Texas A&M’s Thursday availability report brought a mixed update for Tennessee as the No. 8 Vols prepare for Saturday’s trip to Kyle Field.
Tennessee, sitting at 7-2, is trying to keep its College Football Playoff push moving in the right direction, while the Aggies, at 4-5, are hoping to spoil the Vols’ season and move a step closer to bowl eligibility. The SEC matchup is set for 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The conference releases updated availability reports on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights ahead of SEC games, with one more report due before kickoff on game day.
For Tennessee, the biggest new name on Thursday’s report is starting left guard Nic Moore, who was added to the OUT category. That is a notable setback for the Vols.
Also listed out is defensive lineman Tyree Weathersby, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Kentucky last week and is expected to remain in that category for the rest of the year.
There was better news on the offensive side for Tennessee. Starting tight end DaSaahn Brame is not on the report this week after leaving last week’s game against Kentucky following a head hit on a catch attempt. Brame is Tennessee’s top pass-catching tight end after Ethan Davis’ early-season injury.
Texas A&M’s report includes four players listed out: WR Terry Bussey, WR Kelshaun Johnson, OL Blake Ivy and OL Trovon Baugh. Baugh was moved from doubtful to out between Wednesday and Thursday.
The Aggies also list WR Mario Craver as questionable. Craver is Texas A&M’s second-leading receiver this season with 311 yards and three touchdowns on 34 receptions.
Texas A&M will host Tennessee at Kyle Field in College Station on Saturday afternoon.
In Other News...
Tennessee Suddenly Has An O-Line Problem Before Texas A&M
Tennessees offensive line took an unexpected hit Thursday night when starting left guard Nic Moore appeared on the SEC Availability Report as out after not being listed the day before. Moore has been a productive presence at left guard, so his sudden absence adds a real layer of uncertainty heading into a matchup with Texas A&M, where protecting the pocket and keeping the run game on schedule will matter plenty.
The Volunteers are now weighing lineup adjustments to cover the vacancy on the interior, and that kind of shuffle can ripple through the whole front five. For a team trying to stay steady in a conference game of this size, losing a reliable starter at the last minute is the sort of problem that can force changes in both communication and chemistry up front. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Just Got Pulled Into Oklahomas Coaching Drama
Oklahomas uneven season has stirred up the kind of coaching chatter that always seems to follow a blueblood when the wins dont come easily. The Sooners are 5-4 through nine games, but Brent Venables still has the backing that came with the six-year extension he signed in August, and the program has already shown a willingness to adjust on the fly by changing play-caller duties during the season. Under Jason Wittens guidance, Oklahoma also picked up a notable win over No. 24 Florida, a reminder that the conversation around the program is more complicated than a simple hot-seat debate.
For Tennessee fans, the interesting part is not the Sooners record so much as the way the coaching rumor mill inevitably reaches into other programs. Josh Heupels name has surfaced as a possible fallback candidate in the broader speculation, even if there is nothing concrete tying him to Oklahoma or suggesting any movement away from Knoxville. It is the kind of cross-country noise that comes with success, and for the Vols it is another sign that Heupels profile keeps rising well beyond the SEC East. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Just Made A Strong New Push For Four-Star DL RJ Wyms
Tennessees 28-point win over Kentucky gave the Volunteers plenty to feel good about on the field, but it also served as a showcase for one of the programs biggest recruiting targets. Four-star defensive lineman RJ Wyms was in the stands for his first Tennessee football game day, getting a firsthand look at a defense that kept Kentucky to just 6 points in the first half and none after halftime.
Wyms came away with positive impressions of the Volunteers defensive performance and the coaching staff, and his connection with Rodney Garner remains a key part of the picture. He is still working through the rest of his recruitment and is considering visits to other schools, so Tennessee has made a strong impression without closing the door on a longer process. [Read more 🡒]