By Sawyer Hunley
True freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon shone in his debut with the Volunteers on Saturday as Tennessee rolled past Furman 56-9 in its season opener.
But Tennessee’s next test will be a major step up for the young quarterback when the Vols travel to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech on Saturday night.
Brandon has never played in a road atmosphere, and Bobby Dodd Stadium is not an easy venue for a debut.
While it seats only 51,913 fans, the home of the Yellow Jackets can become deafening quickly.
Multiple ranked teams have entered Bobby Dodd Stadium in the last two seasons and left defeated, most notably No. 4 Miami in 2024 and No. 11 Clemson in 2025.
While it is a tall task, Brandon appears ready for it, especially after his Week 1 performance. He threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 68 yards and two scores.
According to head coach Josh Heupel, preparation will be key for the first-year starter heading into a hostile road environment.
“Prepare the right way and empty the tank in your preparation,” Heupel said on Monday.
Preparation is critical for a freshman on the road to simplify decision-making, and Heupel is emphasizing that process ahead of the matchup.
Another key for Brandon will be protecting the football.
“He’s gonna have to make plays, but he’s gotta take care of the football as well,” Heupel said.
The last time Tennessee started an inexperienced quarterback in a true road environment was in 2024, when Nico Iamaleava started against Oklahoma.
Iamaleava turned the ball over twice in that game, shifting momentum to Oklahoma.
Tennessee prevailed 25-15 thanks to a stout defense, but the contest demonstrated how quickly a freshman’s first road start can derail.
Ultimately, execution on the small details will dictate Brandon’s success. Checking the ball down to a running back, throwing it away under pressure, and using his legs to gain positive yardage could prove to be the difference for Tennessee.
“It always comes down to little things. That’s on the road or at home, but on the road it’s even amplified,” Heupel said.
Brandon and Tennessee will face a sellout crowd Saturday night, but the Vols possess the talent needed to win on the road.
It will be a primetime showdown with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Excellent article Sawyer!🧡