Obviously there should be no issues for Tennessee Football Saturday when the Vols face Chattanooga. However, the Mocs are as good a test for them as an FCS team could be, as they are a top 10 program that returns a ton of talent from an 8-5 team and added numerous high-profile transfers, some from the FBS level.
A very experienced team could give the Vols trouble at the skill positions. There’s no reason to pay attention to the trenches, as UT has a clear advantage there. To put this game away, it will take the talent on the outside to remain disciplined. Here are the five players from Rocky Top to watch for in the program’s opener to Josh Heupel’s fourth season.
5. Chris Brazzell II
The Mocs return both safeties and their top cornerback. They are very experienced in the secondary and facing a UT receiving corps. that is loaded but has little experience playing together. Chris Brazzell II’s play is the X-factor among receivers. He is the guy with the least amount experience in the system expected to make a big impact this year, so this will be a solid first test for him.
4. Arion Carter
Obviously, Tennessee Football will win the battles in the trenches, but Chattanooga runs the ball and has a veteran offensive line that understands blocking assignments on stretch run plays. That puts pressure on Arion Carter, who has generated a ton of hype this offseason, to step up and explode into the star he was billed as.
3. Boo Carter
By far the Mocs’ passing game is their speciality, as they return their quarterback, their all-conference receiver and add another all-conference receiver. UT’s secondary is a major question on the other hand. Freshman Boo Carter is expected to help immediately improve that, and given his lack of experience, he’ll be challenged Saturday. Oh, he’s from Chattanooga too. Can he rise to the occasion?
2. Rickey Gibson III
Pretty much the secondary in general will determine whether or not Tennessee Football wins this game easily. Rickey Gibson III is showing promise as a lockdown cornerback, and he’ll have his hands somewhat full this weekend proving that. After a strong finish to last year, this is his chance to give the first taste of the possibilities surrounding him.
1. Nico Iamaleava
Okay, maybe this is cliche, but it’s Nico Iamaleava’s first game as a starter in which he’ll have a chance to light it up. Joe Milton III failed to do that against the Austin Peay Governors in 2023 and the Bowling Green Falcons in 2021. Iamaleava is facing a tough secondary, so he could struggle too if not careful. Tennessee Football needs him to ball out just to meet the hype that came with him.
