in 2017. Moore is second on the team in tackles and tackles for loss. He was second team All-SEC in 2015 before his injury last season.
And he’s excellent in pass coverage as well.
Skai Moore is a dangerous player. #Vols have to be content with just throwing the ball away tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/tGWzkyD3Ez
— Will Boling (@will_boling) October 13, 2017
Moore does a good job shadowing the quarterback, reading his eyes for the duration of the play. And when Austin Allen tries to force a pass along the sidelines on third down, Moore makes him pay. This is where Guarantano can’t get greedy. UT can live with a punt. But their young offense can’t live with a pick-six.
One way to minimize the dangers of throwing the ball downfield into coverage on third down is by feeding John Kelly in the passing game.
But South Carolina is good at stopping those kinds of plays as well.
UT’s offense is predicated on short throws to RBs. Yeah…South Carolina blew that up last week…#RTIFilmStudy pic.twitter.com/DjvUS2yCku
— Will Boling (@will_boling) October 13, 2017
The running back blocks, and then cuts through the middle of the line for an out route here. The tight end does the same.
But Arkansas’ offensive line can’t hold off the pressure long enough for the play to develop. That will be UT’s biggest challenge as well.
I expect the Vols to use this look a lot against the Gamecocks, especially in the first half. A play like that can either go for 30 yards or lose yards. If UT does rely on this look, Guarantano is going to take some hits. The best way to set him up for success is rolling him out of the pocket on this throw with multiple options downfield.
UT needs more of this.
Great play design here. The defense gets distracted by Kelly, and Dormady finds Callaway for an easy catch. #RTIFilmStudy pic.twitter.com/8aj3oOlIcc
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) September 18, 2017
This is how you set Guarantano up for success — give him multiple intermediate options. Especially if one of those options is Marquez Callaway.
This defensive look is unique because of third and long. The defense isn’t going to be this backed up the whole game. But the scheme is still easier for Guarantano. Roll him out of the pocket and always have a safety valve if the primary option isn’t open.
