Buckle up, the Tennessee Vols are peaking in November
The Tennessee Vols' 59-3 win over UConn on Saturday left no doubt that UT football is peaking at the right time. We've seen signs over the last couple of weeks that the 2023 version of the Vols are starting to find their groove. And it was evident on Saturday that Tennessee is a much different […]
The Tennessee Vols' 59-3 win over UConn on Saturday left no doubt that UT football is peaking at the right time.
We've seen signs over the last couple of weeks that the 2023 version of the Vols are starting to find their groove. And it was evident on Saturday that Tennessee is a much different team entering November than they were a month ago.
Quarterback Joe Milton is looking more comfortable in this version of the Vols' offense. The deep shots that fans became accustomed to seeing in 2022 have become more frequent over the last couple of weeks.
Milton completed 11-of-14 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown. Jaylen Wright rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown. And Nico Iamaleava looked like a future superstar in his brief action, passing for 86 yards and a touchdown while adding an impressive 25-yard scramble.
Sure, it was just UConn, but after watching the Vols struggle to score 30 points against Austin Peay earlier this season, it was nice for Tennessee fans to watch the offense click on all cylinders against an overmatched opponent.
It feels like it's all starting to all come together for the Vols. And it couldn't be happening at a better time.
Tennessee goes on the road to face Missouri next week before returning to Knoxville for a massive showdown with Georgia.
If Georgia loses to Missouri or Ole Miss before that showdown with the Vols in Knoxville, then that game will essentially be for the SEC East division crown.
But even if Tennessee doesn't receive any help from Missouri or Ole Miss, a win against Georgia would allow the Vols to finish what was once a frustrating season on an extremely high note. The Vols could still win out and finish with their second straight 11-win season. And if that 11-win season includes a win against Georgia, I don't think you'll hear too many complaints about those losses to Florida and Alabama earlier in the season.
The Vols still need to continue to improve. Specifically, Tennessee needs to cut down on penalties (11 for 90 yards against UConn). They can't do that against Missouri and Georgia and leave with a win. But still, the Vols are playing their best football down the stretch. And it could make for a really fun final three weeks of the season.
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