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Josh Heupel and Vols will embrace the moment, Vol nation should as well.

On3 imageby:Brent Hubbs•10/09/22•

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Bryan Lynn | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Over the course of the week, every single nugget of the Tennessee-Alabama match up is going to be broken down, analyzed, dissected, and discussed from every possible angle. 

How can the Vols win? Is this Tennessee’s year? Etc, etc. 

But among all the talk and discussion, don’t forget to do the most important thing — soak it in. 

In the words of the infamous Harry Hogge…

This is what it’s all about.

Tennessee football and Rocky Top is at the center of the college football universe and if the last 10+ years has taught me anything, it’s to never take that for granted.

College Gameday is in town.

So is SEC Nation. National media everywhere will be talking about this game and why not. Tennessee and Alabama are getting together as unbeaten top 10 teams for the first time since 1989. Let that resonate for a moment. 

Milli Vanilli was topping the charts the last time this happened and unlike the musical duo, these Vols are no frauds. 

At 5-0 and ranked 8th in the coaches poll and 6th in the Associated Press poll, Tennessee is second in the country in scoring at 46.8 points a game. The Vols have scored 30+ points in 8 straight games. They are 23rd in rushing and 6th nationally in yards per completion. Tennessee is 33rd nationally in third down defense, they are second in the SEC in run defense, and red zone defense. Hendon Hooker is one of three quarterbacks nationally to have not thrown an interception this season.

Saturday’s 40-13 win at LSU was the most complete performance by the Vols under Josh Heupel. 

The Vols enter this week’s match up with a ton of confidence and in a different space mentally than they have been against Alabama. 

Yes, Tennessee is a touchdown underdog but there’s belief internally and externally that this year’s Vols can win this game. 

And that’s the way it’s supposed to be. That’s what Josh Heupel has done. That’s what good quarterback play has done and that’s what having an identity has done. 

“I think our players have great belief in each other,” Heupel said. “At the end of the day our challenge is to be +1 at the end of a football game. However that looks.

“Our guys are prideful, they care. They work and compete and that’s why they’re going to continue to get better.” 

So here it is, the third Saturday in October and for the first time in a while, it’s a week with belief instead of dread so pull a Josh Heupel, embrace it and take it all in. I know I will.

This is what it’s all about.

“Everybody knows who’s coming to town and the opportunity that we have,” Heupel said. “I expect next Saturday to be an electric atmosphere. I can’t imagine it wouldn’t be louder and more hostile than it was for Florida. I’m looking forward to it.” 

And so are 100k+ of your new best friends. 

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