Series

Key called his own team soft after Colorado. Haynes, Mendoza, and that defense have had a full week to sit in the film. This is not last year’s Jackets, and it is not Thursday night either.

Haynes and Hosley will try to sit on the football. Gilliam and the front have to win first down or this turns into the kind of night Vols fans already know too well.

Brandon looked like he belonged. Week one gave Tennessee clues, not answers, and Georgia Tech is next.

Furman is the crash dummy. Heupel will not take his foot off the gas.

Furman is not winning Saturday. Joshua Stoneking can still make the first start messy if he beats Tennessee’s tackles.

Furman is not the measuring stick. Faizon Brandon is. How he plays Saturday sets the tone for the year.