Anyone else feeling like an upset special is on the way here soon? No. 14 Tennessee is ready to take on No. 1 Texas, and while plenty of Vols haters are expecting the Longhorns to post a double-digit win, sorry, we just don't see it happening. This is going to be a see-saw battle, with Tennessee hoping to silence all the doubters.
That's, of course, not going to be easy, but it's going to be on Josh Heupel and his staff to get his playmakers in the best position possible to do the unthinkable. With that, we've got some bold predictions for this contest, including a final score that may surprise you...
3. Faizon Brandon is going to out-shine Arch Manning
A true freshman quarterback going up against a Heisman contender in Arch Manning - yup, that's exactly what we've got. Countless eyes are going to be on 5-star QB Faizon Brandon, who has looked solid in his first three games of his college career.
Still, no one can pretend that Brandon has been perfect to start things off. We've seen freshman mistakes, but the non-conference slate was the perfect time for him to iron some issues out. Come Saturday, Brandon will throw for 268 yards and three TDs, while Manning will go for 228 yards and two scores.
On the season, Brandon has thrown for 552 yards and six touchdowns, while Manning has tossed for 661 yards and seven TDs. On paper you'd think that Manning is going to be the one to have the better showing, but we don't see that happening in this one.
2. Xavier Gilliam and Jordan Norman will comebine for 4 sacks vs. Texas
Regardless of if Hollywood Smothers plays or not, the game plan will not change much for defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. And it all starts up front. Consistent pressure will need to be put on Manning to help take him out of his game.
Enter Xavier Gilliam and Jordan Norman. These two will be tasked with living in the backfield to make life uncomfortable for the stud Texas QB throughout the four quarters of play, which surely won't be too easy. With that said, four sacks for Gilliam and Norman combined at Neyland Stadium this weekend? It's not too wild to think about.
1. Tennessee will shock No. 1 Texas and move into the Top 10
Their backs are against the wall, and not many people outside of Knoxville are giving the Vols a shot. Throw that out the damn window. Texas hasn't been playing its best either, which we saw in the Week 3 win over UTSA last weekend. That performance was something even Manning knew wasn't good enough.
Meanwhile, Tennessee has nothing to lose in this game, with all the pressure on Steve Sarkisian. Brandon and DeSean Bishop will turn heads, while Arion Carter and his defense will have people off their seats from start to finish come Saturday. Upset city on the way? Let's go.
Prediction: Tennessee 24, Texas 21
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