The time has come, Grobe said, to decide who will be available against Presbyterian, which will require some hard and fast decisions by Grobe, offensive coordinator Steed Lobotzke and offensive-line coach Jonathan Himebauch. Redshirt senior Frank Souza looks solid at right guard, redshirt sophomore Dylan Intemann appears to settled at right tackle, and freshman Cory Helms is battling redshirt senior Whit Barnes at center.
Otherwise, if Chase and Ford aren’t ready, the starters will come from a group that has spent the preseason in fierce competition. The candidates are: redshirt junior Neil Basford, a converted tight end; redshirt sophomores Hunter Goodwin and Cody Preble; redshirt freshmen Joel Suggs, Will Smith and Tyler Hayworth; and freshmen Josh T. Harris, Cameron Gardner and Taylor Chambers.