Tennessee’s opener against Furman has plenty of people around the program looking for fireworks, and the staff’s bold predictions all point in the same direction: the Vols are expected to put on a show on both sides of the ball.
One of the sharper defensive calls centers on Furman quarterback Jake Garcia. The expectation is that Garcia, coming off his first game with the Paladins, is still working through some rust.
One prediction has him getting into trouble early and throwing an interception that wakes up Neyland Stadium, then adding another one later in the game. The same prediction says two interceptions should be the minimum, a nod to the new defensive back coaches and the work their staff has put in.
On the offensive side, there’s confidence that Tennessee can pile up yards if it executes cleanly. One prediction says the Vols should be able to reach 400 yards combined through the air and on the ground in the right scenario. Another goes even further, expecting Tennessee to lean on the passing game more than it might have in the past because of the SEC’s move to a nine-game slate and the shorter runway for a new quarterback like Faizon to get comfortable before tougher tests arrive.
That leads to one of the biggest calls of the bunch: Faizon Brandon could throw for more than 300 yards against Furman. The logic behind that prediction is simple enough - Tennessee has a loaded receiving corps, a strong running back room, a solid offensive line, and Josh Heupel’s tempo-driven system should help a talented true freshman get into a rhythm with quick, high-percentage throws. Another prediction says Brandon can handle the offense well because of Heupel’s praise of his command, pocket awareness, decision-making during the summer, and his care with the football while letting playmakers work downfield.
There’s also a strong belief that Tennessee’s offense can put up a number that turns heads. One prediction says the Vols will break the modern-era single-game scoring record they set last season in a 72-17 win over East Tennessee State. That same prediction points to an experienced backfield, a loud Neyland Stadium, and plenty of weapons for Brandon in his first start, while also saying the performance would give Tennessee momentum before next week’s trip to Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
Another staff member expects Tennessee’s usual blowout formula against lesser opponents to show up again, but with a specific reason tied to the quarterback situation. Since Brandon is a true freshman, the thinking is the Vols want him to settle in and get as comfortable as possible before Week 2 against a Power 4 opponent. That could mean the starters stay on the field a little longer than usual to give him more reps against Furman.
Not every prediction is about gaudy offense. One writer looked at the current spread via ESPN, which has Tennessee at -48.5, and argued that while the Vols should win easily, the number is too steep.
The reasoning: the over/under is only 66.5, so if Furman scores more than 18 points, the clock and time of possession could make it tough for Tennessee to cover unless the scoring comes in a burst of explosive plays. That prediction still sees Tennessee winning by 30 or 35 points, but not getting all the way to -48.5.
It also notes that if the Vols are up by 28 points or more at halftime, the second and third stringers could eat up a lot of the remaining snaps.
And then there’s the special teams wrinkle. One bold prediction says Tennessee will have a major moment there, with Coach Crabtree’s unit blocking a punt and scoring.
All of it adds up to a clear expectation: Tennessee should have plenty of chances to flex against Furman, whether that means Brandon settling in quickly, the defense forcing mistakes, or special teams getting in on the action.
In Other News...
Former Tennessee Transfers Are Turning Up In Some Awkward Places
When Tennessee turned over so much of its roster through the portal, the next step was always going to be seeing where all those former Volunteers landed. A sizable chunk stayed in the Power Four, and a notable number remained in the SEC, which is part of what makes the offseason so oddly familiar around Knoxville. The programs departures are scattered across the country now, and for Tennessee fans, the connections do not disappear just because the jerseys changed.
Peyton Lewis added another layer to that familiar feeling by showing up in a Week Zero game for Virginia, a reminder that the portal rarely keeps old ties at a distance for long. For Tennessee, the broader picture is bigger than any single move, with former players popping up in places that can feel a little awkward when the new season starts and old opponents suddenly include faces that once wore orange. [Read more 🡒]
Rick Barnes Has A Huge Recruiting Opportunity This Weekend
Tennessee is turning a football weekend into a full-court recruiting showcase, with the mens basketball staff set to host several elite prospects on official visits while the Vols have the campus spotlight. Among the visitors are five-star point guard Cayden Daughtry and four-star point guard Micah Gordon from the 2027 class, along with five-star forward Bentley Lusakueno from the 2028 class, giving Rick Barnes and his staff a chance to put the program in front of some of the nations most intriguing young talents.
The timing matters because these trips line up with football game weekends, when Knoxville is at its liveliest and the athletic department can lean into the atmosphere. Tennessee is not the only program trying to make an impression, but the Vols will also have the Lady Vols welcoming five-star point guard Cece Dennis, adding another notable recruiting stop to what could be a busy and important stretch for the school across both programs. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Is Already Chasing A Massive Lineman For Its Future
Tennessee is already looking well down the road in its offensive line recruiting, and the latest name on the board is Rex George-Taylor, a 2028 prospect from Darlington, Ga. The Volunteers extended a scholarship offer to the towering junior, who checks in at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, adding him to a growing early list that also includes offers from Cincinnati, Mississippi State and Connecticut.
George-Taylors reaction to the Tennessee offer was part of the story, but the bigger takeaway for Vols fans is how aggressively the staff is approaching future line prospects this far out. Recruiting for players still years away from signing day is all about getting in early and staying present, and Tennessee appears to have done just that, with more developments expected as his recruitment continues to build. [Read more 🡒]