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Tennessee football: Five Vols to watch vs. Mississippi State

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 31: Ty Chandler #8 of Tennessee Volunteers runs into the end-zone to score a touchdown against Georgia State Panthers during the first quarter of the season opener at Neyland Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 31: Ty Chandler #8 of Tennessee Volunteers runs into the end-zone to score a touchdown against Georgia State Panthers during the first quarter of the season opener at Neyland Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images
Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Quarterback. Brian Maurer. player. Freshman. 5. 839

So Jeremy Pruitt is trying to fool us all by not explicitly stating who will be Tennessee football’s starting quarterback this weekend, but it’s a safe bet that Brian Maurer will be the guy. No disrespect to Jarrett Guarantano, but despite his flaws, Maurer still performed at a solid enough level against an elite team last week to prove he deserves the job.

The good news for UT is the Bulldogs have the No. 79 ranked pass defense, slightly worse than the Bulldogs, who are at No. 62. So there will be chances for Maurer to get a few shots in deep on that defense, something Vol fans themselves know MSU defensive coordinator Bob Shoop is all to prone to allowing given what happened during his time on Rocky Top.

However, Maurer will still have to improve his consistency and show an ability to adjust. Shoop is a genius at halftime adjustments, and Maurer did not handle that well at all last week. He and Jim Chaney both struggle on that front, which could be an issue.

Still, Maurer’s mobility adds another layer to what he can do, and his leadership looks pretty solid as well. So he should definitely have a few chances to torch MSU, and if he takes advantage of them, that is the first step to UT doing what it needs to be doing to win this game.

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