The over-the-top negative overreactions to Nico Iamaleava's week 1 performance need to stop

Similar to the overreaction to Arch Manning's Week 1 performance, time will tell if Iamaleava will be a top-tier quarterback, and that one game doesn't define him as a player.

FIrst let's take a look at the social media posts and overreactions to Iamleava's week one performance over Utah.

Iamleava went up against arguably a top 15 defense in week one in comparison to Aguilar who played against a defense that gave up 41 points against Pitt last season.

Tennessee fans are rooting for him to fail but if they "claim" they are happy he left, then why cheer for him to fail? It makes little sense if you think about it.

Then there are individuals who are clearling posting "fake" information and the extent that some people are going to is simply unnaccepatable due to them posting false information that they know is not true.

The comparison of Iamleava and Aguilar after one game doesn't account for the differences in the defenses of Utah and Syracuse, but time will show that the Utes have arguably a top 3 Big 12 defense this season.

No one is arguing that it was a great start but people are acting like he threw for only 44 yards with a QBR of 24.4 against a FCS opponent.

Nothing? Iamaleava throwing a 19-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Woods counts for nothing? We tend to have different interpretations of the word "nothing".

He is a good volleyball player but he will have an opportunity in the NFL in his future so Tennessee fans have a right to their opinion but we believe this opinion to be inaccurate.

Now, here is how he can improve and prove the doubters wrong in week 2.

He can easily improve his accuracy and consistency against the Rebels.

Iamaleava's biggest concern against Utah was his inconsistent passing. He was at times over- and underthrowing open receivers, but that can easily be chalked up to it being the season opener and playing against a top-tier defense that had all summer to prepare for UCLA's offense. He needs to find a better rhythm with his wide receivers and deliver the ball with more precision but the game against UNLV will get him the chance at redemption.

Handling the pressure and opposing teams pass rush if the offenseive line isn't giving him time in the pocker to throw.

He was sacked four times in the season opener and blitzed on a high percentage of his dropbacks against Utah, but he has a week to study film and make adjustments before his start against UNVL. While some of that is on the offensive line and their pass protection, he needs to improve his pocket presence, make quicker reads, and get the ball out of his hands faster and quicker.

Improvement in the running game will led to improvements in Iamleava in the passing game.

One of the few bright spots from his first game was his ability to escape the pocket and gain some yards on the ground. He had 47 yards on 13 attempts and was able to scramble for first downs in tough situations at times against the Utes' defense. UCLA should continue to utilize his running to open up the passing game, and that can be displayed in their week two game against UNLV.

He can take the short, high-percentage throws to open up the deep balls against the Rebels.

Instead of looking early for the big play, Iamaleava could focus on building confidence with short, high-percentage throws before attempting the home run throws. This will allow him to get into a rhythm, move the chains, and put points on the board early against UNLV's defense.

The expectation is that he will get more support from the offense overall in the final two non-conference games.

It's not all on him to carry the UCLA offense. The offensive line needs to give him more time to operate, and the receivers need to be reliable targets and help him out by making catches even if the ball isn't perfectly on target. However, look for him and the rest of the UCLA offense to make big leaps in their next two games.