The Vols Offense Could Be SCARY Good... If They Fix One BIG Problem

The Tennessee Vols' offense could be one of the most exciting units in college football in 2026 — but there is one major question standing in the way. Charlie Burris and Zach Ragan break down Tennessee's offensive performance in the season opener, the incredible early returns on Faizon Brandon, the emergence of Mike Matthews and DeSean Bishop and the biggest concern facing the Vols heading into their matchup with Georgia Tech. The biggest positive? Faizon Brandon looks like a legitimate difference-maker. The true freshman quarterback showed tremendous poise in his first game, made smart decisions with the football and added an element with his legs that Tennessee hasn't consistently had since Hendon Hooker. Brandon's ability to escape pressure, avoid negative plays and turn broken plays into first downs could significantly raise the ceiling of Tennessee's offense. Charlie and Zach explain why that element of Brandon's game reminds them of what made Hooker so effective during Tennessee's explosive 2022 season. But there is one major problem. The offensive line did not look as good as expected against Furman. Tennessee struggled at times on the right side, rotated several players and still appears to be searching for its best combination at right tackle and right guard. The hosts aren't ready to panic, but they believe Tennessee needs to settle on a consistent lineup before the competition gets significantly tougher. And the Vols have plenty of talent around the quarterback. Mike Matthews had a huge game, DeSean Bishop continues to look like one of Tennessee's most physical players and the running back room appears much deeper than expected entering the season. Tennessee also has a wide receiver room loaded with potential contributors. If the offensive line can become a strength, Charlie and Zach believe Tennessee could have an offense capable of ranking among the best in the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices