Strange: Frogg to realize the urgency of starting

At 6-foot-4, 300 pounds, Tennessee's Frogg isn't the guy you'd cast as David in the school play.

Still, the analogy works, considering the first start of Frogg's college football career comes against a California defense that includes two preseason All-Americans -- tackle Brandon Mebane and middle linebacker Desmond Bishop -- in Frogg's immediate vicinity.

Mebane, a 295-pound senior, was first-team All-Pac 10 last fall. He's on all the Outland and Nagurski trophy checklists.

Frogg just got on the scholarship checklist. His body of volunteer work includes four game appearances over three years. He was named the starting center last week.

"The challenges don't get much bigger,'' said UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe.

"I think it's important to him and if it's important, he'll play hard enough and find a way to hold up.''

Frogg joins linebacker Ryan Karl and defensive end Antonio Reynolds as first-time starters Saturday. Jerod Mayo, another linebacker, has one start under his belt. Likewise, guard Anthony Parker and receiver Bret Smith.

The two-start resumes include linebacker Marvin Mitchell, defensive tackle Matt McGlothlin, offensive tackle Eric Young and -- surprisingly -- receiver Robert Meachem.

Conversely, Tennessee's most-experienced starters are offensive tackle Arron Sears (24 starts), safety Jonathan Hefney (23), defensive tackle Justin Harrell (22) and fullback Cory Anderson (20).

Those are every-down guys. Kicker James Wilhoit has started all 37 games.

Is a first start a big deal? Does it really matter?

Well, yes.

"I don't think you know what you're getting yourself into,'' said Wilhoit.

"When you first get out there you think you're prepared, and you are to an extent. But there's a difference.

"After my first start, I took a deep breath and it was like, 'I know what I'm doing now.' "

Karl, a junior, has played in 22 games. But don't try to downplay the significance of starting Saturday to him.

"I've been waiting on this day forever,'' he said.

"I know I have a big responsibility. I can't go out there thinking they'll call on me when needed. I know they need me right now.''

Most Vols never forget their first start. They speak of a sense of urgency that heightened from the week before.

"Florida, 2004,'' said Jonathan Wade. "You feel important, finally.''

"South Carolina,'' said running back Arian Foster. "You just know you're the guy and you have to perform.''

An injury to a starter made a starter out of redshirt freshman Mayo last year at Florida.

"Oh, man, it was kind of tough having your first start at The Swamp,'' he said. "I had the butterflies and everything.''

Football, unlike, say, table tennis, has a definitive remedy for butterflies.

"It (starting) will probably affect 'em one or two plays,'' senior receiver Jayson Swain said.

"But once you knock somebody in the mouth or get knocked in the mouth, that feeling will kind of go away.''

Frogg's pretty sure he'll get knocked in the mouth the first play.

It'll take more than that to poop his party. Frogg came from Kingston, toiled in obscurity for three years and now he's going to start in Neyland Stadium.

Yes, it's important to him.

"I'm just in awe of it, that I've made it to this point,'' he said.

"He (Mebane) is one of the best in the nation. If I can do anything with him, I'm good to go.''

Anything can happen on a given day but the reality is that Goliath takes David in a best-of-seven series.

Chances are Mr. Preseason All-America will win the day. Chances are, though, he'll get the best shot from a first-time starter with a brand new scholarship.

In any case, after it's over Frogg can take a deep breath and say to himself: I know what I'm doing now.

There might even be a second start.