The Official #23 Tennessee vs. New Mexico State Game Thread, 4:15 PM ET, SEC Network

[Clad in Big Orange]

Well now we know why the starters played so long. We have no depth at all.

 

[VolBallGuy]

Going to win another scrimmage. Woohoo.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Of course they threw a slant for first down on 3rd and 7

Most difficult pass play to defend

 

[G0V0LS33]

Gmac must really be terrible if Merk is taking 2nd string.

I think he knows Merk is out so he is letting him put some film together. Now I am not saying good film but film nonetheless

 

[Hulavol]

Bandy is my new favorite player.

 

[Cartervol]

The middle of the field is always open against Tennessee...

 

[volfan102455]

He’s had zero fire, ever. That’s not who he is.

He has a different style - I for one have no desire to see a coach yell at one of their players in public.

 

[C-south]

Well now we know why the starters played so long. We have no depth at all.

Why not? It’s his 5th season.

 

[Freak]

Only 2 yards out of bounds….

That's about one step late full speed.

It's a bad play. Kid is a reshirt freshman. It happens. He'll get better. Isn't that why we play these guys in the fourth quarter of blowouts?

 

[bpalmer28]

Why?

Because Merklinger has made it abundantly clear since spring practice that he is terrible and we should be trying to find out if we need a portal QB to compete with Faizon

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Where’s boo?

 

[GiveHim6InSC]

Pay the ticket, ride the ride, mister QB

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

The all orange against Memphis in ‘99 was the worst for me. Just hideous looking uniforms.

Agree. Also terrible.

 

[JMSqb11]

I want to see whatever Heupel sees in Jake Merklinger

It’s on paper because the guy refuses to play his future QB’s with any meaningful time.

It literally took 50 minutes for him to call an offensive gameplan to get Aguilar to 200 yards.

 

[orangerush]

The middle of the field is always open against Tennessee...

You just gave FL and Vandy the game plan

 

[Proud Army Wife]

We cannot let them score lol. Turnover please!

 

[C-south]

Where’s boo?

Taking down instagram pics probably.

 

[volfan102455]

We’ve known this for months. Coaches are either blind or stupid. They are already setting back in 2026 by stupidly doing nothing to develop the only QB on the roster who MIGHT be able to help us next year

You act like all other SEC teams have the opportunity to play their backups - they don't.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Because Merklinger has made it abundantly clear since spring practice that he is terrible and we should be trying to find out if we need a portal QB to compete with Faizon

You're right. Heupel likely doesn't know what you know

 

[BJWeeks]

Atlanta is far from settled. You now have 3 one loss SEC teams with a loss to each other.

Bama beat Georgia who beat Ole Miss

Pretty sure the loss by Bama did nothing to their #2 spot in the SEC standings.

Well Ole Miss beat Oklahoma and will be ranked higher in CFP playoff rankings

 

[Cartervol]

You just gave FL and Vandy the game plan

I'd say that was already their gameplan and everyone's..

 

[bpalmer28]

Gmac must really be terrible if Merk is taking 2nd string.

We’ll never know.

 

[GhostVol]

Holy Crap TN's in trouble!!!

 

[beachvol23]

The middle of the field is always open against Tennessee...

Five years in a row lol

 

[UTFanForLife]

Because Merklinger has made it abundantly clear since spring practice that he is terrible and we should be trying to find out if we need a portal QB to compete with Faizon

Gonna learn that against New Mexico St?