Tennessee vs. UT-Martin -- The Cheat Sheet
All week, Tennessee has been on top of the college football world as the buzz has continued around the the Vols 52-49 win over Alabama.
Today, the Vols return to action in a homecoming game with UT-Martin.
So what’s key for Josh Heupel’s squad to handle business as a heavy favorite after last week’s epic victory? Here are four in what we like to call the Saturday Cheat Sheet.
Find the juice
A week ago, finding the juice was the easiest thing in the world. Campus was electric. Gameday was in town. It was Alabama. So being passionate about playing was easy. Throw in the Alabama hype video from Henry To’oto’o and Tennessee was ready to run through a brick wall.
This week is different. There will be a good crowd there but the intensity of the atmosphere won’t be anything like last week so it’s on the Tennessee players to generate their own juice if you will.
It’s been a challenge for the leadership of this team to make sure younger guys handle this week of preparation with maturity and focus. The leadership’s final challenge is to make sure the team has their energy and intensity today.
Play clean
A direct sign of the maturity of this team in terms of handling success and expectations is how clean of a football game to they play. Are they sloppy tackling? Do they have a rash of penalties that are unforced errors (false starts, offsides, etc)?
There’s no debating the talent difference between these two teams. Tennessee can play somewhat sloppy and still win, but if you are Josh Heupel you are looking at how your team plays.
Are they focused or are they sloppy going through the motions?
This game sets up perfectly on the schedule. It’s hard to stay focused and play at peak performance for 12 Saturday’s, but Heupel doesn’t want his team to lack focus.
Top 10
- 1
Underranked SEC
Lane Kiffin protests CFP rankings
- 2New
Saban chirped
Big 12 comes after GOAT
- 3
DJ Lagway
Fan flashes Florida QB to Pope
- 4Hot
Strength of Schedule
CFP Top 25 SOS ranking
- 5
Alabama needs a prayer
Tide can make the CFP but needs help
The Vols performance today starts with playing clean and not sloppy.
End it early
Tennessee is obviously the heavy favorite. Again the schedule sets up well for Tennessee emotionally and physically to recover from the win over Alabama. So having this game sandwiched in the middle of the season is important especially with an early season open date.
The Vols need to end this game early and get the veterans off the field. Josh Heupel is an offensive coach which means he likes stats, but he should think big picture with where his team is and get his starters off the field as early as he can. To the surprise of all of us, the offense hasn’t missed Cedric Tillman, but you don’t want to get anyone hurt in this game having them on the field with the game not in doubt. End it early and get guys some rest.
Develop depth
If you handle business and end things early as you should then this is a great opportunity to further develop some much needed depth and continue to keep players engaged so they continue to grow.
Joe Milton needs work in case he were needed in some capacity. Those younger receivers need work for the future.
Dylan Sampson and Justin Williams-Thomas need opportunities as does Elijah Herring, James Pearce, Tyree West and on and on.
That’s why Tennessee needs to take care of business early and let the young guys truly go play.
