Tim Banks discusses Tennessee overcoming long layoff between games

The Capital One Orange Bowl will feature two of the nation’s top-ranked teams outside of the College Football Playoff, as No. 6 Tennessee will face No. 7 Clemson this Friday. It will be over a month since the Volunteers last played in a game, but despite the long layoff, Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks has still liked what he’s seen from his team in their preparation.

“So far it’s been great, they guys have really worked hard,” Banks said. “You worry a little bit with the layoff whether those guys will be ready to practice and work at the standard that’s required, but so far it’s been great.”

The Vols had their most dominant defensive performance of the season the last time they touched the field, keeping Vanderbilt off of the scoreboard in their only shutout of the season. Tennessee held the Commodores to just 254 yards of total offense in their 56-0 victory in their regular-season finale, and will be looking to do the same to the Tigers.

“We have really good leadership, guys are working hard. It was a cold day yesterday but guys responded the right way so I’m pleased right now in the direction we’re headed,” Banks said.

Tennessee’s defense has been headed in the right direction every season since Banks has become their coordinator, improving their yards and points allowed per game every season in the role. They will have to face a new challenge in the Orange Bowl, facing freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik in his first career start on Friday. And hopefully for the Vols, their extended weeks of rest and preparation will work in their favor as they look to secure their first bowl victory under head coach Josh Heupel.

Joe Milton reveals what changed in his preparation as he took over as starting quarterback

Tennessee backup quarterback Joe Milton‘s number was called after star quarterback Hendon Hooker suffered a torn ACL in the Volunteers’ game versus South Carolina. Milton’s first start of the season in Hooker’s place was in the regular season finale versus Vanderbilt, helping lead the Vols to a 56-0 victory. After the game, he was asked if his week of preparation leading into the game changed at all with him now being the starter.

“No, nothing changed. I’ve been doing this since Hendon’s been starting, since day one,” Milton said. “Ever since that day just been preparing myself to be ready for the moment and obviously that was tonight so I had to make sure I was right for tonight.”

Milton’s mentality and preparedness paid off for him and the Vols, and he was actually their starter to begin the 2021 season before getting replaced by Hooker in Week 3. He and Hooker both transferred to Tennessee that year and are extremely close, with the two being roommates who have pushed each other to constantly improve on and off the field. Even quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle spoke this offseason about how the two have made each other better.

Milton will start for Tennessee in the Orange Bowl as they take on a team also using their backup quarterback in Clemson, as he and Cade Klubnik will face off on December 30 in Hard Rock Stadium.