This just in. Tennessee is going to beat Connecticut. That’s no news. However, the fact that Josh Heupel may be on the verge of topping what he did last season is headline material.
After beating UCONN, the Vols will be 7-2 and 4-2 in the SEC. No, that’s not where Tennessee’s fan base will want to be in future Novembers, but it’s noteworthy now for a couple of reasons. Both are about personnel.
Other than a lingering ankle injury to Cedric Tillman last season, the Vols stayed healthy during their 2022 renaissance season that led to a 10-2 record and a berth in the Orange Bowl. Health, however, hasn’t been on the Vols’ side this season.
I won’t go into all the details but injuries have been a big part of the Vols struggles when they have stumbled. No injury was more noteworthy than center Cooper Mays’ abdominal issue in preseason camp. If Mays was 100-percent healthy in September, the Vols don’t lose to Florida, which would mean they’d be firmly in hunt for a College Football Playoff selection, which will be announced on Tuesday for the first time this season. The Vols were No. 1 in the first selection show of the season last season. That won’t be the case this year, but there’s more reasons why that’s the case.
Tennessee has also had to replace a bevy of talent – as I’m sure you’re aware. If the Vols had former quarterback Hendon Hooker and receiver Jalin Hyatt, do they win at Alabama? Maybe not, but given what I’ve seen from both teams, I’d like the Vols chances. Heupel will be responsible for such personnel gaps very soon, maybe as soon as 2024, but he’s still in the final stages of rebuilding a wrecked roster.
I’m certainly not making excuses for Heupel. Every coach has to deal with injuries and an always every-changing roster. However, Heupel has had to deal with more than his fair share of physical maladies and the Vols are still ranked No. 19 in the AP Poll and No. 16 in the Coaches’ Poll.
If Tennessee can somehow win out, which would include a victory over No. 1 Georgia, then there’s no question that Heupel coached the Vols up better than he did last year. However, even with a loss to the Bulldogs, Heupel’s work this year stands up to 2022 – as long as the Vols don’t hit another stumbling block. It’s certainly worth nothing that Missouri is ranked ahead of the Vols and that game will be played in Columbia. If Heupel can’t get a win against the Tigers, then we’re having a different conversation in a couple of weeks. As for now, I’ll take the job Heupel has done this season every bit as much as what he did in 2022 – even with a Georgia loss.
There is another aspect of Heupel’s 2023 season that should be taken into account. Unlike last season, Heupel hasn’t taken anyone by surprise and neither has Tennessee’s offense. The Vols aren’t as explosive because of a different set of personnel on the field, but Heupel has still found a way to manufacture yards, points and wins with a team that is primarily predicated on running the football.
There have been times in which Heupel looked like he took a step back from last season; I’ll give you that. However, as a whole, it’s easy to make a strong argument that he’s been a better coach this year than last season. That – even more than beating Alabama last season – is cause for Tennessee fans to be ecstatically happy with the future of their program.
One Response
Good article. Glad to see some level headed reporting.