There is an antiquated notion that needs to be put to rest when it comes to Tennessee’s football team this year. Actually, there are two.
Let’s start with the concept of a “trap game” on the Vols schedule as they travel to play Arkansas on Saturday at 7:30 EST. Let’s settle this.
There is no “trap game” for a team that expects to win a national championship, which Tennessee has eyes on. Yes, there is a 12-team playoff in place that can catch those that slip up during the regular season. However, the Vols know they have to win 10 games in the regular season, and possibly 11, to make the College Football Playoff.
A “trap game” is a game that a team could overlook. How in the world could a team overlook a trip to play an SEC team that is a handful of points from being undefeated? Tennessee center Cooper Mays was as taken aback by the notion as I have been this week heading into the matchup with the Razorbacks.
“We’re playing Arkansas,” Mays said on The Vol Report when asked whether Saturday’s matchup could be deemed as a “trap game” by the Vols. “I don’t really know what a trap game is.”
Agreed.
“They’re an SEC football team,” Mays said. “They’re very talented. And they’re going to be a really good test for us. Definitely, nobody’s displaying it like that to us, that’s for sure.”
Part of the reason that the Arkansas game could be a “trap game” is that the Vols host Florida next Saturday. The reasoning behind the notion that Tennessee could overlook a quality opponent on the road is that the Vols are looking ahead to their matchup against the Gators. That’s antiquated and a bit idiotic when it comes to this current group of Vols.
This Tennessee football team doesn’t look at Florida as older fans might. Sure, it’s been a nasty series lately, as the Vols have lost six of their last seven to the Gators. However, that’s practically ancient history given how far the Vols have come as head coach Josh Heupel enters his fourth season at Tennessee.
Let me remind everyone that Jeremy Pruitt is no longer leading the Vols, that Tennessee beat Florida rather soundly in 2022 despite the 38-33 score. Moreover, the Vols almost assuredly would have beaten Florida last year had Mays not been out of the game with an abdominal injury.
There was a time in which players would say aloud that Tennessee coaches would get “tight” leading into a matchup against the Gators. That was about four coaching staffs ago. Of course, the Florida game is big for the Vols, but no bigger than the Arkansas game, which is probably a tougher test considering the game is on the road.
Tennessee could lose against Arkansas, although I highly doubt that. Oddsmakers agree with me, as the Vols are 13 1/2-point favorites. Sure, the Vols could lose just like any other team can have a bad day. Ask Ole Miss. However, if Tennessee falls short on Saturday, it won’t be because they got “trapped” by looking ahead to Florida.
