How Tennessee's loss to South Carolina in 2022 could play an important role for the Vols in 2023
The Tennessee Vols' loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks last November easily goes down as one of the most painful losses in program history. Tennessee was well on their way to reaching the College Football Playoff for the first time and all they had to do was beat a South Carolina team that struggled mightily […]
The Tennessee Vols' loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks last November easily goes down as one of the most painful losses in program history.
Tennessee was well on their way to reaching the College Football Playoff for the first time and all they had to do was beat a South Carolina team that struggled mightily the week before against the Florida Gators.
The Vols, however, failed to show up. They felt like they were just going to walk into Williams-Brice Stadium and win by default. South Carolina came into that game focused and prepared and they were able to leave with a 25 point win against an overconfident Vols team.
While most Tennessee fans would prefer to never think about that game again, it's a moment that UT's players should remember this offseason.
And in fact, based on comments from Vols defensive lineman Bryson Eason last winter, it certainly seems like Tennessee will be using the loss to South Carolina as motivation in 2023.
At the very least, the Vols learned some hard lessons from that loss to South Carolina.
“That South Carolina game hurt a lot of guys in the room….it messed up what we wanted to do," said Eason last season before the Orange Bowl.
Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas spoke last week about not becoming complacent in 2023 because he felt like the Vols fell into the complacency trap at times in 2022.
"We can’t get happy, we can’t get complacent with how the season is going," said Thomas at SEC Media Days. "I feel like we found ourselves doing that at times last year. We fought through adversity and got through it. But we don’t need to put ourselves in situations ourselves.”
If there was one moment where the Vols were complacent last season, it was the week before the South Carolina game.
But as painful as that loss was for Tennessee, it taught UT's players and coaches that complacency can happen to any team at any time. When wins are seemingly coming easy, it's easy to put cruise control on and just settle into a routine.
When that happens, a crushing loss is almost inevitable.
The Vols learned that lesson the hard way last season. But the good news for Tennessee is that UT is determined to not let another South Carolina disaster happen in 2023 — the Vols are laser-focused heading into Josh Heupel's third season.
"It's no distractions, we have our goal of winning the SEC East…We believe in controlling what we can control, and that's us going out on the field [and doing] what we do," explained Thomas.
It certainly sounds like the Vols are on a mission in 2023.
Derrick Henry feels strongly about Vols QB Joe Milton
Tennessee Titans superstar running back Derrick Henry likes what he sees from Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton, the presumed starter in Knoxville this fall. Henry appeared on "Bussin with the Boys" this week with Titans offensive lineman Taylor Lewan and former Titans linebacker Will Compton and the topic of Milton and the Vols was brought […]
Featured image via Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
