Tennessee Vols need to change one thing and they'll be a playoff contender again in 2023

The Tennessee Vols' 31-14 win over the Clemson Tigers on Friday night in the Orange Bowl didn't technically mean anything. But Vols fans know that it meant everything. Tennessee's win against Clemson in the Orange Bowl showed the rest of the country that the Vols weren't a one-hit wonder this season. It showed that their […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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The Tennessee Vols' 31-14 win over the Clemson Tigers on Friday night in the Orange Bowl didn't technically mean anything.

But Vols fans know that it meant everything.

Tennessee's win against Clemson in the Orange Bowl showed the rest of the country that the Vols weren't a one-hit wonder this season. It showed that their success wasn't just because Hendon Hooker was a special player. It wasn't a fluke.

The Vols have staying power. And they're going to be a problem in the SEC for years to come.

Before Friday night's win against Clemson in Miami, I think the expectation from many was that Tennessee would take a step back next season without Hooker under center. The feeling was that Joe Milton would hold things down in 2023 and then five-star phenom Nico Iamaleava would give the Vols a chance at a national championship starting in 2024.

I'm not sure that'll be the case, though.

2023 could be a championship season for Tennessee after all.

Dec 30, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III (7) throws a pass against the Clemson Tigers during the second half of the 2022 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III (7) throws a pass against the Clemson Tigers during the second half of the 2022 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Milton showed on Friday night that he can perform at a high level against an elite defense.

Milton wasn't perfect, but he was more than good enough against the Tigers.

There's just one thing that Milton needs to do to make the Vols a serious threat to make the playoff

Milton needs to work on knowing when to tuck it and run. There were several times against Clemson that Milton appeared to panic when the pocket collapsed and his indecisiveness led to sacks. Clemson has one of the best defensive fronts in the nation, but if you're going to win a national championship, you have to beat those defensive fronts. And knowing when to run is part of that.

If Milton can improve his field awareness and get a better feel for when to run — he can't hesitate — then the Vols' offense could once again be unstoppable next season.

Maybe even more than it was this season — Milton has Cam Newton-type size. And we saw what Cam did in 2010 at Auburn with an offense full of players who never sniffed the NFL.

If I'm Josh Heupel and the Vols' offensive staff, that's what I'm working on with Milton all offseason.

The future is bright at Tennessee. This is what Vols fans have been dreaming of for the last 15 years. The Vols are back. And this time, it's not wishful thinking.

Featured image via Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

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