Why Tennessee beating Alabama in 2022 meant so much

Josh Heupel has brought some pride back to the Tennessee program in his three years in charge. No specific moment was bigger than the Alabama game in 2022, finally taking down the Crimson Tide, and ending a miserable rivalry losing streak. Neyland Stadium finally got to smoke their cigars, defeating Nick Saban in the most dramatic of fashions.

That night in Knoxville will be discussed for decades, no matter how the Heupel era plays out. But Heupel certainly put Tennessee back on the map with the win. It’s easy to joke about when programs are “back” after going through a rough spell.

Oct. 15, 2022, was when Tennessee declared itself back in college football.

“This game was the moment Tennessee announced it was back,” On3’s Andy Staples said. “It was Year Two of Josh Heupel, Year Two on Hendon Hooker as the starting quarterback. And Bryce Young, defending Heisman Trophy winner, is leading Alabama. Jahmyr Gibbs, future first-round draft pick. That Alabama team is loaded.

“They come in Neyland Stadium and it was a plant the flag moment.”

A few teams have been able to beat Alabama, feel as if the dragon had been slayed, but then gone on and not done much. Texas A&M might be the best example, beating Saban’s 2021 team in College Station only for things to crumble under Jimbo Fisher and he’s now no longer with the program.

Tennessee’s certainly felt different, though. Heupel went toe-to-toe with Saban and ultimately, his philosophy won that night. Then and there, we knew what the Vols would look like, and the expectations were instantly raised.

“It’s one of those deals where when you walked out of the stadium that night, Tennessee had a brand and an identity back,” Brent Hubbs of On3’s VolQuest. “They had found their brand, they had found their identity. It changed the course of where Tennessee was and what Tennessee is and the expectations that are there under Josh Heupel now.”

Illustrating how dominant Nick Saban, Alabama was over Tennessee

Beating Alabama meant more than just a positive outlook for Tennessee and the program’s direction. More than anything, fans just wanted a win over the cross-division rival. Heading into the matchup, Alabama had won 15 matchups in a row, dating back to Saban’s first season in Tuscaloosa.

Not many of them were particularly close, either. Especially the ones played in front of Vol Nation.

“The previous seven trips Nick Saban had come to Neyland Stadium, Tennessee had been beaten by an average of 29 points by Alabama,” Hubbs said. “Alabama had overtaken Neyland Stadium for seven trips. They were dominating over Tennessee.

“To slay that dragon, to win that game… It gave Tennessee such national relevance because they had gone and beaten Nick Saban. And they had done it in their own brand and their own style of play.”

Hubbs, who was on the field as fans stormed, felt a sense of relief. Tennessee was able to exhale, getting a huge monkey off their back. A moment of pure smoke-filled euphoria for over 100,000 people inside the stadium and many more outside of it.