Tennessee’s most significant weakness coming into the season was depth on the Vols’ offensive line. That weakness reared its ugly head on Saturday night in a number of ways.

The No. 6 Vols beat No. 15 Oklahoma 25-15 despite having to juggle offensive tackles. The Vols were expected to have LSU transfer Lance Heard ready at left tackle, but he didn’t end up making the trip as he has been overcoming an ankle injury. Then, the Vols were forced to play sophomore Larry Johnson III when starting right tackle John Campbell, Jr., was forced out of the Oklahoma game with a leg injury in the first half.

That made things, well, challenging. The Vols moved starting left tackle Dayne Davis to right tackle when Campbell went out. Then, Johnson took Davis’ original spot at left tackle.

“All in all, I thought the guys that went in and played and replaced those guys played solid tonight,” Heupel said. “Between the adjustment of our personnel and structure, getting everybody in sync, it took us a little bit in the beginning parts, but they performed well. I look forward to hopefully having both of those guys back here by the time we get back on the field.”

The Vols’ offensive line will get some much-needed rest this week with with a bye on the schedule. Then, Tennessee will travel to play Arkansas on Oct. 6. 

Tennessee’s offensive line should be healthier by the time the Vols head to Fayetteville to play the Razorbacks. As for the entire defense, they might be ready to play another game right now. Tennessee’s defense is No. 1 in the nation in total defense, allowing just 176 yards per game.

Heupel admitted that Tennessee’s dominant defense has affected his play calling on offense, which was rather conservative against Oklahoma. The Vols tallied a trio of long passing plays. However, this wasn’t the kind of explosive offensive performance that Tennessee fans have become used to under Heupel. 

Tennessee beat the Sooners by running the football and playing aggressively on defense. The Vols were able to do so thanks to the players that they have on their roster, which was pretty depleted when Heupel took the Tennessee job before the 2021 season.

“Most versatile that we’ve been because of our personnel,” Heupel said. “The trust that we have in the ability to move guys into different spots. And then Nico, having great command and understanding of everything that’s going on, gives you that luxury.”

Heupel was, of course, referring to quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who had a rather average night by most standards. The redshirt freshman, who was competing in his first true road game as a starter, completed 13 of 21 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown. With the Vols’ makeshift offensive line, pressure was a factor. Iamaleava was sacked three times.

Tennessee’s win could be viewed in a couple of ways. While the Vols’ defense is dominating opponents this season and ranked tops in the NCAA, there may be cause for concern for some when the Vols don’t ring up 50 points against every opponent. That, however, seems a bit off after Tennessee beat its first top 15 opponent on the road since the Vols beat Georgia in Athens in 2006.

“We’ve got a good football team, got high expectations,” Heupel said. “They continued to compete extremely hard every day to grow, to become better. This was our first road test in the league. Tonight was about this ’24 football team. Really proud of of how they perform.”

Tennessee will probably blowout another opponent this season with Iamaleava torching opposing defenses. However, the Vols have proven they can win in a multitude of ways. That was apparently always a part of the plan. There is, however, one common theme.

“I think in this league you’ve got to be able to win in different ways,” Heupel said. “As the season unfolds, each game is different. Each opponent matchups, all of that. 

“We need to be the most physical football team on the field every Saturday. It’s one of the cornerstone blocks of being able to go win.”

The Vols have gone from flashy to physical during Heupel’s time at Tennessee. He was hired before the 2021 season and promised to compete for championships. Now in 2024, Heupel seems to have the defense to do just that. 

As for that weakness with offensive line depth, the Vols can address that with some extra rehab time this week. They might also come up with another new, innovative way to beat teams in the near future. Heupel certainly doesn’t seem afraid of change.