The most important thing the Tennessee Vols are doing this week after win against Alabama
The Tennessee Vols' 52-49 win against the Alabama Crimson Tide this past weekend has the potential to be a program-changing win. It also has the potential to be the peak of the Vols' 2022 season. The Alabama win was an emotional one for Tennessee. It was the first win over the Crimson Tide since 2006. […]
The Tennessee Vols' 52-49 win against the Alabama Crimson Tide this past weekend has the potential to be a program-changing win.
It also has the potential to be the peak of the Vols' 2022 season.
The Alabama win was an emotional one for Tennessee. It was the first win over the Crimson Tide since 2006. And it came in an electric atmosphere that many folks in the national media have called one of the best college football environments they've ever seen.
It would be easy for Tennessee's players to see the season as a success after knocking off Alabama.
With wins against Florida, LSU, and Bama, 2022 is already better than any season the Vols have enjoyed over the last 15 years.
But that's not how this Tennessee team operates. Their goal entering this season wasn't just to beat Florida and Alabama. They have their sights set on reaching the SEC Championship game.
And because that's been their goal all along, the players on the team have been able to reset after the massive win against Alabama.
"It was a good game (and) a good win for the team," said junior defensive back Tamarion McDonald on Tuesday. "We're moving on. We prepare the same every week no matter who we play, so just staying focused, staying locked in on the details and on us."
Junior offensive lineman Javontez Spraggins echoed McDonald's sentiments on Tuesday.
"Nothing changes for us," explained Spraggins. "We go to work from Monday to gameday. Nothing changes. Win a game? That's fine, we go back and we get ready for the next one. Before the season, we knew that we were going to have ups and downs playing the game of football this year, but we just didn't know what time they'd come."
"We've had those games and we've tried to play our best those games and they've come out the way they've come," added Spraggins. "Every game we're playing, we're just going to keep going forward and not dwell on the past and things that we've done."
When Tennessee's players talk about turning the page, it's not just lip service — they're walking the walk.
Vols offensive coordinator Alex Golesh, for example, explained how wide receiver Jalin Hyatt got right back to work this week after his five touchdown performance against the Crimson Tide.
"You see him (Hyatt) at practice today and it's like nothing ever happened," said Golesh on Tuesday. "All he's working on is perfecting his craft and coaching Squirrel (White) and coaching Jimmy Calloway. It's just who Jalin has become. If you can have that every day from an entire program, special things can happen."
This team is different. They're laser-focused on their goal — which is ending the Vols' 24-year SEC Championship drought. And from there, they hope to compete for a national championship.
The Vols aren't settling for a "good season". They're looking to be perfect. And so far, they are.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
