Georgia Tech wants to stop Tennessee’s run game.
If the Yellow Jackets succeed, the challenge shifts to protecting the true freshman quarterback behind it.
Faizon Brandon will make his first road start Saturday night in Atlanta against a Georgia Tech defense built to create more pressure off the edge.
That puts the responsibility on more than Tennessee’s offensive line and DeSean Bishop understands that challenge.
“I believe we’re the engine of the offense, especially with the O-line and the guys blocking out wide as well,” Bishop said.
Bishop expects defenses to make stopping Tennessee’s ground game a priority while Brandon continues to gain experience.
“A lot of teams are going to try to stop the run,” Bishop said. “Obviously, we’re talking a young quarterback as well, so we got to take that pressure off of him and just continue to run the ball and punish people in the run game.”
Georgia Tech has personnel capable of challenging that approach.
Linebacker Kyle Efford returned after leading the Yellow Jackets with 77 tackles last season. He opened this season with a team-high 14 tackles.
Taje McCoy, an Oklahoma State transfer, added 11 tackles in his Georgia Tech debut.
The Yellow Jackets also added Alabama transfer Noah Carter and Rutgers transfer Jordan Walker to a defensive front that entered the season with increased expectations.
Georgia Tech produced 26 sacks in 2025.
The production from some of its high-profile additions was limited in Week 1, but Tennessee is preparing for a physical group.
“They’re relentless,” Bishop said. “They play hard. They’re physical.”
Bishop specifically pointed to Georgia Tech defenders pursuing plays from the opposite side of the field on film.
Tennessee’s response could require Bishop to contribute without the football, too.
He took pride in his blocking following the season opener and said developing into a reliable pass protector remains an important part of his game.
Bishop wants to prove he can become a third-down option capable of identifying pressure and protecting Brandon.
“That’s another point of my game where I’m trying to prove that, you know, be that third-down back,” Bishop said.
Tennessee’s tight ends will have similar responsibilities.
Trent Thomas said the group performed well in pass protection against Furman, although he identified pad level and smaller technical details as areas needing improvement.
The challenge becomes greater if Georgia Tech can put Tennessee behind the chains and create obvious passing situations.
Thomas believes preparation allows him to play faster without having to process his responsibilities after the snap.
“My thing is if you’re prepared, you’re not thinking out there,” Thomas said. “You can play fast. You can play as good as you want to.”
Brandon’s mobility gives Tennessee another potential answer.
The freshman showed his ability as a runner in his debut, including a touchdown on an option keeper.
Bishop believes that creates another problem for defenses trying to devote additional resources to Tennessee’s running backs.
“Now defense has got to not only account for us, but account for him in the run game as well,” Bishop said.
Georgia Tech wants to make Tennessee uncomfortable by limiting its rushing attack.
How well the Vols’ running backs and tight ends handle everything that comes with that approach could determine how comfortable their freshman quarterback remains in his first road start.
