By Adam Bache
Tennessee has cleared its non-conference slate unblemished, and now comes the game the program has been circling all offseason.
No. 14 Tennessee opens SEC play Saturday against No. 1 Texas at noon inside a checkered Neyland Stadium. Everything says that this is a massive spot, but ask anyone in the building this week what makes Texas different, and you’ll get the same answer every time: nothing. It’s a “nameless, faceless opponent.” Just the next game on the schedule.
But listen long enough, and it becomes clear that phrase is doing a lot of work to keep a very big moment feeling normal.
Co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Anthony Poindexter has the job of getting his group ready for Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
“Well, first off, he’s experienced, you know, he got high-end talent, can run, can throw. Really talented player. So, and obviously with the receivers they have, you know, he got real targets, tight ends, running backs. So that’ll be a big challenge,” Poindexter said. “This will be the first week, you know, I think our secondary will be challenged on the vertical ball.”
Poindexter also made clear his group’s preparation doesn’t change just because of the Manning family history.
“You know, it’s like it’s just another game, you know, and the kids got to understand, yes, he got talent and he’s a quarterback, but he ain’t his uncle, he ain’t his dad, you know, he’s Arch,” said Poindexter. “He’s a great player. So he’ll be a challenge and hopefully our guys are up to it.”
Up front, tight ends coach Alec Abeln is bracing for a Texas front that will test his group’s technique.
“I think there’s no question this league every week you’re going to see fronts that have really good players, play with technique, play with physicality. I think our unit’s no different though, and it’ll be about the details. It’ll be about their first steps,” said Abeln. “It’ll be about their hand placement. That’s really where the difference comes as you play elite players, and we’re excited about the steps we’ve taken. Excited to see them take another step on Saturday.”
Tight end DaSaahn Brame, who has taken on a bigger blocking role since Ethan Davis’s season-ending ACL injury, knows exactly what he’s facing against a Texas front that includes projected first-round pick Colin Simmons.
“They’re a good rush team. You know, they’re big, they’re physical, and they’re fast, and they attack the quarterback really well, but I feel like we’re going to do a good job kind of holding that down front,” said Brame.
Rather than dread the matchup, Brame said he’s been waiting for a test like this.
“I look forward to it a lot,” said Brame. “It’s really one of our first challenges of the year, and I’m excited to go out there and show a lot of good things in the run game.”
He also spoke to what it means to host the country’s No. 1 team at home.
“At home this weekend, we’re really excited. We get to play at Neyland again. It’s going to be a good experience; we’re really excited,” Brame said.
Linebacker Arion Carter has repeated the same phrase all week about treating every opponent the same.
“The opponent is always nameless and faceless,” Carter said. “You always want to go in with the mindset of, like I said, opponent nameless and faceless, having the same routine and mindset.”
When asked directly what this moment means to him personally, Carter didn’t hide behind the coach-speak.
“Every game I envision those moments of going out and making the most of every single one. Especially with me being a senior… I want to be able to take everything in and not take anything for granted,” Carter said. “So every time I step out on the field, I take everything in and I make sure I make the most of my opportunities while basking in the moment as well, because you don’t get moments like those back.”
Defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam, a Penn State transfer making his first trip through SEC play, echoed Carter’s “nameless, faceless” mindset but didn’t hide what this game means for a player still introducing himself to the league.
“Always playing with a chip on my shoulder. Always focus on myself. You know, everybody likes to talk about the big names and stuff,” said Gilliam. “I feel like this is one of those games where legends are made, and I feel like this is an opportunity for people to really learn who I am.”
Between the coaches preaching details and fundamentals and the players admitting, in their own way, that this one carries extra weight, it’s clear the Volunteers can say whatever they want; it’s clear they head into Saturday’s SEC opener against an unbeaten Texas team fully aware of what’s on the line.