SEC football predictions: Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava to play vs UConn; LSU beats Alabama

Tennessee fans should be delighted with the upcoming game against Connecticut at Neyland Stadium on Saturday. The excitement isn’t just because it’s homecoming or because there’s a preseason women’s basketball game before the football game. The true anticipation lies in the future of Tennessee football. Fans may have the opportunity to witness five-star freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava in action. Although he hasn’t played much, his potential is undeniable.

The game against UConn presents an opportunity for Iamaleava to showcase his skills. With a sizable lead by halftime, starting quarterback Joe Milton can take a break in the second half. This will give fans ample time to watch Iamaleava, who is the projected future quarterback for Tennessee.

Final Score Prediction: Tennessee 41, Connecticut 7

The rushing stats indicate a significant mismatch in this game. Tennessee ranks seventh nationally in rushing yards per game, while UConn’s run defense is ranked 97th. This implies that Tennessee’s running backs, Jaylen Wright, Jabari Small, and Dylan Sampson, have a chance to further excel. However, Tennessee shouldn’t overlook their passing game, which was effectively led by Joe Milton in their victory over Kentucky.

The Vols will need all the offensive firepower they can muster in the upcoming games against Missouri and Georgia.

Final Score Prediction: Georgia 40, Missouri 23

Georgia tends to elevate their performance against tougher opponents. This was evident in their wins against Kentucky and Florida, where they dominated both games convincingly. Against weaker opponents, Georgia’s victories have been less dominant. However, Missouri is one of the best teams they will face, which means Georgia should bring their A-game.

Final Score Prediction: LSU 34, Alabama 27

Despite Alabama’s strong defense, LSU’s offense, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, is even more impressive. A win against Alabama would solidify Daniels’ position as the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy. His outstanding performances, averaging 386.8 yards per game, puts him in the lead for total offense nationwide.

Final Score Prediction: Ole Miss 27, Texas A&M 20

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin recognizes the potential for his offense against Texas A&M’s elite receiving corps. On the other hand, Jimbo Fisher, the Aggies’ coach, has struggled to maximize the talent in his offensive roster. Ole Miss’ defense should be sufficient to handle Texas A&M’s offense.

Final Score Prediction: Florida 31, Arkansas 24

The upcoming game against Arkansas is crucial for Florida, as they need one more victory to become bowl eligible. However, their remaining schedule indicates that securing another win won’t be easy.

Final Score Prediction: South Carolina 30, Jacksonville State 20

South Carolina’s season has taken a downward turn, which is embodied by coach Shane Beamer’s broken foot, symbolizing the team’s struggles and accumulating injuries and losses.

Final Score Prediction: Auburn 34, Vanderbilt 20

Auburn surprised many by showcasing their passing attack in a recent game against Mississippi State. If this performance wasn’t an aberration, Auburn’s offense will overpower Vanderbilt, as is the case with most teams.

Final Score Prediction: Kentucky 31, Mississippi State 27

Mississippi State struggled to defend against Auburn’s passing, which could spell trouble when facing Kentucky. Kentucky’s quarterback, Devin Leary, is coming off a career game against Tennessee.

Record: 65-10 (.867), 39-22 (.639) against the spread

John Adams is a senior columnist, and he can be contacted at 865-342-6284 or [email protected]. You can also follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/johnadamskns.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: “SEC football predictions: Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava to play vs UConn”