The Tennessee Vols created some "controversy" this week when they scored a touchdown with less than a minute to play in their win against the Missouri Tigers.

Vols running back Dylan Sampson's late touchdown pushed the Vols' lead to 66-24.

The feeling by many analysts and fans was that UT was making a statement to the College Football Playoff committee by dropping 66 on one of the best defenses in the SEC.

After the game, Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz said he didn't have a problem with the Vols running the score up.

“He (Heupel) coaches his team, I coach my team,” said Drinkwitz. “So, it is our job to defend what they do. He runs his offense the way they’ve always run it. I got no issues with their football team and what they do. That’s up to each individual head coach and he was just running his offense. I’m good. … It’s our job to flip the switch. It’s our job to not let that happen."

Vols senior tight end Jacob Warren spoke with Off the Hook Sports' Dave Hooker on "The Vol Report" after the Missouri game and he confirmed that the playoff was on Tennessee's mind when they were putting points on the board late.

Click here to accept Marketing cookies and load this content

"To me, the game is about winning by as much as you can," said Warren. "The game is about scoring as many points as you can and beating your opponent."

"So at the end of the day, I know there's people that were upset that we ran the score up and that we scored with you know, 30, 40, 50, however many seconds left on the clock, but we're trying to go play in the College Football Playoff. We have to win these games by as much as we can. And in the most dominating fashion that we can. And just show who we are, show that we're the best offense in the nation."

"Statistically, we would love to be the No. 1 offense in the nation," added Warren. "Which we have been. I don't know where exactly we are now, but that includes points, that includes yards, that includes yards per catch, yards per carry…if that's disrespectful, you shouldn't be playing the game I guess."

Hooker also asked Warren if he was aware of Drinkwitz's comments from this past summer about the NCAA recruiting investigation surrounding Tennessee.

"I surely am aware," said Warren about Drinkwitz's comments.

It's clear that this Tennessee team has a lot of pride when it comes to being the top-scoring offense in the nation. And it's also clear that when another program slights the Vols, they take it personal and use it as motivation.

From Alabama linebacker Henry To'o To'o's "it's just business" comments to Kentucky quarterback Will Levis insinuating that Tennessee doesn't play "real football", the Vols have had no shortage of bulletin board material this season. And they've used it as motivation to put themselves in a prime position to make the College Football Playoff.

These Vols are different. They've got swagger and they're determined. And that's why I think this team could be in store for a special ending to their season.

Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK