Josh Heupel says Tennessee has good mindset after loss

Tennessee was on the losing end of a game for the first time this season after last weekend’s 27-13 defeat at Georgia. It was the first time a team had bested the Volunteers in nearly a year. With that comes a new feeling that this team hasn’t experienced yet but, from what he said Monday, Josh Heupel isn’t at all concerned with his team’s ability to bounce back this week.

Heupel shared how he felt his team is doing in the aftermath of Saturday’s game in Athens during his press conference today. He said the team was obviously discouraged. However, he says the Vols were good even though the outcome against the Bulldogs wasn’t in their favor.

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“The energy in the building was good. Were guys disappointed after the game? Yeah. If they weren’t, then we would have real issues,” said Heupel. “That’s the great thing about this sport. You only get one opportunity. You play 10 times (and) it unfolds differently 10 times every time.”

A lot of Tennessee’s composure comes from how this weekend played out around the country. The Vols may have lost, but so did a couple of their competitors for one of the four College Football Playoff spots. The loss to Georgia may have taken them out of the SEC Title race for now. However, the ultimate prize still has a good chance to be on the tables. That’s why Heupel and his team are excited to get back after it this week and prepare for their next opportunity.

“For us, it’s go back and control what we can control. How we prepare, how we practice, and how we go play this Saturday,” Heupel said. “As a competitor, you’re only as good as the next one…It’s true after a win, true after a loss. For us, as a program, it’s time to get back.”

Tennessee will round out its season with games against Missouri, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt. Under the assumption that they win out, that leaves the Volunteers at 11-1 with plenty of great wins and only a loss to a contender in Georgia as their singular blemish. Depending on how things play out over the final month, Tennessee still has a great chance to make the CFP with that resume. Now, Heupel and his team have to go earn that chance with their play in November.