There’s something about the Tennessee Vols that the national media refuses to admit.

Or maybe they just don’t see it.

Right now, Tennessee is viewed as a middle-of-the-pack SEC team. Based on the results, that’s fair.

The Vols are 4-1. The offense hasn’t played well, and tough games against Alabama and LSU are still on the schedule.

But when I look at this team in early October, I see a team that’s very capable of making the College Football Playoff.

Yes, Tennessee has flaws. The quarterback situation, for example, still has to be figured out.

But this Tennessee defense is elite.

Two weeks ago, the Vols bottled up the No. 1 team in the nation — a Texas offense with future first-round draft picks at quarterback, offensive tackle, and wide receiver. Outside of two drives where the Longhorns found some running room and hit a couple of shots downfield, the Vols had their way with that offense.

I mean, they held one of the top national title contenders in check. And they made quarterback Arch Manning’s life hell as Tennessee’s defense finished with six sacks against Texas (that gets overlooked a bit because the Vols’ offense gave up 10 sacks in the same game). 

I think this defense is good enough to win a national championship. I think they showed that against Texas. 

Tennessee also has a competitiveness that is elite. That’s why the Vols beat Auburn this past weekend in an ugly matchup. It’s also why they had a chance to beat Texas on the final play of the game. They play hard, they play with effort, and they don’t give up when things aren’t going to plan.

Josh Heupel’s offensive scheme is working – the quarterback just has to execute it

I believe the biggest reason why the national media is dismissing the Vols as a playoff contender is because of the offensive struggles. 

But here’s the part the national media is missing: Tennessee’s offensive scheme is working.

Go back and watch the Texas game and the first half of the Auburn game. There are plays to be made. Receivers are getting open in space. True freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, who is still growing as a player, just didn’t see the field well in those games. 

Tennessee’s quarterback – whether it’s Brandon or George MacIntyre – just needs to step up and hit those shots.

If the Vols can do that, they’re suddenly one of the most dangerous teams in the country. They don’t need a record-setting offense. All they need is to average 30 points a game.

That’s it.

Score four touchdowns, kick a field goal in the red zone, and Tennessee has a chance to beat any team in the country with this defense.

At this point, Tennessee’s biggest problem is quarterback play. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Brandon or MacIntyre – whichever one it is just has to get over the mental hurdles. Play free, trust what you see, trust your teammates, and go make plays.

If the quarterback can execute Josh Heupel’s scheme, Tennessee has all the tools to be a playoff team.

No one in the national media is looking at it that way, though. All they see is an offense that has struggled. And they’re essentially writing off Tennessee as a result. 

Who knows? Maybe they’re right and the offense doesn’t come around this season. There’s no guarantee that it will. 

But if it does, a lot of people at ESPN and across the national media are going to be shocked that the Vols are suddenly a playoff contender.