One of the most highly anticipated teams in Tennessee football history hit the field on Saturday led by one of the most promising quarterbacks in well over two decades. That worked out pretty well.

The incredibly optimistic outlook on both seem fulfilled for now. The Vols thumped Chattanooga 69-3 led by quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who has received more hype than Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.

Tennessee’s offense will always be ultra-fast as long as Josh Heupel is the Vols’ head coach. Tennessee will be even faster with the ideal quarterback at the helm. Iamaleava is that quarterback, completing 22-of-28 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns.

Tennessee averaged 71 plays last season with Joe Milton III as the starting quarterback. The Vols averaged 74 play per game in 2022 with Hendon Hooker in charge, but Tennessee was faster than that. There were far more times in 2022 than 2023 in which the Vols had a big lead and were more intent to run out the clock than run more plays.

So how fast can the Vols be under Iamaleava, the phenom from California? Very, very fast – if there are enough close games this season. South Florida was the fastest offense in the nation last year as the Bulls ran 82 plays per game. That should be the goal, if necessary, in Knoxville.

In other words, if the Vols need it and Iamaleava is as comfortable as he’s looked every time he’s stepped on the field, Tennessee could easily have the fastest offense in the nation this season, but that probably won’t be in demand. Why? The Vols can run the football – at least against Chattanooga. 

Tennessee rushed for 189 yards in the first half against the Mocs when the game was still somewhat in question, sort of. Junior Dylan Sampson proved an adept, multi-purpose running back that was dangerous on the ground and in the passing game, who accounted for 153 yards from scrimmage.

Then, there are those receivers, led by senior Bru McCoy, who looked 100-percent rehabilitated from the gruesome leg injury he suffered early last season. Dont’e Thornton, who caught two touchdown passes, and looked like the sleek receiver that the Vols expected last season when he transferred from Oregon.

Iamaleava was every bit the player that Tennessee fans dreamed he would be. Aside from the wowing stats, he seems to have a complete feel for how to run an offense and an accurate passing arm that puts receivers in the position to make plays, unlike last season when the Vols had a quarterback that threw passes that were often hard to catch or just completely off target.

Iamaleava’s prowess was evident early in the first quarter when he threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Thornton that was so on target and with just the right tempo that the throw seemed to catch itself. There is not telling where a pass from Milton would have landed in that situation. Tennessee’s receivers were thrown a heavy ball last season that was often tough to catch. Iamaleava delivers the ball to his receivers like a ring bearer in a wedding.

Iamaleava also provided the Hooker-like touch on passes downfield that the Vols didn’t have last season. A nearly perfect pass to Thornton, also in the first half, proved as much. However, let’s not break down each throw. Look at the overall feel of the Vols’ offense. There’s a reason Tennessee’s players looked so much better under Iamaleava than Milton. The Vols wanted to believe in Milton. They completely believe in Iamaleava.

Much of Iamaleava’s play benefited from the Vols’ offensive line and the protection they provided. However, let’s keep in mind that the Vols were playing Chattanooga. The most impressive aspect of the pocket when Iamaleava dropped back and didn’t see exactly what he wanted was that he made quick decisions when to leave the pocket. Boom, five yards. Iamaleava’s sense of how to manage the pocket and when to break the pocket as a redshirt freshman is truly phenomenal.

The Vols will face North Carolina State in their second game. The Wolfpack, which will likely still be ranked in the Top 25, looked more like the Mocs than the Vols in an ugly, weather-delayed, 38-21 win over Western Carolina on Thursday. The Wolfpack, who will have an extra few days to get ready for the Vols, have a few things to prepare for before they meet Tennessee in Charlotte next week. Iamaleava is just a part of the problem. 

Against Chattanooga, the Vols’ offensive line was powerful, Tennessee’s receivers were explosive and Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson looked like an all-purpose tailback that can get defenses fretting in the running and passing game. All that leads to one thing, the Vols can score faster than they ever did last season.

Tennessee scored 24 points in the first quarter against the Mocs. The Vols didn’t score that many points in any first quarter last season. A quick start changes the Vols in all facets, including defense. A quick start allows Tennessee to play vertical on defense with their up-field pass rush more often since teams are more apt to throw. That means more sacks. Thanks again Nico.

The Vols didn’t get as many pass-rush opportunities with a lead against the Mocs because it was obvious in the second half that coach Rusty Wright was thinking about the rest of the season. He wasn’t going to put his standout quarterback, Chase Artopoeus, in harm’s way too often with a Southern Conference title to play for this season. Iamaleava and the Vols have even more to play for.

While it’s so incredibly important to keep in mind (again) that Chattanooga was far outmatched physically, there were just too many individual plays from Iamaleava, Sampson and the Vols’ receivers to think that Tennessee’s offense could stumble mightily against most anyone on their schedule, including Georgia, which manhandled Clemson’s offense on Saturday. 

Iamaleava wasn’t perfect. He didn’t seem to be on the same page with receiver Chris Brazzell on a potential touchdown pass that fell incomplete. Still, those issues will be resolved as Iamaleava continues to improve this season.

Based on one game against an inferior opponent, Tennessee is a College Football Playoff contender. Based on one entire season, 2023, the difference between the Vols’ offense when it’s good and when it’s average is all about one position, quarterback. That issue has been addressed. 

Iamaleava not only makes the Vols playoff contenders. As an elite passer, Iamaleava and his teammates should be considered a national championship contender as well. And, no, that’s not California dreamin’ about a quarterback who is living up to the hype.