Tennessee Football: No reason to risk Brian Maurer against Alabama

Brian Maurer is a game-time decision for Tennessee, but there’s no need to risk Maurer’s health for the rest of the season for one game.

The Tennessee-Alabama game is one of rich history and tradition. Both teams will do whatever is necessary to win the Third Saturday in October game, but it might not be worth it for the Vols.

Brian Maurer is a game-time decision, which means he will probably play some on Saturday. I would love to see him play and watch him compete against a team like Alabama, but there’s no need to risk his health for the rest of the season.

If Maurer is capable of leading Tennessee to victory and miraculously does that on Saturday if he plays, then I will obviously be singing a different tune, but I don’t want to risk him getting injured again.

I know the argument is Jarrett Guarantano won’t give Tennessee a chance to win while Maurer will provide the vols with a little life, but we still haven’t seen much of JT Shrout. Give that kid a chance to play some on Saturday.

I don’t want to say Tennessee should punt this game and take what’s coming for you and prepare for South Carolina, and I know Jeremy Pruitt won’t do that, but risking long-term injuries for the Alabama game just doesn’t seem worth it to me.

Maurer is the future for the Vols, at least for this season until Harrison Bailey gets to town, so saving him for the last four or five games of the season will be pivotal for Tennessee’s chances to get to a bowl game.

According to Pruitt, Maurer had a concussion, and that’s one thing you don’t want to play around with. If he has a concussion and he’s not 100% and cleared by the doctors, I don’t care what game it is. There is still a lot of season left. There’s no need to risk it.

I think the Vols can find success on offense even with JG in at quarterback, but I don’t think they have enough firepower to keep up with Alabama. In conclusion, don’t play Maurer. You don’t have to.