Tennessee (2-2, 2-2 SEC) enters Week 5 of a 10-game SEC-only schedule.
The Vols will host No. 2 Alabama (4-0, 4-0 SEC) at 3:30 p.m. EDT. The contest will be televised by CBS.
Ahead of the matchup, former Tennessee quarterback A.J. Suggs joined the show “Tennessee Two-A-Days” to discuss the 2020 college football season and the Vols in year three under Jeremy Pruitt.
Suggs holds the single-game completions record at Tennessee. He completed 37 passes against LSU in 2000. Suggs is tied with Tyler Bray (2012, Missouri) and Peyton Manning (1996, Florida) who also completed 37 passes in one contest for the Vols.
After redshirting in 1999 and playing in 2000 for Tennessee, Suggs transferred to Georgia Tech under head coach Chan Gailey and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
Suggs discussed his experience going through a quarterback battle at Tennessee, much like the Vols have currently with freshman Harrison Bailey who saw his first game action last week against Kentucky. Redshirt senior Jarrett Guarantano recorded two pick-sixes in the loss to Kentucky, creating a battle for the starting position ahead of playing Alabama.
“I can tell you from experience, going through a quarterback battle, it’s tough, it really is,” Suggs said. “When I was at UT, it was Joey Matthews, Casey Clausen, John Rattay was there. When you are in those battles, you have to maximize your reps. Every throw counts and the pressure is really on day in and day out. You are not only trying to win the job on the field, but you are trying to win the job off the field – whether it is with your teammates, coaches, the fans, or with your school. There is a lot that goes into it.
“Unlike other positions, it is hard to play more than one quarterback, so you kind of have to go with the guy. It brings a lot pressure to the competition, but where Tennessee is right now, they are 2-2. I’m a Harrison Bailey fan — so why not? Give the guy a shot and see what happens. If you look at Georgia Tech, we’re playing a freshman. There have been some ups and downs, but you can really feel some momentum and Jeff Sims is getting great experience. To me, that is going to be invaluable in the future for the program. So maybe now is the time.”
The entire show with Suggs can be listened to here or below.