“They are in reverse right now”: Urban Meyer slams Josh Heupel’s “messy” Tennessee while urging caution for must-win Alabama matchup

Urban Meyer isn't holding back on his criticism of Tennessee Volunteers coach Josh Heupel’s handling of the team, especially ahead of their big matchup against Alabama. No. 11 Tennessee (5-1) is set to square off against No. 7 Alabama (5-1) this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET in Neyland Stadium.

Meyer, a former college football coach, expressed concerns about Tennessee's offensive struggles and, more specifically, the development of quarterback Nico Iamaleava. While Meyer was once high on Iamaleava’s potential, even considering him a future NFL first-round pick, his recent performances have left Meyer unimpressed.

After watching him face SEC opponents, Meyer labeled the situation "a mess" while speaking on "The Triple Option" podcast on Wednesday.

“They are in reverse right now,” Meyer said. “Twenty points per game the last three games. Twenty points per game, that’s usually in the first half. They just don’t look right, they look a mess.”

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava - Source: Imagn

He pointed out Iamaleava's underwhelming stats, with four straight games under 200 passing yards and only two touchdowns in that span. However, Meyer did note a positive: Iamaleava has been careful with the ball, throwing one interception during this stretch.

The quarterback did show promise in the season opener, leading Tennessee to a 69-3 blowout win against Chattanooga, where he completed 22 of 28 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns. However, Meyer believes those early flashes aren’t translating to bigger challenges.

With the Alabama game looming, Tennessee will need to find its groove fast. The Volunteers need to get back on track, and it starts with Iamaleava stepping up when it matters most.

Tennessee trusts in Nico Iamaleava despite the rough patch

After a hot start to the season that built up excitement around Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava, the redshirt freshman has hit some bumps, struggling in the past two games. Yet, the team’s faith in him hasn’t faltered.

"Nico has played well," Heupel said. "He hasn't played his best football the last couple of weeks."

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) - Source: Imagn

According to Heupel, Iamaleava hasn’t been at his best recently, but he’s still working hard for the whole team. Playing quarterback is never flawless, and the coach reminded fans that even greats like Hendon Hooker had their off days. The key, he says, is to keep confidence high and let the plays come naturally.

Alabama’s defense has looked shaky since the second half of its Georgia matchup, raising concerns for Tide fans as they gear up to face Tennessee. But if they can rattle Iamaleava, they could turn things around with a much-needed win.