Tennessee fans are understandably frustrated after the Vols dropped another heartbreaker in Columbia on Saturday.

The Volunteers looked like they were on their way to a hard-fought win over South Carolina, but a botched fourth-down play and a late fumble gave the Gamecocks a 27-24 win.

It was a game where Tennessee didn’t get beat by South Carolina. Tennessee got beat by Tennessee.

But while the Vols ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard, there were some good things to take away from the loss.

South Carolina jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but Tennessee didn’t blink. The Vols punched right back and took the lead before halftime.

The response from the Vols after getting down early is what impressed ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt the most.

“God bless Vols fans,” said Van Pelt. “You had not one, not two, but three touchdowns taken off the board. South Carolina jumps out to a 14-0 lead. … I give Tennessee credit because they absorbed those punches and didn’t blink.

“Tennessee’s down 14-0, but they come back to take the lead, and unfortunately for them, touchdowns keep getting taken off the board. They had a fourth-and-one with a seven-point lead and they go for it, and the whole operation gets messed up, and (George) MacIntyre gets stuffed short, and then (LaNorris) Sellers somehow stays on his feet after [South Carolina] drives down there to get the tying touchdown, and then you get the strip sack fumble. … Tennessee’s ability to come back was impressive, but then man, they’ve got to be ill about the way it all played out.”

Van Pelt’s cohort, Stanford Steve, had a similar take.

“It’s tough because you mentioned they got jumped on (the 14-0 deficit), and it was popping (in Williams-Brice Stadium),” said Stanford Steve. “It’s a different Tennessee team, man. They do it running the football. The offensive line’s good. … I thought MacIntyre played well.”

Neither one of those guys are Tennessee fans. They’re just reacting to the game with no bias.

Which is why I think it’s worth looking at their perspective. The result doesn’t always tell the full story of a game.

Tennessee is 6-2 right now, but they’re a dangerous 6-2. They can beat any team in the country if they’re on the right side of the margins.

I’m not saying it’s a moral victory — the loss stings and the Vols certainly have areas where they need to improve. But this is a good football team. They’re a couple of plays away from being 8-0. It’s a team that fights hard, never quits, and plays with relentless effort. If the Vols can win out in November, they’ll be a team that no one will be excited to play in the College Football Playoff.