The Tennessee Volunteers head into their third game of the season with Josh Heupel’s team preparing for Kennesaw State in what will be its second home game of the year and its second straight matchup with a Georgia program after beating Georgia Tech last Saturday.
Tennessee is expected to handle business, but that hasn’t stopped the staff from circling a few bold calls for the game. The most aggressive take centers on the Vols’ defense and how it deals with Kennesaw State’s experienced quarterback.
“For those who don't know, Kennesaw State has an experienced quarterback and will be someone they try to rely on. However, I believe that this Tennessee defense won't allow him to find much success, and I believe that they will turn to the rushing attack against the Vols. I believe the Vols will hold the entire team under 150 passing yards all game,” Sisk said.
There’s also a big expectation for Faizon Brandon, who has already become a key talking point early in the season. One prediction has him putting together a huge all-around performance and picking up another league honor.
“Faizon Brandon accounts for 4 total touchdowns and is named SEC Freshman of the Week for the third straight week,” Greer predicted.
Another staff member expects the offense to stretch the field while the game unfolds.
“I expect a few deep shots during the course of this contest,” Dowden said.
The confidence in Brandon doesn’t stop there. One prediction sees the quarterback having his biggest outing yet, with Tennessee continuing to build his comfort level before Texas arrives.
“I am going for a massive game from Faizon Brandon to lead the Vols. Brandon enters the game with 374 passing yards, and against this competition, there is a chance he could double that with the dynamic receivers he has at his disposal. This game should get out of hand quickly, but with Texas coming up, they need to continue to let Brandon get comfortable,” Passons said.
The running game got its own bold call too, and it’s a strong one. Tennessee has been rolling on the ground, and one prediction has that trend continuing in a big way against a Kennesaw State defense that already gave up plenty of rushing production.
“My bold prediction is that the Volunteers will combine for over 300 yards rushing as a team and score at least 4 touchdowns on the ground. Tennessee’s rushing attack has looked phenomenal so far this season, averaging 314 yards a game through the first two weeks, and now faces off against a Kennesaw State team that allowed Georgia State to rush for 230 yards in week two,” Elrod said.
In Other News...
Tennessee's Loaded Offense Could Have One More Freshman Problem Soon
Tennessees offense already has the look of a unit built to stay dangerous for a while, but ESPN thinks the Vols may not be done adding playmakers to the picture. The latest name to watch is five-star running back recruit David Gabriel-Georges, who checks in at No. 13 overall in the SC Next ESPN 300 and arrives with the kind of power, balance and explosiveness that can make a freshman hard to keep off the field.
For Tennessee, the appeal goes beyond simply landing another elite recruit. Gabriel-Georges has the traits to contribute early and eventually grow into a featured role, which matters for an offense that could be looking ahead to a post-2026 backfield if DeSean Bishop moves on to the NFL. Even in a loaded room, the Vols have a chance to turn a highly rated newcomer into the next major piece of the attack. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee-Texas Just Added More Intrigue For Frustrated Vols Fans
Kenny Chesney helped put Tennessees Sept. 26 matchup with Texas back in the spotlight during an appearance on ESPNs First Take, where the Knoxville native was on hand to promote his new tour and ended up talking football instead. The Volunteers are set to host the Longhorns at Neyland Stadium in the annual Checker Neyland game, with ABC carrying the broadcast and a Noon ET kickoff currently on the books.
For fans already frustrated by the timing, the attention only added another layer to a game that already carries plenty of weight on the schedule. Stephen A. Smith raised the possibility the kickoff could still be changed, leaving Tennessee supporters with one more wrinkle to monitor as the date draws closer and the buildup to one of the seasons biggest home games keeps growing. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Fans Have One Reason To Expect A Stress-Free Saturday
Knox News took a different route in previewing Tennessees upcoming game against Kennesaw State, running 100 simulations of the matchup on EA Sports College Football 27. The results pointed to what Vols fans probably hope to see on a fall Saturday: Tennessee controlling the game early and often, with the model projecting an average score around 51-17 and plenty of room for the offense to settle in.
The simulations leaned heavily toward a comfortable finish for Tennessee, which fits the broader sense that this is a game the Vols should handle without much drama. There were statistical trends worth watching in the breakdown, along with reporter notes on how the matchup could play out, but the larger takeaway was hard to miss: if the real game follows the video-game script, Tennessee should spend most of the afternoon in command. [Read more 🡒]