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Georgia Tech QB Alberto Mendoza's opener showed a large pressure split: per PFF figures cited by Volquest, he completed 15 passes for 210 yards across 19 clean-pocket dropbacks, versus two completions for 27 yards across eight pressured dropbacks. Tennessee's ability to generate pressure is the preview's central defensive matchup; dropbacks are not pass-attempt totals.
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Georgia Tech's tackles were the protection concern against Colorado: LT Ethan MacKenny allowed two sacks and two other pressures, while RT Malachi Carney allowed two pressures. The interior allowed none. That gives Tennessee different challenges on the edges and inside rather than evidence that every Tech lineman struggled in protection.
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Tennessee DE Tyree Weathersby played 20 snaps against Furman, including 13 pass-rush snaps, with an untouched sack on the opening play and another hurry. Volquest identifies his matchup with Georgia Tech LT Ethan MacKenny as a test of whether that limited-opening-game production can carry over against tougher competition for four quarters.
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Tennessee's Xavier Gilliam recorded three sacks and five total tackles for loss in his debut against Furman. His interior rush now meets a Georgia Tech interior line that allowed no pressures against Colorado, making the inside matchup a separate test from Tech's tackle issues.
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Both starting quarterbacks enter this matchup making their second collegiate starts, and the preview emphasizes avoiding negative plays and long-yardage situations. Volquest expects Georgia Tech's line to improve under Brent Key, noting MacKenny started all 13 games at left tackle last season; that is an analyst expectation, not a confirmed improvement.