TENNESSEE VOLS FOOTBALL: At Georgia Tech

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SEPT. 12 AT GEORGIA TECH

Tennessee’s lack of quality defensive edge rushers will be on full display in this early-season challenge against Georgia Tech.

The Yellowjackets will likely have Haynes King at quarterback, one of the best dual-threat signal callers in the country.

The transfer from Texas A&M has elite (4.46 40-yard dash) speed to go along with a 73% completion rate last year. He accounted for 3,920 yards of total offense last season.

Arm strength, a methodical passing release and a penchant for fumbles are the concerns with which he has dealt.

Besides heralded Penn State transfer Chaz Coleman bailing out on the Tennessee program, Jordan Ross, Caleb Herring, Kellen Windstorm, Emmanuel Okoye and Jaydin Loftin all transferred with plenty of eligibility left. New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will have to be creative in finding an answer.

King will make that need a necessity.

Georgia Tech is coming off a 9-4 season in 2025. Justice Haynes will be back running behind a solid offensive line while Eric Rivers will be the big piece of the receiving corps.

Containing King and making sure Haynes’ production is limited will be the challenge facing the Volunteers’ defense.

Arion Carter and Penn State transfer Amare Campbell are the leaders of the Vols’ linebacking unit that will have to handle Georgia Tech’s explosive offense. Add in guys like Jadon Perlotte, Jeremiah Telander, Jaedon Harmon and Jordan Burns and there are possibilities when it comes to filling gaps in a variety of areas.

By this time, the Vols better be settled on what their offense is going to look like. Finding a backup to running back DeSean Bishop is important, but nowhere near the decision that will have to be made at quarterback with either Faizon Brandon or George MacIntyre. 

As long as the veterans along the offensive line and the stable of big-time receivers deliver as they are expected, Tennessee may have an offense that could be difficult to stop.

An explosive group of edge rushers, along with linebackers Kyle Efford and Justin Weeks, give Georgia Tech a shot at limiting Tennessee’s production. Jason Crenshaw is the anchor of the Yellowjackets secondary.

PREDICTION: Tennessee 24, Georgia Tech 20  

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