In a very broad sense of the phrase, it’s football time in Tennessee.

Whistles sound from the depths of Neyland Stadium and there is a soft whisper in the air that seems to be announcing the upcoming Orange and White spring football scrimmage.

Each year the Orange and White game has been a fun, springtime event. It’s something to take the kids to, spend a day out in the beautiful, sunny weather and just utilize a Saturday afternoon with your friends.

This year the game means so much more than just a scrimmage between athletes from the same team. It’s a chance for new players to prove themselves, and a chance for Volunteer fans to see where the program might head next season.

This year, the bar is raised.

First year head coach Butch Jones seems to have come on staff with his eye on returning the program to the “glory days” and curiosity burns in the heart of each and every fan, student and reporter.

This is the time. Jones needs to put a product on the field that will excite fans and sell this fall’s season passes.

So here are some thoughts for Saturday, Butch. I know you’ve been pushing the team to think bigger and be better, but I think you’ll agree that my ideas will work as the icing on the cake.

1. Call in a favor and tell Peyton Manning to suit up. Manning could don Justin Worley’s green jersey and toss some Hail Mary’s to whichever receiver is left after the mass exodus into the NFL draft last year. Heck, maybe you could just have Josh Dobbs skip out on the last few weeks of high school and join the team a little early.

2. If Manning or Dobbs isn’t enough, call up Eric Berry. You can’t lose with Berry. He can play for the Orange and the White and just never leave the field. It’s been too long since Vol fans were able to chant “Eric Berry” and crane their necks to see his latest SportsCenter Top 10 play.

3. As a last resort, call up Bruce Pearl. We all know he’s been itching to paint up and join the student section for some Jack Daniels and a day of cheerleading. Cuonzo Martin already made it clear that he wasn’t interested in the job. If Pearl isn’t available, Warlick would probably work, she has an athletic background and I think she could probably do toe-touches.

4. Fireworks are always good, but let’s think big. Maybe a waterfall Boomsday-style off the jumbotron? It’s just a thought.

Call me if you need any help, or just drop by the Beacon, Room 11 of the Communications building. I’m always here.

In all honesty, I’m getting ready to graduate and I’m just counting on something special to go down during my last UT football “game” as a student. Please don’t disappoint.

— Lauren Kittrell is a senior in journalism and electronic media. She can be reached at [email protected].