(Photo: HornSports)
Saturday Spotlight
(1) Texas Longhorns at (14) Tennessee Volunteers
Texas (3-0):
I remember prior to the Ohio State game on September 12th, I told Israel Rivera on “College Football Showdown” that the game was far more important for Steve Sarkisian’s group because a win over the then-No. 1 ranked team in the country would do wonders for them and their résumé when the first set of College Football Playoff rankings came out. That was a true test for them, and they passed it with flying colors, along with beating the team that’s been a thorn in their side for the past year. To come back from being down 20 points the way they did builds confidence, and because of that, they are now the No. 1 ranked team in the country. The start they’re off to now is what was expected of them last season, and believe me, they entered last year with all the hype that was expected of them. Two consecutive years of getting to the College Football Playoff and being a game away from a national championship game appearance. On the young season so far, I’ve noticed a much more composed Arch Manning. Through the first three games, he’s thrown seven touchdown passes and two interceptions. I’ve already seen that they can win those high-pressure games, but the biggest strength of this team has been their defense. Most importantly, the Texas Longhorns have won the games and taken care of business against the teams they were supposed to beat, and that’s where the problem was last year. Either they would lose a game they were favored in, or they’d play down to their competition. So far, I’ve seen a team just focused on playing football and not listening to the outside noise. Today, they will be in Knoxville for their first conference showdown.
Tennessee (3-0):
This is another one of those teams that is also forgotten about, and it’s not because nobody is watching them. They just happen to be a member of a stacked SEC. I’ve seen my share of this team since 2022, and the one thing I’ve noticed is that they’ve always found a quality quarterback. In 2022, it was Hendon Hooker, and I thought he was good enough to be considered for the Heisman until he got hurt. Joe Milton in 2023, Nico Iamaleava in 2024, Joey Aguilar last season, and this year, they have another quarterback in Faizon Brandon. He’s a 6’4″ dual-threat quarterback who attacks defenses with both his arm and his mobility, and on the season so far, he’s yet to turn the football over. These last few seasons, I’ve noticed that the Tennessee Volunteers have been a team that has turned games into track meets. I’m talking about the showdowns where they could be lined up anywhere on the field and score at any time. So far this year, I’m noticing they’re slowing games down, and the running attack has been the strength out of the gates. As an offense, the Vols are so efficient as a group and have scored on all seven of their red-zone opportunities, which means they aren’t just moving the football down the field and accumulating yards — they’re finishing drives. Defensively, they’ve been opportunistic, getting to the quarterback and forcing some turnovers. Now, it’s time for conference play, and they will welcome the No. 1 ranked Longhorns from Austin, Texas, to town today for a big-time SEC showdown.
Texas X-Factor: Cam Coleman
This is the most stacked group of wide receivers I’ve seen in college football in quite some time, and Cam is one of the elites. He gives Arch another weapon down the field, and he’s that possession receiver every team can hope and wish to have on its roster. The Auburn transfer has made his presence felt. The Volunteers have played their share of zone coverage, and Cam has the vertical speed that forces the safeties to respect the deep ball. He can help open things up underneath for the other weapons. At 6’3″ and 204 pounds, he’s a legitimate matchup problem physically and provides Arch with a big target who can go up and get the ball, in addition to outrunning defenders.
Tennessee X-Factor: DeSean Bishop
The Vols have been one of the best running teams in the nation so far this year, averaging seven yards per carry, and DeSean is a big part of what this football team’s identity is. First, he can take pressure off Faizon Brandon, who’s a true freshman getting ready to take on one of the best defenses in the country. Being able to run the football will be important so there’s not as much offensive pressure on Brandon. Ball control and time of possession will be key, and DeSean gives the Vols a physical running threat against the stingy defense of the Longhorns. DeSean leads all Tennessee rushers on the season with 286 yards rushing on 43 carries and four touchdowns.
Final Thoughts:
We have quite a few Top 25 matchups on the slate today, and this is one of them! The No. 1 team in the country plays its first road game of the season, and this is the SEC opener for both teams. Texas has had its test against Ohio State, and today will be the toughest opponent Tennessee has seen all season so far. One of the most important matchups in this game is Texas Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp against the young quarterback of Tennessee, Faizon Brandon. I see Will using complex schemes and pre-snap disguises to confuse him. Texas must dominate the line of scrimmage, especially on the interior, to stuff the running game of the Vols and keep that crowd at bay! This will be a live and rocking atmosphere, so they must do all they can to take the crowd out of the game early and allow Arch to settle in sooner rather than later. Tennessee, on the other side, must protect Brandon against this stingy defense, feed Bishop the football to force Texas to respect the run, and win those early downs. They need to avoid long-yardage situations against the Longhorns’ defense. There will be a lot of orange around Knoxville today.
