“I don’t see them just unveiling it right now. Josh Heupel’s big on the gamesmanship. If that (Milton opting out) were to be the case, I think we would see it a little closer — I’m not saying he’s going to take it all the way to the day before the game — but I think he’s going to want Iowa to spend as much time preparing for one guy when it’s the other guy.” “I think that’s (Milton opting out) still a possibility,” added Price. “I don’t think it’s crazy talk to think that you could see Joe elect to not play in the bowl game.”
Joe Milton was a lot better than Vols fans gave him credit for, but he simply doesn’t hold a candle to what Hendon Hooker was able to do after transferring from Virginia Tech. Milton finished the 2023 regular season having thrown for 2,813 yards, 20 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions. More than anything, Milton’s indecision kept him from taking a step from good to great.
Nico Iamaleava starting the bowl game against a good Iowa defense would be like a 2nd Christmas for Vols fans, who have patiently (and sometimes impatiently) waited for Iamaleava’s time under center. Nico, as they call him in Tennessee, made a few appearances and threw for 163 yards and 1 touchdown on 16-of-26 completions this season.
