Editor’s Note: We have no factual evidence for the following argument. It is a conspiracy theory.

It’s likely not, but just IMAGINE if it were true.

Butch Jones, the Volunteers’ second-year head coach, redshirted his best option at quarterback intentionally to curb expectations and buy a year of Joshua Dobbs’ eligibility.

Dobbs — Jones’ first big signee as the head coach at Tennessee — was scheduled for a redshirt this season after being thrust into action as a true freshman last year.

The four-star prospect from Alpharetta, Ga., possesses excellent athleticism and is arguably the best fit for offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian’s spread scheme. And had he started the season, expectations would have been higher than they were for a Tennessee team that exceeded expectations in Jones’ first season.

Again, there’s no evidence this is true and it likely is not. But just think about it. Jones intentionally kept Dobbs off the field and on pace for a redshirt.

Dobbs is still very raw quarterbacking-wise, but is talented enough to give the Big Orange the best shot to win in Bajakian’s system. Despite the offensive line issues, Dobbs is a great runner and could neutralize some of the Volunteers’ inability to block anyone.

After coming in against Alabama after just two offensive possessions, Dobbs threw for 192 yards and ran for a team-high 75 yards.

Jones surprised Alabama coaches and inserted Dobbs, after senior Justin Worley and Nathan Peterman had been the only quarterbacks to see action this season.

“They basically ran a combination of Auburn and Mississippi State’s offense that we didn’t practice for at all,” Crimson Tide head coach said after the win in Knoxville.

Said Saban: “It was really good planning on their part, and it was poor preparation on our part. But at the same time, you can’t prepare for a ghost that you have no idea is going to happen.”

But what does Jones — who theoretically benched Dobbs for the year knowing he was the Vols’ best chance to win — gain by throwing Dobbs in down 13-0 to Alabama, Tennessee’s eighth game of the year?

Everything.

Perception has shifted on Rocky Top. The “brick-by-brick” honeymoon phase is over and Jones needs to win games. After downing South Carolina last season, the Volunteers don’t have a signature win.

Tennessee needs two more wins to become bowl eligible and Dobbs gives it the best chance to reach the six-win plateau.

We may never know if Jones intentionally withheld Dobbs to temper expectations, why he waited until the eighth game of the year to put the true sophomore in.

But this isn’t a conspiracy: If Jones wants to win games and be on solid footing entering year three in Knoxville, he’ll start Dobbs the rest of the way.