It’s not likely that Tennessee football comes close to Bama in Tuscaloosa. But the Volunteers need quarterback Brian Maurer to have any chance.
Don’t worry. We aren’t up here claiming that Tennessee football is going to beat or even remain close with the Alabama Crimson Tide. That’s pretty much a foregone conclusion given how things have shaken out this year for the 2-4 Vols and the last 12 years in the series.
However, if they are going to have any chance in the world at even making this interesting, Brian Maurer has to be able to go Saturday. Otherwise, the game will be over by halftime and maybe even before that.
Jarrett Guarantano deserves a lot of praise for what he did last week. After Maurer threw two red zone interceptions, he was knocked out of the game due to a concussion. Guarantano came in, operated Jim Chaney’s conservative game plan, and completed passes where he needed to, finishing six-of-seven for over 100 yards and a touchdown.
This week, Jeremy Pruitt will need Chaney to open up the offense. Such a style of play will never come close to beating Alabama. With Tennessee football’s elite receivers, Guarantano can play in a wide open offense. But his player profile is not what will beat Alabama.
Maurer’s could make noise, though. Alabama has allowed two quarterbacks to torch them on the ground. Last week, Kellen Mond of the Texas A&M Aggies went for 90 yards and a touchdown. John Rhys Plumlee of the Ole Miss Rebels, meanwhile, had 109 yards and a touchdown.
Both of them scored more on the Tide than Saban would have preferred, and that’s the key to giving these guys some trouble. The fact of the matter is Guarantano can’t do what Maurer can do on the ground.
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Sure, he threw two red zone picks last week. But Maurer got down there three times and had three carries for 41 yards. Sorry, but Pruitt has to take some risks to have any shot at beating the Tide. He can’t worry about Maurer’s mistakes because just not making mistakes won’t be nearly enough against this team.
Also, remember that one of Saban’s biggest weaknesses as a defensive coaches is going up against mobile quarterbacks he hasn’t seen before. With only one game that he started and finished under his resume, Maurer hasn’t given Saban much to go off of just yet. And he needs that preparation to win.
If Guarantano is in there, Tennessee football will allow 10 sacks. The guy is just too late with his decision-making, and Chaney’s plays can be too slow-developing. Nick Saban’s defense, despite its struggles, will eat that alive.
On the other hand, Maurer just may have what it takes to give the Tide more trouble than people expect. He’s got a lot of confidence, and his gunslinging tendencies are fun for everybody to watch. Vol Nation would enjoy just seeing what he can do.
Of course his health matters the most, so if he can’t go, then the Vols have to just suck it up. But if he is able to go, then UT should turn to him immediately and see what they can get out of his talents. Guarantano may be better for the year. Maurer is better for this game.