Tennessee football players are trying not to make too much of the occasion this week.
They reiterated on Sept. 22 that this is their biggest game yet, but only because it’s the next game. According to them, every week’s opponent is “nameless and faceless.”
This week’s opponent does, however, have a name: Texas. It also has a ranking, and it’s No. 1. Even though it’s only September, the matchup with the No. 1 Longhorns (3-0) on Sept. 26 (noon, ABC) at Neyland Stadium could play an outsized role in defining the season for the No. 13 Vols (3-0).
So what does “nameless and faceless” really mean to the Vols? It isn’t about downplaying the talent of Texas or overlooking the opportunity of an SEC opener against the No. 1 team in the nation. It’s about “having
the same mentality week to week,” senior linebacker Arion Carter said, “… but also knowing what you’re getting yourself into with a great team, a great coached team at that, who will reap the benefits of you making mistakes if you’re not on point.”
Coach Josh Heupel was adamant before Week 3 against Kennesaw State that the final nonconference game, which resulted in a 42-9 win, was not a tune-up. But all three of Tennessee’s games to this point were expected wins that built toward the beginning of conference play. A road game at Georgia Tech was the closest Tennessee got to a real test in nonconference play. That ended in a three-touchdown victory.
It's especially true for younger players who will get their first taste of a marquee matchup. The quality of opponent will take a significant leap forward, as will the atmosphere and speed of the game.
Carter remembered playing those games earlier in his career. All he could think about was making the next big play. That was before he had the responsibilities he does now, where he’ll spend time helping organize the defense and get everyone in the right spots. All he needs from the underclassmen is to keep level heads.
“When you get too high on things and things don’t go your way, you end up getting too low, and then you can’t find that equilibrium,” Carter said. “So then after that, it just becomes a mind game.”
Easier said than done. Especially at certain positions, like quarterback, where things are already complicated enough and Tennessee will start a freshman in Faizon Brandon. The five-star quarterback has shown plenty of promise in his first three career starts, but this will be his first appearance in the national spotlight against a true championship contender.
Seeing Texas as “nameless and faceless” won’t stop the Longhorns from trotting out a surplus of future NFL players. But it might at least slow things down a bit.
“No. 1 team coming in, it's a lot of talk already, but we don't pay attention to it," wide receiver Braylon Staley said. "We've got to come in with our heads down and ready to work.”
Emmett Siegel covers Tennessee baseball for Knox News. Email: emmett.siegel@knoxnews.com; X: @EmmettSiegel_
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why Tennessee football calls No. 1 Texas another 'nameless and faceless' opponent
