Tennessee Volunteers

The biggest preseason question was who would replace Joey Aguilar, and after one game it looks answered. Faizon Brandon, the 5-star freshman, threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns while adding two rushing scores in the opener against Furman, becoming the first SEC player since Cam Newton to do that in his debut. He also ran for 68 yards on 10 carries, showing the mobility that offensive coordinator Joey Halzle's system demands. Coach Josh Heupel praised his poise, and the deep ball was on display with two long scoring passes to Mike Matthews. Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre took over in the second half, but Brandon has clearly earned the starting role heading into the Georgia Tech road game.

After last season's defensive struggles cost Tim Banks his job, new coordinator Jim Knowles brought in familiar faces from Penn State, and they made an instant impact. Defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam, a Penn State transfer, sacked Furman's quarterback three times, and the unit held the Paladins to just nine points, all of which came after Tennessee turnovers. The defensive front, featuring Chaz Coleman and Daevin Hobbs, controlled the line of scrimmage, while the secondary with transfers TJ Metcalf and DJ Burks looked solid. The Vols forced Furman into just 36 passing yards and limited their offense to a single touchdown run. It is only one game against an FCS opponent, but the early returns suggest Knowles has already improved a unit that was the team's biggest liability in 2025.

DeSean Bishop, who rushed for 1,076 yards last season, picked up where he left off with 97 yards and a touchdown against Furman. He did lose a fumble, one of several turnovers that kept the game from being even more lopsided. Justin Baker added a 73-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, showing depth behind Bishop. The offensive line, which returns five starters, opened holes all day, and the Vols finished with over 200 rushing yards. However, the fumbles and the slow start in the first quarter, when they managed just 32 rushing yards, are reminders that this offense is still finding its rhythm. Protecting the ball will be critical in closer games against SEC opponents.

The Furman blowout was a confidence builder, but it will not move the needle much for a team ranked No. 20. Next up is a road game at Georgia Tech, where the Vols will face a hostile environment and a defense that, while coming off a loss, is far more athletic than Furman's. The preseason scouting report noted that Tennessee's offense relies on the quarterback's confidence and mobility, and Brandon will get his first true test away from Knoxville. The Vols are favored by 13 points, but the Yellow Jackets have a power rating that suggests they are not a pushover. After that, the SEC schedule looms with its usual gauntlet of tough opponents, leaving little room for error if Tennessee hopes to improve on last year's 8-5 record.

Cooper Ranvier, the All-ACC kicker from Louisville, handled kicking duties in the opener, and punter Jackson Ross returns for his fourth season. Joakim Dodson, who returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the Music City Bowl, gives the return game a big-play threat. The Vols also showed depth at running back with Baker's long touchdown run and at quarterback with MacIntyre getting valuable reps. However, the receiving corps is young beyond Braylon Staley, and the defense still has to prove it can hold up against Power Four competition. The opener answered some questions, but the real test begins now, and how the team handles adversity on the road will define whether this season is a step forward or another disappointment.