Tennessee’s first loss of the season has already sparked a familiar kind of blame game, and Faizon Brandon ended up in the middle of it after the Volunteers fell to Texas 20-17.
But National Film Analyst Brooks Austin pushed back hard on the criticism aimed at the young quarterback, arguing that the problems ran much deeper than one player. His message was blunt: Tennessee had no run game, no protection, and far too much pressure to ask a first-year starter to carry the offense.
“Let’s not get the message twisted here. They couldn’t run the ball.
They gave up 10 sacks. Don’t be talking about the young quarterback.
They didn’t really give him a lot there. I don’t think they did.
Yeah, some benders were open on 3rd and 7. Alright, but what the freeze frame doesn’t show you is that Rasheem Biles is standing right over the ball.
And yes, as we go to pump, he might’ve flipped his hips to the bender, and the dig might have been coming open, or the shallow cross might have been coming open, but all I’m seeing is color all over the place. I’m seeing a bunch of white jerseys and a bunch of what I think to be tight windows and a bunch of, 'oh my God if I don’t get out right now I’m going to die.'
I think that’s really, really tough for any young quarterback. I have tremendous faith and belief that Faizon is going to be fine.
He’s going to be great. I think we saw a lot of competitive integrity from that young man, cause, I mean, that dude played his backside off in a football game where he didn’t have a lot of help.
No run game, no protection, how do you expect to win?”
Austin also posted, “Seeing a lot of Faizon doubts. No first year starter survives yesterday. pic.twitter.com/64Ip0JOWJ2”
Brandon had moments he will want back, but the broader picture from the game was hard to ignore. Tennessee was sacked 10 times, something the source notes has never happened before, and the offense never found a rhythm. Brandon is only 18, and while he won the job and is expected to perform, the performance came with the kind of growing pains that can hit a young quarterback.
Even with the offense struggling, Tennessee still kept the game close.
The Volunteers now turn to Auburn later this week as they look to clean things up and get back on track.
In Other News...
Texas Had To Address A Tennessee Celebration Vols Fans Wont Forget
Texas left Neyland Stadium with a hard-earned 20-17 win over Tennessee, but some of the attention afterward centered on behavior rather than the final score. Head coach Steve Sarkisian met separately with Colin Simmons and Raleek Brown to address celebrations that crossed the line, including the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty Simmons drew after a touchdown. For a road win that already carried plenty of weight, it became clear the postgame conversation had to include discipline as much as execution.
Sarkisian made clear he was not brushing it off, especially with Simmons viewed as a potential first-round NFL draft pick and expected to carry himself accordingly. The message was about professionalism and setting a standard moving forward, the kind of correction that can linger long after the scoreboard is forgotten. Tennessee fans may not have liked the result, but they certainly noticed the celebration, and Texas had to answer for it. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Just Gave Vols Fans A New Respect Debate
Tennessees narrow 20-17 loss to top-ranked Texas at Neyland Stadium left the Vols with the kind of mixed review that tends to linger. The defense and special teams did enough to keep the game tight, but the offense never fully found its rhythm, and that imbalance showed up again when the latest 247Sports SEC poll landed after Week 4.
Georgia claimed the No. 1 spot, Texas settled in at No. 2 and Tennessee slid to No. 8, a drop that adds another layer to the ongoing respect conversation around the program. Florida and Mississippi State made noticeable climbs, while Texas A&M and Ole Miss also moved down, but for Tennessee the bigger question is how much a close battle with the nations top team actually changes the conference view of the Vols. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Gets A Charged Auburn Test After One Ugly Wake-Up Call
Tennessee gets back on the road Saturday, Oct. 3, and the timing of Auburn could hardly be more instructive. Both teams are 3-1, and for Josh Heupels group, the trip comes with a quick chance to reset after the offense sputtered in the loss to Texas, a game that forced the head coach to talk openly about what needs cleaning up.
Champions Weekend adds another layer to the afternoon in Auburn, with Tennessee honoring past championship teams and individuals while the current roster tries to restore some momentum. The Vols do not have much margin for another clunker this early, and this matchup should say plenty about how quickly Heupels offense can respond to the wake-up call it just got. [Read more 🡒]