This weekend, Texas walks into one of many y to open their SEC slate. Tennessee is led by true freshman QB Faizon Brandon, with NFL skills like RB DeSean Bishop and LB Arion Carter with him. The s are off to an undefeated begin, beating Furman, Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State to open the season. Now, their talent-laden roster is trying to upset Texas and vault themselves firmly into CFP rivalry.
Listed below are the six gamers Texas followers ought to know earlier than kickoff on Saturday:
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Tennessee Volunteers RB Daune Morris
The Tennessee offense has numerous elite playmakers on it. Daune Morris is overshadowed by DeSean Bishop at occasions, however he brings a lot to the desk. To begin this season, he has 234 yards on 29 carries, together with over 95 yards in every of the final two weeks. He’s averaging 8.1 yards per carry this season, together with a 47 yard TD run towards Georgia Tech. DeSean Bishop is hard sufficient however Morris makes the Tennessee run sport even more durable to sluggish.
Tennessee Volunteers WR Braylon Staley
On the surface, the Tennessee WRs are a really deep unit. Mike Matthews is the main receiver via three video games however Braylon Staley can change video games as effectively. Staley has simply 7 catches for 87 yards and two scores this season, however totalled almost 900 yards final season. He’s coming off his finest efficiency of the season to this point, reeling in 4 catches for 59 yards and a TD vs. Kennesaw State. Each Tennessee WR is hard to cowl however Staley appears primed for a breakout, so Texas might want to maintain monitor of No. 14.
Tennessee Volunteers OT David Sanders Jr.
I’ll very not often have an offensive lineman on this record. David Sanders Jr. is the exception. Sanders Jr. is within the class of Trevor Goosby in terms of OTs within the SEC. Regardless of being youthful, his potential is outstanding. At 6 '6”, 310lbs, he strikes extremely effectively and it makes him almost inconceivable to beat in move safety. The Tennessee OL isn’t the strongest unit for the Volunteers however Sanders at LT is the only finest participant on the crew. Muschamp must confuse the sophomore to get strain from the left aspect.
Tennessee Volunteers DL Xavier Gilliam
In seasons’ previous, James Pearce Jr., Joshua Josephs and Bryson Eason have made headlines alongside the Tennessee DL. This season, it’s not as many family names however the potential is similar. Xavier Gilliam is main the way in which, with 12 tackles, 3 sacks and a FF on the season already. He’s able to taking up the sport inside or outdoors of the DL. That is the participant the Texas OL must decelerate to provide Arch Manning time on Saturday.
Tennessee Volunteers LB Jeremiah Telander
Arion Carter typically will get the headlines on this LB group however Jeremiah Telander is each bit pretty much as good. He enters this sport with 11 tackles, 1 sack, 2 PDs and 1 TD on the season. He’s an extremely numerous skill-set, giving the Tennessee protection tons of versatility at their LB place. Whereas Manning is scanning the Tennessee protection pre-snap, he’ll have to search out No. 22 each time. If he loses monitor of him, he can change the sport in a second.
Tennessee Volunteers CB Kayin Lee
Regardless of this being the primary time Texas has performed Tennessee throughout their SEC stint, there may be some familiarity between the rosters. Kayin Lee and Cam Coleman are each former s and confronted off always in observe. Lee joined the Volunteers this offseason, bringing some sturdy protection potential to the desk. All through his first three seasons, he has 17 PDs and three INTs however hasn’t logged both this season. Coleman, Wingo and Mosley must discover openings towards the senior CB if they need constant success on Saturday.
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This text initially appeared on Longhorns Wire: y
