Rece Davis: Ground Game Is Tennessee's Path Past No. 1 Texas
The short version
- No. 13 Tennessee (3-0) hosts No. 1 Texas (3-0) on Sept. 26 at noon ET on ABC at Neyland Stadium.
- Rece Davis says the Vols' best upset formula is a strong rushing game to support 18-year-old freshman QB Faizon Brandon.
- Tennessee ranks fourth nationally in rushing offense at 298.7 yards per game; Texas allows just 12 points per game.
- Brandon has 552 passing yards, six TDs, no interceptions and 137 rushing yards with three more scores this season.
- "CollegeGameDay" broadcasts from Ayres Hall, and President Donald Trump plans to attend the game.
The ESPN analyst says an 18-year-old freshman quarterback needs help from the run game when the No. 13 Vols host Texas on Sept. 26 in Knoxville.
Tennessee enters the biggest test of its season on Saturday, Sept. 26, when the No. 13 Volunteers (3-0) welcome No. 1 Texas (3-0) to Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon ET on ABC, giving fans a marquee Southeastern Conference matchup in the early window.
The spotlight will fall heavily on Faizon Brandon, the 18-year-old freshman quarterback steering the Volunteers offense. The buildup carries extra attention: ESPN's "College GameDay" originates from Ayres Hall before kickoff, and President Donald Trump is expected to be in attendance.
"CollegeGameDay" host Rece Davis, speaking Sept. 25, said the smart approach for Tennessee is to shield its young signal-caller rather than lean entirely on him. He praised Brandon as a player with unusual maturity for his experience level and said the day is coming when the offense can rest fully on his shoulders — but that Saturday should not be that day.
Davis pointed to coach Josh Heupel's track record of setting up inexperienced quarterbacks to succeed. In this matchup, that means relying on running back DeSean Bishop and a seasoned offensive line to establish the run, control the interior of the line of scrimmage, and keep Texas from teeing off on the passer. That balance, Davis added, should also help Brandon settle into what he called a significant environment.
The numbers suggest the ground attack is Tennessee's clearest strength. The Volunteers sit fourth nationally and first in the SEC in rushing offense at 298.7 yards per game. The caveat is quality of opposition: none of UT's three defeated opponents has beaten an FCS team this season.
Texas presents a far stiffer challenge. The Longhorns defense has surrendered only 12 points per game this year, and Davis noted the Vols have yet to run the ball against a front with Texas' combination of talent and size. He believes that if Tennessee approaches its usual rushing production, an upset becomes realistic — while overburdening Brandon could prove costly.
Brandon's own stat line through three games is solid: 552 passing yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions, a 64 percent completion rate, and another 137 yards and three scores on the ground.
Davis framed the game as a measuring stick for the program. Tennessee does not necessarily have to win, in his view, but it must meet a certain standard of play to show whether the team is still developing or has arrived.
For viewers planning their Saturday, the game airs nationally on ABC at noon, with "College GameDay" coverage from Ayres Hall leading into the broadcast from Knoxville.
Games to watch
