Tennessee football faced an injury scare on Saturday evening in their victory over Mississippi State when quarterback Nico Iamaleava exited with an upper body injury after a hard hit. Iamaleava did not return, raising concerns among fans about his availability for next week’s road game against the Georgia Bulldogs.
However, head coach Josh Heupel provided a reassuring update, stating, “We anticipate having him next week,” according to Chandler Vessels of On3 Sports.
Backup quarterback Gatson Moore stepped in to finish the game for the Volunteers, who now hold an impressive 8-1 record as they head into their matchup with Georgia. Although Tennessee’s offense has cooled slightly from their strong season start, their defense remains one of the nation’s top units, and Iamaleava continues to be a powerful presence in the backfield, capable of delivering deep passes.
With a win on Saturday, Tennessee could effectively eliminate Georgia from the college football playoff race after the Bulldogs’ recent loss to Ole Miss. Meanwhile, the Volunteers keep their own playoff hopes alive and still have a shot at the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta if they can upset Georgia.
This season could end with as many as six SEC teams holding 10-2 records, posing a challenge for the playoff committee in the first year of the new 12-team system. The Volunteers and Bulldogs are set to kick off at 7:30 PM ET.
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