Why Tennessee fans shouldn't expect drastically different offensive play calls in Nico Iamaleava's fist career start
Tennessee Vols fans are undoubtedly excited to see true freshman Nico Iamaleava receive his first career start in the Citrus Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Nico's start against Iowa will give fans a sneak peek of what to expect from the Vols in 2024. But while the offense will likely feature a few new wrinkles […]
Tennessee Vols fans are undoubtedly excited to see true freshman Nico Iamaleava receive his first career start in the Citrus Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Nico's start against Iowa will give fans a sneak peek of what to expect from the Vols in 2024.
But while the offense will likely feature a few new wrinkles with Nico at quarterback, I wouldn't expect sweeping changes when it comes to offensive play calls.
One of the biggest criticisms of Josh Heupel in 2023 was that the offense ran the same few plays over and over. The play calling didn't feel as dynamic as it did in 2022 when it seemed like new wrinkles were introduced every week.
Against Iowa, the Vols will likely have a similar approach when it comes to play calls. I'd expect a lot of screen passes and quick outs to wide receivers in the flats.
Now, that doesn't mean that I think Tennessee is going to enter 2024 with that same offensive approach. It's just what makes sense for this game against Iowa.
The Hawkeyes have one of the best defenses in the nation and they rarely give up big plays (they allowed just one run over 20 yards this season despite defending 410 run plays). That's because they play mostly zone coverage. Their quarters defense allows their safeties to effectively defend against big plays both in the run game and the pass game.
Essentially, this is going to be a "take what the defense gives you" type of game for the Vols. And because of Iowa's defensive approach — they rarely play man coverage and they love to pressure the quarterback via zone blitzes — the screen passes and the quick outs should be there often for the Vols. It will essentially be a game of who can execute the best (can Tennessee block on the perimeter or will Iowa be able to get off blocks and tackle for short gains).
There will be some opportunities for deep shots if Nico can manipulate Iowa's safeties (the safeties are the players that are often in conflict in Iowa's defense since they're essentially defending the run or the pass on every play). If Nico makes the right read on some RPOs and can get a safety to hesitate by selling a run, then there could be some chances — especially for Tennessee's slot receiver — to hit on some big plays down the field. But for the most part, I'd expect the Vols' offense to operate mostly as it did with Joe Milton under center. Again, that's not because there are limitations with Nico, it's just what makes sense against Iowa's elite defense.
Nico starting gives the Vols a great head start on the 2024 season. But the ultimate goal for this game, as Heupel said on Wednesday, is to leave Orlando with a win.
