The biggest reason outside of offense that the Tennessee Vols are still undefeated
The first thing that comes to mind when talking about the Tennessee Vols this season is their offense. Tennessee is averaging 50.1 points per game (No. 1 in the nation) through seven games this season. It's safe to say that scoring points is the Vols' strength and the biggest reason they're undefeated. There's another big […]
The first thing that comes to mind when talking about the Tennessee Vols this season is their offense.
Tennessee is averaging 50.1 points per game (No. 1 in the nation) through seven games this season. It's safe to say that scoring points is the Vols' strength and the biggest reason they're undefeated.
There's another big reason outside of offense, however, that Tennessee is 7-0 this season.
This Vols team is incredibly focused and determined. They truly have a championship mindset.
It's remarkable. This is a program that hasn't had much success over the last 15 years. In fact, the Vols haven't even won 10 games since 2007.
And yet Tennessee is playing with the composure of a team that routinely makes the playoffs. They aren't getting too high after a big win — and the Vols have had several of their biggest wins of the last 15 years this season.
The reason Tennessee is able to have this mindset is because they came into this season expecting to win. They believe they can get to Atlanta for the SEC Championship. And they know that the biggest game for them is simply the next game on their schedule.
"Just stay humble and keep working," said Vols pass rusher Byron Young this week when asked about UT's success. "That's not the end goal (7-0). The end goal is to get to the SEC Championship and win a [championship]. We're going to keep fighting and doing what we do."
Vols head coach Josh Heupel talked about having that kind of mindset on Wednesday night during his weekly appearance on Vol Calls.
"The outside noise, there was a time in my coaching career where I might have said block it out, but that’s not real," said Heupel. "They hear it from everywhere. Their family, their friends, their girlfriend, their social media. It’s everywhere. To me, getting them to understand what wins for you the next time. As a competitor, you’re only as good as your next one."
"So we talk about consistent, competitive habits every single day," added Heupel. "The way that we prepare, being really thorough in that every single week. And we did that long before we had success and they had all that outside noise. The reason we’ve gotten to this point and have had success on the field — and there is outside noise and expectations about our program — is because they’ve handled themselves the right way and they’ve grown."
Tennessee is playing with a confidence right now that can't be faked. It's real and it's why the Vols are able to close out games this season against teams like Pittsburgh, Florida, and Alabama. Those are games that are probably lost if the Vols don't have the right mindset.
It's been incredible to watch this team grow over the last two years. They've gone from an afterthought in college football to the best story in the sport.
But there's still a lot of season left. And if the Vols want to look back on this season as truly special, they have to finish the job at hand. Fortunately, we know this team is built to handle success. If they falter, it won't be because they were looking ahead.
Heupel undoubtedly has this team locked in.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
