KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As the Tennessee offense hasn’t been able to find a consistent groove in the passing game, Vols fans are asking why is the team sticking with Joe Milton at quarterback instead of starting backup Nico Iamaleava.

Milton is coming off a game where he threw for just 100 yards against Texas A&M.

Sources tell WBIR, and head coach Josh Heupel has echoed, that the program still has great trust in Joe Milton to get the job done. The belief is there because they’ve seen what Milton can do, they’re working on nailing down the consistency part of an entire game.

The Vols are not pinning the blame solely on Milton either as wide receivers have made mistakes and so have the offensive line that contributed to the woes of the passing game.

Sources also tell WBIR that Iamaleava is developing but he is just not ready to start games at the SEC level. Especially in a scenario to make a starting debut on the road against the likes of a team like Alabama or Kentucky next week. The Vols have full belief in Iamaleava’s abilities, but you can’t accelerate the development aspect of things.

Tennessee and Alabama square off in Tuscaloosa at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.