There is one thing that can make a player look scared, timid and just downright bad, even if none of those descriptive terms are actually accurate. Uncertainty can lead to all kinds of issues, which I believe is what is happening to Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

Being uncertain can make a player look all kinds of bad, which Iamaleava was in last week’s 19-14 loss to Arkansas. That, however, doesn’t mean Iamaleava has gone from one of the hottest young quarterbacks in the nation to hot garbage in just a few weeks. He’s still an incredible talent. He’s just not being used correctly.

Iamaleava’s pinpoint accuracy, poise and ability to run the football were certainly on display in the Vols’ first three games, against Chattanooga in the season-opener, against then-No. 24 North Carolina State and lowly Kent State in the Vols’ first three games. Then, things didn’t go quite so well when the schedule toughened, against Oklahoma and Arkansas in the Vols’ last two games, who both often played a 3-3 defensive front and dropped five defensive backs into coverage to befuddle Iamaleava.

Tennessee survived the Sooners 25-15 and lost to the Razorbacks 19-14. In that time, Iamaleava went from a Heisman Trophy candidate to a player that lost two fumbles against Arkansas and inexplicably ran out of bounds against Oklahoma on the final play with no time remaining on the clock. Neither outing should inspire even the most ardent fan to think that Iamaleava can actually be an elite quarterback. However, there’s much more at play than just Iamaleava’s subpar performances. 

The Vols haven’t surrounded their football messiah with an offense to protect him and give him the opportunity to excel. The pass protection woes have been evident. Iamaleava has been sacked nine times in the Vols’ last two games. That pressure also has affected his play-to-play decision making, which is why I think Tennessee should make things easier on the redshirt freshman. 

Tennessee’s offense isn’t difficult to run. The Vols primarily focus on one half of the field and hope to put a a safety in a bind by forcing him to decide whether to cover an inside receiver, such as the slot or tight end, or stay deep to defend a streaking wideout. 

The whole thing worked gloriously in 2022, but it’s worth noting that former Vol Hendon Hooker had played five seasons of college football before he exploded onto the scene with the Vols in his senior season. Iamaleava has started just six games in his two seasons of college football. Inexperience is a factor, but so is Tennessee’s game plan, which is too complicated because of the Vols’ inability to protect the pocket.

If Iamaleava had a perfect pocket to pass from every time he dropped back, I have little doubt he could tear even great defensive backfields apart. If Tennessee’s coaches allowed him to attack the middle of the field, which has been devoid of defenders in the Vols’ last two games, I’m sure Iamaleava would perform at a higher level. However, that just hasn’t been the case.

Tennessee’s coaches have avoided putting the ball in danger in the middle of the field where bad things can happen. We can debate that strategy, but it shows a lack of trust in Iamaleava for whatever reason. If that’s the case, then Tennessee needs to do something else – and I have an idea.

There have been some great quarterbacks that have excelled, especially early in their career, with the very simple attack that I’m proposing. Former Vol Heath Shuler was a part of an offense that capitalized on his accurate, laser-strong arm and athleticism and wasn’t overly affected by what a defense might throw at him.

It’s time for Tennessee coach Josh Heupel to institute a throw-or-go system for the Vols, especially if Heupel continues to overly protect Iamaleava by not allowing him to throw to the middle of the field and not rely more on the Vols’ two-tight end personnel grouping that could better protect Iamaleava from getting battered by an opposing defense and, eventually, cause him to lose his confidence. That will eventually happen if the Vols’ offense continues to struggle. In fact, eroding confidence could already be at play if Iamaleava were 100-percent honest about his current mindset.

That’s the last thing that Heupel wants, a quarterback that is questioning himself headed into games and during all-too important key plays, such as the final play of the Arkansas game in which Iamaleava looked confused and lost.

Iamaleava would excel if he made one read when his back foot digs into the ground when he drops back to pass. Forget about reading multiple receivers and a secondary that has become used to Heupel’s passing attack. If Iamaleava’s first option isn’t open, Heupel should encourage his redshirt freshman to run – and run decisively. That would play to Iamaleava’s physical strengths, protect him and dictate how future defenses play the Vols.

While I don’t think this would be a longterm answer since defenses would adjust, I firmly believe this would force defenses to stop dropping deep into zone coverage. My tactic would also work against man defense as teams would be forced to keep an eye on Iamaleava, which is nearly impossible when playing man-to-man.

I’m aware that Iamaleava doesn’t look like he can take a beating, which he would at times with my plan. However, he knows when to get down and is bigger and stronger than he’s given credit for. 

I’m not suggesting that Iamaleava is the next coming of Johnny Manziel or Michael Vick, but Iamaleava has shown he can run. Simply picking up five yards here and there when the secondary is well-aligned against the pass would change the entire face of the game by putting down-and-distance in the Vols’ favor.

Eventually, teams would employ a spy if Iamaleava became a lethal runner, which he wasn’t against Arkansas. That would stymie my plan, but would take one defender off of the table in the running and passing game. Then, Heupel can go back to the offense he’s known for. 

If you’re still doubting Iamaleava can scare defenses with his scrambling ability, there is good reason for that. Iamaleava looked like a skittish baby giraffe when he ran the ball at times against Arkansas. However, I think that’s more due to being unsure than it is an indictment of his athletic ability.

The Vols clearly have to do something on offense. The best option would be for Tennessee’s receivers to get open quicker, as Heupel alluded to in his weekly press conference on Monday, and the Vols’ offensive tackles to block better on the perimeter. However, that seems like a lot to accomplish with Florida coming up this weekend.

Florida will be ready for what they’ve seen from Tennessee when the two teams take the field in Neyland Stadium at 7 p.m. The Vols could surprise the Gators with the simple throw-or-go system that I’m suggesting. Moreover, that would give Alabama something to think about the following week. 

Iamaleava can handle the throw-or-go offense and just about any other offense that exists. However, the Vols are limited with issues at offensive tackle and a suddenly struggling receiving cope that could be without Bru McCoy and Squirrel White this week due to injuries.

It’s time to make things simple for Iamaleava. That may fly in the face of what Heupel believes, but it just might be the perfect course of action to shakeup defenses that suddenly have a blueprint to stop the Vols. After all, things can’t get worse.