Kirby Smart evaluates Joey Aguilar ahead of matchup vs. Tennessee
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Following an uninspiring week of matchups, the SEC is getting back to business in Week 3.
We will see Florida battle LSU and Texas A&M travel to Notre Dame on Saturday night. Ahead of those matchups, we get an afternoon appetizer of Georgia and Tennessee duking things out in Knoxville.
This “rivalry” has been anything but competitive recently. The Bulldogs have triumphed over the Volunteers 8 straight times and won every game by at least two possessions. Georgia’s margin of victory in those games is a massive 24.9 points, and an inconceivable 30.5 points in Neyland Stadium.
Anything can happen on any given Saturday, though, which is why Kirby Smart is paying particularly close attention to Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar. Smart told reporters on Monday he’s been “very impressed” with Aguilar through 2 starts.
“He’s playing really efficiently,” Smart said. Got great arm talent. He’s a really good athlete … He’s been very, very impressive in the two games they’ve played.”
Vols fans were a bit worried about the 2025 season when Nico Iamaleava departed the program for UCLA. Even when Aguilar left the Bruins in a de facto trade between the two schools, nothing was settled. But thus far, Aguilar has proven to be the superior option. One glimpse at their stat lines (and team records) shows it:
- Joey Aguilar (2-0): 39/59 (66.1%), 535 yds, 5 TD, 0 INT; 6 car., 34 yds.
- Nico Iamaleava (0-2): 40/63 (63.5%), 391 yds., 2 TD, 2 INT; 24 car., 102 yds., 1 TD
Tennessee posted 45 points against Syracuse, its lone FBS opponent thus far, in Week 1. UCLA has combined for 33 points in its two FBS games. It’s clear the Vols came out winners in the Iamaleava transaction, but they have a long week of work ahead of them before they can potentially do the same versus Georgia. Kickoff for the game is set for 3:30 p.m. E.T. on ABC.
