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Tennessee's Josh Heupel and Clemson's Dabo Swinney offer final preview to the Orange Bowl

On3 imageby:Brent Hubbs•12/29/22•

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MIAMI — In their final media availability before kickoff, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney held a joint press conference to discuss their team’s preparations and well as Friday night’s match up to in the Capital One Orange Bowl. 

Kickoff for Friday night is set for 8pm est. with coverage on ESPN. 

Tennessee will be without receivers Jalin Hyatt and and Cedric Tillman meaning the Vols are scheduled to start Ramel Keyton, Bru McCoy and Squirrel White at receiver with Walker Merrill likely the fourth receiver. 

Joe Milton will get his second straight start at quarterback in place of Hendon Hooker. Hooker has been in Miami this week helping Milton with preparations. While many fans see this game as a make it or break it moment for Milton, quarterback coach Joey Halzle doesn’t view it that way. 

“Gameday is always the test. It’s not a situation where we have said hey here’s your chance,” Halzle said. “Why would you put that on him. It’s already the Orange Bowl against Clemson in front of thousands of people on national TV. There’s already enough natural pressure. He’s been great I look forward to watching him play Friday night.”

Tennessee will also be without Jeremy Banks, who wasn’t scheduled to travel to South Florida when he announced he was opting on Christmas Eve. 

“We’ve had a lot of moving parts on defense all year,” defensive coordinator Tim Banks said. “So, we just have to be ready to play, we feel like some guys whether it’s [Juwan Mitchell], [Aaron] Beasley, [Solon] Page… Those guys have played a lion’s share in the reps. Elijah [Herring] will be in there. And I expect those guys to play well. This won’t be the first time he’s not in there. It’s just up to those guys to carry on with the standard.”

Tennessee is seeking their sixth win this season over a ranked opponent and their first 11 win since 2001.

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