Nick Saban Names SEC Program That ‘Will Be Hard to Beat’ With Rising Star

Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban believes in the Tennessee Volunteers following an impressive showing from first-year starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava in Week 1.

The former five-star prospect impressed against Chattanooga, completing 22-of-28 passes for 314 yards with three touchdowns to zero interceptions in a 69-3 win. It seems like whatever questions Josh Heupel's Vols had at quarterback entering the season have been answered following Joe Milton's departure to the NFL.

Iamaleava's performance especially impressed Saban, who thinks Tennessee is going to be "hard to beat" with an efficient passer holding the keys to the Vols' spread attack.

Saban praised Iamaleava and picked No. 12 Tennessee to beat No. 24 NC State during ESPN's "College GameDay" on Saturday.

“With the quarterback play that they're getting right now, I think they're going to be hard to beat," Saban said. "They're going to be hard to beat by all the teams in the SEC because of the spread offense they have. And I actually think they're better on defense than people are giving credit for.”

Huepel's three-season tenure in Knoxville has been full of offensive firepower. While Iamaleava is expected to keep that output high in 2024, the defense is still full of questions.

There is dominance up front with star edge rusher James Pearce Jr. leading the charge. The backend, though, is full of inexperience and will be tested by the SEC's top passers like Alabama's Jalen Milroe (Oct. 19) and Georgia's Carson Beck (Nov. 16).

Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall will try and find space against the Vols defense on Saturday.

Tennessee-NC State will kick off in Charlotte at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

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