It's time for one complaint from fans and media about the Tennessee Vols to stop
It's officially time for a big complaint from (some fans) and (most) media about the Tennessee Vols to stop. Look, it's no secret that Tennessee hasn't been very dynamic in conference play this season. The Vols are averaging just 23 points per game in SEC games this season. Despite the downtick in scoring over the […]
It's officially time for a big complaint from (some fans) and (most) media about the Tennessee Vols to stop.
Look, it's no secret that Tennessee hasn't been very dynamic in conference play this season. The Vols are averaging just 23 points per game in SEC games this season.
Despite the downtick in scoring over the last month-and-a-half, Tennessee is 7-1 with wins against Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama, and Kentucky. The Vols could possibly afford another loss and still reach the playoff. If Tennessee wins out — a game against Georgia in Athens later this month looms large — they'll be playing in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta with a chance to earn a first round bye in the College Football Playoff.
That's what's on the table for the Vols over the last month of the season. All of their goals are still there to attain.
Yet the narrative has been that Tennessee is winning "ugly" and that they still have a lot they need to prove this season. That narrative will probably continue after the Vols' 28-18 win against Kentucky on Saturday night.
And that's nonsense.
Take a look around college football. This season has been bizarre. It's essentially survive and advance every week. Getting into the top five of the AP Top 25 poll seems like it immediately leads to a loss for most teams.
Tennessee slipped up against Arkansas. But otherwise, they keep getting the job done — just like the one-loss teams around them in the rankings. Yet Tennessee is the only team that gets hit with the winning ugly narrative.
Ultimately, it's just about winning. And Tennessee keeps winning. They get the job done on offense when they need to. And when they aren't getting the job done on offense, it's usually because a play just isn't getting made. Some missed throws, some dropped catches, and some dumb penalties are the reason for most of Tennessee's issues on offense. Those things are all correctable. And a switch can easily flip and those plays could start going the Vols' way more often at any time.
If that happens, Tennessee could seriously be unstoppable. They're that close to being an elite team. Maybe a few other teams can say the same thing. This season feels like it's ultimately going to come down to which team gets the hottest in December.
Around a dozen teams are seriously in the mix to be that team. And Tennessee is certainly one of those teams. It's time for (some) fans and (most) media to treat them that way.
