Tennessee will face its biggest test of the young season Saturday when No. 1 Texas visits Neyland Stadium.
The No. 14 Vols open SEC play at noon after a 3-0 start. Tennessee will do so with true freshman Faizon Brandon at quarterback against a Texas defense capable of creating pressure up front and limiting explosive plays in the secondary.
On the other side, Tennessee’s defense will be tasked with containing Arch Manning and a talented group of Texas receivers.
Manning enters the matchup with significantly more experience than Brandon, and Orangebloods’ Cody Carpentier believes that experience has helped him become more comfortable within the Texas offense.
“I think he’s just a much different quarterback,” Carpentier said on Live Ball. “What he’s progressed in the most is just doing more what he knows he can do, and less what maybe the outside believes he is.”
Carpentier said Manning has settled down in the pocket while continuing to use the mobility that separates his game from the traditional perception of a Manning quarterback.
“He’s never going to be, to me, the Peyton Manning, Eli Manning pocket quarterback,” Carpentier said. “He’s just a little bit more dual threat.”
That mobility will challenge a Tennessee defensive front that has consistently generated pressure through the first three games.
The Vols will also face their toughest test in the secondary.
Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo headline a Texas receiving corps with the size and speed to create problems downfield.
Carpentier described Wingo as a dynamic player once the football gets into his hands.
“His burst and acceleration is elite of the elite,” Carpentier said.
Coleman has developed into a more complete receiver since transferring from Auburn.
“They didn’t really have a diverse route tree for him,” Carpentier said. “He’s really tightened that up this year at Texas.”
Veteran slot receiver Emmett Moseley provides another option for Manning. Carpentier pointed to Moseley’s route running and ability to find openings in coverage as two of his strengths.
Tennessee will present its own challenges through the air.
Brandon has shown an ability to create explosive plays with Mike Matthews, Radarious Jackson, and Braylon Staley. Texas, however, will give the freshman a much different test than he faced during Tennessee’s first three games.
The Longhorns have recorded 10 pass breakups and three interceptions.
Carpentier identified sophomore Graceson Littleton as one of the most important players in the Texas secondary.
“The best defender in the secondary right now for Texas is by far sophomore Graceson Littleton,” Carpentier said. “He’s elite man coverage.”
Littleton primarily plays against slot receivers but can move outside.
“If there’s going to be a turnover, he’s going to be near the football,” Carpentier said.
There could still be opportunities for Tennessee to attack downfield.
Carpentier pointed to the Longhorns’ second safety spot as an area with less experience. Kobe Black and Jonah Williams have worked on the back end, and Carpentier believes Tennessee could test that group with Matthews vertically.
Before Brandon can take those shots, Tennessee will have to protect him.
Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons presents one of the biggest challenges for a Tennessee offensive line that has allowed pressure at times this season.
“Colin Simmons is special,” Carpentier said. “He’s been special since the day he stepped on campus.”
Simmons could spend part of Saturday matched against Tennessee offensive tackle David Sanders Jr.
Carpentier believes Simmons’ speed-to-power ability, hand usage and improved understanding of how to attack offensive tackles have made him more difficult to handle.
“Physically is one thing, but when you can progress mentally and slow things down, that’s how he plays the edge position,” Carpentier said.
Texas also has enough talent inside to prevent Tennessee from focusing solely on Simmons.
That matchup could become particularly important for a Tennessee offense that has relied heavily on its rushing attack.
Carpentier pointed to 365-pound defensive tackle Ian Jafard and the depth of the Texas defensive front as a potential challenge for Tennessee’s interior offensive line.
“The trenches are my big question here,” Carpentier said.
Tennessee’s ability to run the football could determine how much is eventually asked of Brandon in his first SEC start.
“If Texas can create havoc on the interior of the defensive line and take advantage of the Tennessee offensive line, I think Texas is going to have an advantage here,” Carpentier said. “But again, if Tennessee can neutralize that and give Faizon Brandon time and get this running game going at least a little bit…”
Tennessee has spent the first three games building around Brandon while its run game and defense have provided stability.
Saturday will show how well that formula holds up against the top-ranked team in the country.
