Nico Iamaleava has not thrown for 200 yards in five consecutive games.
In four SEC games, the Tennessee quarterback has completed just 58% percent of his passes for 178.8 yards per game with a mere two touchdowns. He’s been sacked 13 times.
And his pass efficiency ranks near the bottom of the SEC in SEC games only (121.25) behind the likes of Auburn’s Payton Thorne, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Mississippi State’s Michael Van Buren Jr.
Heading into November, the Vols rank 15th in passing yards in SEC games only.
But I’m optimistic the Vols have turned the corner through the air and will prove it against Kentucky this Saturday (7:45 pm, SEC Network).
Why?
Answer: The second half against Alabama.
It’s amazing how 30 minutes can change the outlook for a player. An offense. A team.
If Iamaleava and the Tennessee passing game can match in November what it did against the Crimson Tide in the second half, then the Vols are likely headed for the College Football Playoffs.
I say “likely” because you don’t know what everybody else is going to do in the wacky world of college football.
But I know an 11-1 Tennessee team will make the 12-team playoff and I think a 10-2 team will be in the field.
Iamaleava was really good in the final two quarters against the Tide. He completed seven of 13 passes for 95 yards with no picks. He threw a dime to Dont’e on a rollout to the right for 55 yards. He hit Chris Brazzell on a well-thrown fade for a 16-yard score. He had another 30+ yard pass negative when the receiver caught the ball out of bounds.
Iamaleava was decisive. He had command of the offense and engineered 267 total yards in the first half after UT got just 144 in the first half against the Tide.
What I saw in the last 30 minutes from Iamaleava is more like what I expected of him this season. I never considered him a Heisman Trophy candidate, but a talented work in progress. That progress was evident two weeks ago.
Now, can he carry that over against Kentucky?
He should.
Kentucky’s defense allowed Florida quarterback DJ Lagway to average 37 yards on seven completions.
Kentucky ranks 15th in the SEC in conference games only in pass defensive efficiency. It has allowed opponents to complete 69.6% of their passes. It has just four interceptions.
It would help Iamaleava if he got better pass protection, particularly from his tackles.
It would also help if his receivers were healthy and didn’t drop passes.
Thornton and Squirrel White (shoulder) have been plagued by nagging injuries.
Iamaleava also needs to put more air on his deep throws, allowing his receivers to at least adjust to the flight of the pass. There’s no chance if Nico fires a line drive over the receivers’ head.
During the open date, Tennessee should have worked extensively on the timing of its passing game. Hitches. Slants. Screens. Fades. Skinny posts. Deep posts.
The passing game showed flashes against Alabama.
If the Vols can take that momentum into the Kentucky game, the offense should flourish.
And make for a November to remember for Tennessee fans.
