Josh Heupel is a master at media relations. He can fill an entire press conference with good, clean words without creating a single headline.

Count on his Tuesday morning performance at SEC Media Days (10:30, more or less, SEC Network) to be calm and poised – but maybe not all that exciting.

When asked why Nico is not one of the three Tennessee talking players in Dallas, expect the coach to say he is really excited about what the young quarterback has done up to this point. He may mention hard work, growth, even new muscles.

The coach will tell the overflow crowd of professional sportswriters, bloggers, TV and radio reporters that Nico Iamaleava is unique in many ways, frame, skill set, ability to move, extend plays and throw from different arm angles.

Heupel may refer to Nico’s success against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl. He may even recall the full sponsor’s name of that Orlando event.

Never will the coach say Nico should have started several games last season.

If pressed, Josh will say that Nico, for a young guy, high profile in recruiting, was able to quickly gain respect from those around him, that he is a magnet who draws people to him, especially receivers, running backs and offensive linemen.

If you are keeping score, 10 quarterbacks will participate in SEC Media Days.

When Heupel is almost certainly asked about his relationship with Oklahoma, he’ll probably say it is not complicated. No way will he go into details about September 21 being his first time back at the university since Bob Stoops dismissed him after the 2014 season.

Josh was an Oklahoma all-American quarterback, Associated Press player of the year, runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, highly regarded assistant coach and co-offensive coordinator. Most of us thought the head coach designated Heupel as fall guy for a disappointing 8-5 season.

Oklahoma averaged 36.4 points per game, 21st in the nation. If you are keeping score, part two, Oklahoma gained 454 yards and defeated Tennessee, 34-10.

Alas, the Sooners lost to Clemson, 40-6, in a bowl game. Stoops’ brother coached OU defense. He did not get fired.

The pink slip led to a chip on Josh’s shoulder. That was 10 years ago. There is a scar. But I can now hear him say “I have nothing but great memories of the people there. Everybody helped shape who I am.”

He might add that his father and sister still live in Oklahoma – and so do a lot of close friends and former teammates.

Bob Stoops actually rubbed a little ointment on the sore place a few days ago.

“I’m happy for Coach and his staff. They’ve done a great job at Tennessee. Josh has done well everywhere he’s been.

“Obviously, it’ll be neat that Tennessee is the first SEC game for OU. And I’m sure our fans – they should and I’m sure they will give Josh a huge welcome, an ovation. He deserves that.”

Hamm, that has healing potential.

If a Texas reporter tries to bait Heupel about whether Texas or Tennessee is the real UT, the coach will be ready.

“There’s only one UT, one correct shade of orange.”

Josh probably won’t mention what Tennesseans did to get Texas out of Mexico.

Goals for these Volunteers?

Listen for this: Standard at Tennessee is to win championships. It’s pretty clear. I think we are top 10 in the history of college football in wins, first round draft picks, bowl victories. The standard is to compete at the highest level and win championships.

Coach, what about the passing attack, running game, defense and special teams?

Heupel might say you’ve got to play all phases together. Tennessee is always trying to find a way to be plus one. At the end of the day, every side has got to grow together.

He might add just a touch of insight: People get caught up in perimeter play, quarterback development and quarterback numbers. In times past, he has said that everybody who studies what the Vols do understands that the secret to his sauce is the ability to run the football.

Coach sometimes points to line coach Glen Elarbee … unbelievable job … been together nine years.

Hopefully, no one will ask Heupel why in the world he brought Kennan Pili, the linebacker who played only part of one game last season, as a defensive spokesman when he could have featured James Pearce Jr., top edge rusher in the country.

Coach could say Pearce would have been great or he could say people don’t realize how important Pili is to this upcoming team.

Coach won’t say he can count on Pili to carefully say only proper things. He answered many media questions in his time at BYU. Keenan Pili is 26.

Marvin West welcomes questions from readers but you can’t be certain what he will say. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com