The Tennessee Volunteers are coming off a season in which they made their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. However, their run was short-lived, as the Vols were promptly run out of Columbus. This season, Tennessee hopes to return to the same stage—with the goal of making it out of the first round.
They’ll have to do it without Nico Iamaleava at quarterback following his messy departure from the university. What began as a contract-related money issue quickly escalated into a larger controversy. The situation deteriorated to the point that Iamaleava’s family was reportedly being told to "take the arrows."
“The people who screwed this up for him, his representation, should do the first dignified thing they’ve done and step up to take the arrows for him,” Josh Pate said on The Pat McAfee Show. “He’s not the one that got himself into this mess.”
Now, all eyes are on Joey Aguilar, who could be Tennessee’s starting quarterback by September. He appears to be the ideal replacement for the Vols.
“Aguilar fits what Tennessee is looking for, a proven starter with one year to play. He passed for 6,760 yards and 56 TDs [over the] last two years at App. State. Also a very capable runner. Heupel and Vols definitely looking for another QB,” ESPN’s Chris Low wrote.
Although the season is still months away, the rivalry with Alabama is already heating up. During a FaceTime call between John Gruden and Alabama sophomore wide receiver Ryan Williams, some potential bulletin board material may have been exchanged.
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“I hate Alabama, I’m a Tennessee man,” Gruden said.
“Y’all come to us this year, just remember that,” Williams replied.
There’s a lot on the line this season. A win in Tuscaloosa would mark Tennessee’s first victory at Alabama since 2003—and a win over the Crimson Tide would also give the Vols back-to-back victories in the rivalry for the first time since 2004.