While the athletes are the stars on the field, the voices of Neyland will play a pivotal role in painting the narrative, turning touchdowns into poetry and rivalries into timeless sagas. This Saturday, as No. 11 Tennessee Vols (8-2) wraps up its regular-season home slate against UTEP Miners (2-8), two dynamic voices with inversely proportional records will be at the helm, setting the tone for the action on ESPN+. The Vols coach, Josh Heupel, wasn’t projected to be in the field after the CFP rankings.

Leading the broadcast will be seasoned play-by-play maestro Lowell Galindo. A graduate of Emerson College, Galindo brings a wealth of experience, having spent over a decade covering college football for ESPN. From his early days on ESPN to anchoring the Longhorn Network from 2011 to its conclusion in 2024, Galindo has been the voice behind countless iconic moments. His sharp delivery and knack for capturing the drama of the game make him a fan favorite. “You can always count on Lowell to give you the play while never losing sight of the story,” a colleague once said. This Saturday, expect Galindo to bring his A-game as he guides viewers through Tennessee’s quest for a ninth win.

Joining him in the booth is none other than Fozzy Whittaker, the former NFL running back turned college football color analyst. A veteran of Super Bowl 50 with the Carolina Panthers, Whittaker transitioned to broadcasting after hanging up his cleats. Since 2018, he has carved out a niche with his insightful breakdowns, first with the Longhorn Network and Big 12 Radio, and now with ESPN. Whittaker’s ability to translate on-field strategy into digestible analysis has endeared him to fans. His unique perspective as a former player adds layers of depth to every broadcast.

Together, Galindo and Whittaker form a compelling duo, blending experience and energy to enhance the viewing experience. There will be nervous moments for Heupel’s side as right now, only the Playoff rules that allocate automatic bids to the five highest-ranked conference champions, regardless of rankings, are keeping them on the field. They will need to win against the Miners and Vanderbilt to close the regular season, but they could need help to reach the field.

Nico Iamaleava’s post-Georgia effort can help Tennessee Vols

Nico Iamaleava, the redshirt freshman quarterback, showed he can. When he got the green light to take the field in Columbus after shaking off a stint in concussion protocol from Tennessee’s win over Mississippi State. In the tough 31-17 loss to Georgia, Iamaleava managed 167 passing yards. Head coach Josh Heupel didn’t hold back in praising his young QB, calling him a “warrior” for his resilience.

“There’s a lot we’re close on,” Heupel shared after the game. “But we need to clean things up in protection. Still, I thought Nico did really well.” High praise for a quarterback still finding his groove under pressure.

So far this season, Iamaleava has posted impressive stats—completing 66.7% of his passes for 2,046 yards, with 11 touchdowns against just four picks. He’s proving to be a reliable presence under center, even in challenging matchups.

If we can push against the No.3 ranked Bulldogs, then he can certainly help against UTEP, which is what the Vols fans would be hoping.