Odds: Joe Milton favored to win starting quarterback job

Let the Joe Milton hype continue.

The incoming transfer from Michigan has been generating buzz ever since he stepped on campus at Tennessee back in June, even working in non-official team settings. Now with just one single practice under his belt, a growing segment of analysts and the fanbase expect Milton to land the starting job.

Vegas agrees.

Quarterback competition odds were released this week for a handful of hot quarterback battles across the country, and Milton led the way for Tennessee at +100. Harrison Bailey was a clear second at +150, while Hendon Hooker and Brian Maurer rounded out the odds.

Milton won the job last season at Michigan before being benched midseason. He threw for just over 1,000 yards, tossing four touchdowns and four interceptions. Bailey was eased into the Tennessee offense last year, operating in a completely different, ultra-conservative system. Bailey was able to go through a full spring with Josh Heupel this year, something that Milton was unable to do.

Now we get to see each man operate over the next few weeks in camp, as the staff really digs in to which guy they can trust more. With the season opener coming against a really bad Bowling Green team, it’s entirely possible that we see both get significant time. However, Heupel said on Tuesday that his current plan is to have a starter named by game week.

Milton offers more physical tools, but Bailey has had more time in the system to get comfortable.

For what it’s worth, offensive coordinator Alex Golesh gave a glowing review of Milton on Tuesday.

What quarterback is your money going on?