Tennessee vs. Iowa is less than 24 hours away from kickoff, as they will compete in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
The game is set to start at 1:00 p.m. ET, and Tennessee is entering the game as a six-point favorite.
The Vols have had many players transfer, opt-out, or be non-participants due to injury. The list is below.
Tennessee will give the keys to true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava for his first career start as a Volunteer.
He will be taking on a top 5-10 defense in the nation, as the Iowa Hawkeyes have been dominant all season.
The Hawkeyes will also be without some guys due to injuries, opt-outs, and transfers.
Watching how this matchup plays out as Iamaleava and the Volunteers look to start 2024 on the right path and slingshot themselves into the new season will be interesting.
Iamaleava will undoubtedly be tested by this Iowa defense, which will be a good starting point for his career as he attempts to knock off the Hawkeyes.
Pili, who stands at 6’3″ 237 pounds, is an incredible addition to the Tennessee Football defense.
Last year, he had four tackles for a loss, a sack, a pass deflection, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and 62 total tackles, 29 of which were solo.
He was coming back from an ACL injury in 2021, and he was All-Independent in 2020.
