Tennessee’s offensive line is heading into its biggest test of the season with plenty of noise surrounding the unit, but Cole Cubelic isn’t buying the doom-and-gloom take.
The Vols are set to host No. 1 Texas on Saturday in a top-15 matchup that will put every part of the roster under the microscope, and the offensive line may be the most watched group of all. Tennessee has shown stretches where it looks dominant up front, but the miscues have been there too, showing up in the form of tackles for loss and pressure on the quarterback.
That uneven play has fueled frustration from fans, especially with the Longhorns bringing a pass rush that includes Colin Simmons. But Cubelic, the former Auburn lineman who now works as an ESPN analyst, pushed back on the idea that Tennessee’s front has been a liability.
Speaking on the RTI Low-Down this past Sunday, Cubelic acknowledged the issues but argued the Vols have been more steady than people realize.
“I understand the frustration with certain aspects of the offensive line,” Cubelic said. “They’ve got to get right guard figured out.
There are a couple of breakdowns in protection still. But I was talking to a Tennessee staffer before the game and I said, ‘You realize you guys have probably the most consistent offensive line in the league so far?’
He was really surprised. He was like, ‘What?’
“And I was like, listen man, Georgia’s group did not look good last week. Alabama’s group has been up and down.
They’ve had some good points, they’ve had some bad points. Florida’s group is kind of coming along but they haven’t been great by any stretch of the imagination.
The A&M group has not looked good. Kentucky looked great in the first half against Bama, terrible in the second half against Bama.
“They’ve all kind of been this rollercoaster this year. Even though Tennessee has had some deficiencies, it’s been about as consistent as anybody else in the league. When you can lean on that, when you can lean on Xavier Gilliam and some of the play they’re getting up front on defense, it’s going to open a lot of other things up.
“So, I think they’re ahead of schedule. I think they’re a good football team with a high ceiling to be a very good football team.”
There’s still work to do, and the biggest issue remains right guard. Sham Umarov has gotten the starts there, but his play has been suboptimal too often.
Donovan Haslam, a West Virginia transfer, has been the main alternative. Jesse Perry can also line up at right guard, though he appears to have settled into a role at right tackle over LSU transfer Ory Williams.
The best story up front has been left tackle David Sanders Jr., who has already played at an elite level and is starting to draw attention as a 2027 NFL Draft prospect. On the other side of him, left guard Wendell Moe Jr. has been solid, with expectations that he can climb back to an elite standard.
At center, Sam Pendleton has filled in well in both of his appearances after sitting out Week 1. His role is about more than just blocking, too, because his command of the offense alongside freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon matters just as much.
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Rick Barnes, Bianca Belair, Candace Parker and Kenny Chesney are among the names being floated, which gives the Vols plenty to debate before the cameras ever arrive. The decision will matter less for the picks than for the vibe, since GameDay guest spots tend to become part of the weekends identity, especially when a major SEC matchup brings the kind of attention Knoxville is about to get. [Read more 🡒]
Former Vol Kaleb Beasley Is Creating An Uncomfortable Tennessee Question
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For Tennessee, the uncomfortable part is simple: Beasley is suddenly looking like the kind of defensive back the Vols could have used. He led Louisville in tackles and picked off two passes in that game, then added the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors to the resume. When a former in-state recruit starts stacking that kind of production after leaving town, it naturally invites a second look at how his path unfolded and what it means for the roster Tennessee is trying to build now. [Read more 🡒]
Rick Barnes Just Added More Emotion To Tennessee Vs Texas
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Barnes, though, left no doubt where his focus sits now. Ahead of the game, he spoke as a coach invested in Tennessee and its basketball program, which gives this meeting a little extra edge beyond the usual nonconference intrigue. For Tennessee fans, it is another reminder that this game is more than a reunion for Barnes, even if the details of that Texas connection still linger in the background. [Read more 🡒]